Vishnu begins divine sleep. Chaturmas starts. No weddings till Dev Uthhi.
Devshayani Ekadashi, also called Ashadhi Ekadashi or Hari Shayani Ekadashi, marks the day Lord Vishnu lies down to rest on his serpent Shesha in the cosmic ocean of milk. For the next four months he is said to be in yoga nidra, a deep cosmic sleep, until he wakes on Prabodhini Ekadashi in Kartik. These four months are known as Chaturmas, the holiest period of the year for fasting, prayer and self discipline.
Because the Lord is at rest, no weddings, sacred thread ceremonies, house warmings or other major auspicious functions are held during Chaturmas. Instead, the months are given to devotion. The vrat of Devshayani Ekadashi is kept in honour of Vishnu, with fasting, recitation of his name, and charity, and is believed to cleanse sins and bring peace and good fortune for the year. Across western India, lakhs of pilgrims also walk to Pandharpur on this day in the great Ashadhi Wari.
Devshayani Ekadashi 2026 is on Saturday, 25 July 2026. It marks the start of Chaturmas. Parana is on Sunday, 26 July 2026 after sunrise.
Chaturmas is the four-month holy period that begins on Devshayani Ekadashi, when Lord Vishnu is in cosmic sleep. It ends on Prabodhini Ekadashi in Kartik. No major auspicious functions like weddings are held during these months.
Because Lord Vishnu, who blesses all auspicious work, is believed to be resting in cosmic sleep through Chaturmas, weddings and other major ceremonies pause until he wakes on Prabodhini Ekadashi.