Observed as Devshayani Ekadashi, the sacred day marks the beginning of Lord Vishnu's four-month divine slumber, with devotees in Goa and across the country embracing a period of prayer, fasting and spiritual reflection
Ashadhi Ekadashi marks the beginning of Chaturmas, during which devotees believe Lord Vishnu enters a divine state of cosmic sleep. Observed on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashadha, it is considered to be one of the most important Ekadashis in the Hindu calendar. The day is considered to be the beginning of Lord Vishnu’s Yoga Nidra, which lasts for four months until Prabodhini Ekadashi in Kartik. This period, known as Chaturmas, is considered especially sacred, with many devotees choosing to spend more time in prayer, fasting, and charity while also dedicating time to reading religious scriptures. Fresh tulsi leaves are often placed before the deity, lamps flicker softly, and the familiar sound of bhajans fills the air. Some devotees also observe a day-long fast on the occasion.
Legends behind the sacred observance
Yet another story is of King Mandata, a righteous ruler. He faced a severe drought in his kingdom. He turned to the sage Angiras for guidance, who advised him to observe Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the lunar cycle, to please Lord Vishnu. The king followed the sage’s advice, and soon his kingdom was blessed with rain, ending the drought. This incident gave birth to the tradition of observing Shayani Ekadashi.
The beginning of Chaturmas also brings a change in the Hindu religious calendar. Weddings and several other auspicious ceremonies are generally avoided during these four months, as the period is dedicated to spiritual discipline rather than celebration. Ashadhi Ekadashi is also deeply associated with Lord Vitthal, a form of Lord Vishnu worshipped in Maharashtra. Every year, lakhs of devotees complete the centuries-old Pandharpur-Vaari to the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur, walking for days while singing abhangs and bhajans. For the thousands of devotees who make the annual vaari, the journey to the temple is in itself a way to offer their prayers and offer their surrender to their creator, reflecting their devotion and faith. Being able to visit Pandharpur and seeking Lord Vitthal’s blessings on Ashadi Ekadashi is considered extremely auspicious.
From Pandharpur to Goa: Celebrating faith and tradition
In Goa, the occasion is observed with equal sincerity, albeit on a smaller scale. Temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Vitthal hold special pujas, bhajans and kirtans, while many devotees observe a fast before offering prayers in the evening. Many Goans also travel to Pandharpur to join the vaari, while others participate in devotional programmes organised closer to home.
The festival also has a uniquely Goan connection through Chikhal Kalo at the Shree Devki Krishna Temple in Marcel. The celebrations begin on Ashadhi Ekadashi with religious rituals and devotional programmes, while the famous Chikhal Kalo takes place on the following day, that is Ashadhi Dwadashi. Recreating the playful childhood of Lord Krishna, devotees step into the mud to take part in traditional games, turning devotion into celebration in a way that has become one of Goa’s most distinctive cultural traditions.
Though customs may differ from one family to another, the essence of Ashadhi Ekadashi remains unchanged. It is less about elaborate rituals and more about intention, slowing down, turning inward, and making space for faith in everyday life. As the lamps continue to glow long after the prayers are over and the chants gradually fade into the evening, the day quietly gives way to Chaturmas. The celebrations may be simple, but they mark the beginning of a season that reminds devotees that the strongest expressions of faith are often found not in spectacle, but in the quiet rituals that are carried forward, year after year.
