When is Devshayani Ekadashi?
| Date | Note |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, 14 July 2027 | — |
| Sunday, 2 July 2028 | — |
Dates for New Delhi (tithi at sunrise). Smarta and Vaishnava calendars may differ by a day; check your local Panchang for the fast and parana times. All Ekadashi dates →
About Devshayani Ekadashi
Devshayani (Harishayani) Ekadashi in the bright half of Ashadha is the day Vishnu lies down to sleep on the serpent Shesha in the ocean of milk, beginning the four holy months of Chaturmas. In Maharashtra it is Ashadhi Ekadashi, the climax of the great wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur.
Lakhs of varkaris walk for weeks with the palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram to reach Pandharpur for darshan of Vitthal on this day. Chaturmas vows — giving up certain foods, extra reading or japa — begin now.
The story of Devshayani Ekadashi
The Purana tells of King Mandhata, a righteous ruler whose kingdom suffered a terrible three-year drought. Seeking the cause, he went to the sage Angiras, who told him to keep the Padma (Devshayani) Ekadashi of Ashadha with all his people.
The king and his subjects fasted with devotion, and abundant rain fell, ending the famine. From this day until Prabodhini Ekadashi four months later, Vishnu is said to sleep, and weddings and other major ceremonies are traditionally postponed.
As told in the Ekadashi Mahatmya of the Padma and Bhavishyottara Purana tradition, where Krishna narrates each Ekadashi's glory to Yudhishthira. Versions differ in detail between editions.
How to keep the Devshayani Ekadashi vrat
- Dashami, the day before. Eat a light sattvic meal before sunset and avoid grains that night.
- Morning. Bathe early, take a sankalp for the vrat, and worship Vishnu or Krishna with tulsi leaves, flowers, a diya and incense.
- Through the day. Keep the fast as your tradition and health allow — nirjala, phalahar (fruit and milk) or one light meal without grains. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya", hear the story of Devshayani Ekadashi, and avoid anger and idle talk.
- Night. Many keep jagaran — staying awake with bhajans and kirtan.
- Dwadashi. Break the fast (parana) after sunrise within the Dwadashi tithi, after offering food to Vishnu and to someone in need.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with medical conditions should keep a lighter fast.
Mantra for Devshayani Ekadashi
Dvadashakshari mantra of Vishnu
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya ||
Om, salutations to Bhagavan Vasudeva, who dwells in all beings. Chant it 108 times on a tulsi mala through the day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Devshayani Ekadashi 2027?
Devshayani Ekadashi falls on Wednesday, 14 July 2027 (New Delhi, tithi at sunrise). Check your local Panchang for the fast and the parana (breaking) time.
What is Chaturmas?
The four months from Devshayani to Prabodhini Ekadashi, when Vishnu is said to sleep; a time of vows, study and restraint, and traditionally no weddings.
What is the Pandharpur wari?
The annual foot pilgrimage of varkaris to the Vitthal temple at Pandharpur, ending on Ashadhi (Devshayani) Ekadashi.
What is eaten on the Devshayani Ekadashi fast?
Grains and beans — rice, wheat and dal — are avoided. Fruit, milk, nuts, potatoes, sabudana, singhara and kuttu flour and rock salt are commonly eaten. Some keep a nirjala fast; follow your family tradition and your health.
When is the Ekadashi fast broken?
On Dwadashi, the next day, after sunrise and within the Dwadashi tithi — not during Hari Vasara, the first quarter of Dwadashi. This is called parana; check the time in your local Panchang.