Devathani Ekadashi

Devathani Ekadashi

October-November; 11th day of waxing half of Hindu month of Kartika

Devathani Ekadashi is a Hindu festival, observed in rural areas, that celebrates the waking of Vishnu. Hindus believe that Vishnu's battle with the great demon Shankhasura was so exhausting that he went to sleep for a period of four months afterward. Each year, Vishnu slumbers from the 11th day of the waxing half of Asadha (June-July) until the 10th day of the waxing half of Kartika (October-November). On the 11th day, he awakens. During his long sleep, Hindu marriages and other ceremonies are not observed.
Hindu women celebrate the festival by fasting, worshipping Vishnu, and singing hymns in praise of various gods and goddesses. Newly ripened crops, such as sugarcane and waternuts, may be eaten on this day for the first time, and it also marks the end of the period during which marriages and other ceremonies cannot be held.

SOURCES:
RelHolCal-2004, p. 178
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