Prabodhini Ekadashi
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It has been suggested that Devotthan Ekadasi be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2011. |
| Prabodhini Ekadashi | |
|---|---|
 Vishnu sleeps on the Shesha Shaiya - bed of Shesha. |
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| Also called | Dev uthav ekadashi, Deothan, Kartik Shukla ekadashi |
| Observed by | Hindus |
| Type | Hindu |
| Date | Decided by the lunar calendar |
| Observances | Prayers and religious rituals, including puja to Vishnu |
Prabodhini Ekadashi is the 11th lunar day (ekadashi) in the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Kartik. It marks the end of the four-month period of Chaturmas, when god Vishnu is believed to sleep. It is believed that Vishnu sleeps on Shayani Ekadashi and wakes on Prabodhini Ekadashi, thus giving this day the name "Prabodhini Ekadashi" ("awakening eleventh"), Vishnu-prabodhini ("awakening of Vishnu") and Dev-Prabodhini Ekadashi, Deothan, Dev uthav ekadashi or Dev Oothi ekadashi ("god's awakening"). The end of Chaturmas, when marriages are prohibited, signifies the beginning of the Hindu wedding season. It is also known as Kartiki Ekadashi, Kartik Shukla ekadashi and Kartiki. It is sometimes called Deva-Diwali or Deva-Deppawali - the festival of lights of the gods.[1]
[edit] Rituals
A fast is observed on Prabodhini Ekadashi and the ritual marriage of the Tulsi plant is performed with god Vishnu, who is regarded as the husband of Tulsi.[2] This ritual marriage is known as Tulsi Vivah and may be conducted on the next day of Prabodhini Ekadashi instead of Prabodhini Ekadashi itself.
- Pandharpur
In Maharashtra, Prabodhini Ekadashi is linked with the god Vithoba - a form of Vishnu. Varkari pilgrims throng the Pandharpur temple of Vithoba on this day. The celebrations in Pandharpur continue for five days, till the full moon day (Kartik Poornima).[3] On Prabodhini Ekadashi, the chief minister or a minister of Maharashtra state performs ritual components of worship on behalf of the Government of Maharashtra. This form of worship is known as sarkari-mahapuja.[4]
- Mt. Girnar
In Gujarat, more 800,000 pilgrims perform the 32-km Parikrama (circumambulation) of Mt. Girnar over a two-day period. This performed as a gesture of thanksgiving to the gods, who are believed to have assembled on the mountain.[5]
- Pushkar
In Pushkar, Rajasthan, the Pushkar Fair or Pushkar mela commences on this day and continues till the full moon day (Kartik Poornima). This fair is held in the honour of god Brahma, whose temple stands at Pushkar. A ritual bath during the five days of the fairin the Pushkar lake is considered to lead one to salvation. Sadhus gather here and stay from ekadashi to full moon day in caves. About 200,000 people and 25,000 camels assemble in Pushkar for the fair. Pushkar fair is Asia's largest camel fair.[6][7][8][9][10]
- Sugarcane harvest
Prabodhini Ekadashi also marks the beginning of sugarcane harvest. The farmer performs a puja in the field and ceremoniously cuts some sugarcane, laying some at the boundary of the field and distributing five canes to a Brahmin (priest), blacksmith, carpenter, washer-man and water-carrier and taking five canes at home. At home, figures of Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi are drawn on a wooden-board with cowdung and butter. The sugarcane are tied together at the top and placed round the board. Some cotton, betel-nut, lentils and sweets are offered along with a yagna (fire sacrifice). A song urging the god to wake is sung. The canes are then broken and hung off the roof till Holi, when they are burnt.[11]
- Swaminarayan sect
Prabodhini Ekadashi is considered as the most important Ekadashi in the Swaminarayan sect. It is also celebrated by Swaminarayan sectarians as Abjibapashree Jayanti, birth-anniversary of Abji Bapashree, considered an incarnation of the Swaminarayan sect founder - Swaminarayan. The day also commemorates the religious initiation of Swaminarayan by his guru Ramanand Swami in 1857 and passing of authority by Ramanand Swami to Swaminarayan in 1858. The celebrations last for 5 days.[12] Swaminarayan followers observe a waterless fast and offer Haatadi (an offering of fresh vegaetables) to the gods.[13]
[edit] References
- ^ Kutch in festival and custom By K. S. Dilipsin p.90. The name "Deva-Diwali" is also applied to Kartik Poornima that occurs 4 days later
- ^ Fasts and festivals of India By Manish Verma p.58
- ^ Mokashi, Digambar Balkrishna; Engblom, Philip C. (1987). Palkhi: a pilgrimage to Pandharpur - translated from the Marathi book Pālakhī. Albany: State University of New York Press. pp. 34–50 and 263–278. ISBN 0887064612. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=vgLZGFH1ZTIC&pg=PA14&dq=Palkhi:+a+pilgrimage+to+Pandharpur&client=firefox-a&sig=ACfU3U1KBqvMzk0wEuh16tLjpETKQHeJDg#PPP1,M1.
- ^ Pathak, Dr. Arunchandra S. (2006). "Pandharpur". The Gazetteers Dept, Government of Maharashtra (first published: 1977). http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Solapur/places_Pandharpur.html. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
- ^ India Guide Gujarat By Anjali Desai p.74
- ^ Fairs and Festivals of India By S.P. Sharma, Seema Gupta p 133-34
- ^ Nag Hill at Pushkar brims with sadhus, 27 October 2009, Times of India
- ^ Land and people of Indian states and union territories: in 36 volumes, Volume 1 By S. C. Bhatt, Gopal K. Bhargava p.347
- ^ Viewfinder: 100 Top Locations for Great Travel Photography By Keith Wilson p.18-9
- ^ Frommer's India By Pippa de Bruyn, Keith Bain, Niloufer Venkatraman, Shonar Joshi p. 440
- ^ Festivals In Indian Society (2 Vols. Set) By Usha Sharma p.190
- ^ Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, Abjibapashree Jayanti
- ^ Prabodhini Ekadashi , BAPS
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