Raipur – Devuthani Ekadashi, the most auspicious, virtuous and best among all the fasts in Hindu religion, is celebrated on Shukla Paksha of Kartik month i.e. today. It is also known as Hariprabodhini, Devotthan, Devprabodhini and Thithuan Ekadashi. Religious rituals of Lord Shaligram and Tulsi marriage are also performed on this day. Giving detailed information in this regard, Shri Sudarshan Sansthanam, Puri Shankaracharya Ashram / Media In-charge Arvind Tiwari said that this fast not only frees one from all kinds of sins but also fulfills all kinds of wishes. The result of this Ekadashi is said to be fruitful. On this day, along with Vaishnavas, Smarta devotees also keep fast with great faith, fasting on this day is considered very auspicious, whereas fasting on waterless or watery substances is especially fruitful. Ekadashi fast has been given the title of Vratraj, because it is the best among all the fasts and it brings good fortune. Ekadashi fast is very important in Hindu religion. There are twenty-four Ekadashis in the whole year. But if there is Malmas in any year then their number increases to twenty-six. It is said that on Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi, from the day of Devshayani, Shri Hari goes to rest in Kshirsagar. No auspicious work is done until he rests in Chaturmas. Devuthani festival is celebrated on the concluding Kartik Shukla Ekadashi of Chaturmas, this Ekadashi itself is called Devuthani. Devuthani festival is celebrated on the concluding Kartik Shukla Ekadashi of Chaturmas, this Ekadashi itself is called Devuthani. On the day of Devuthani Ekadashi, Chaturmas ends and auspicious activities like marriage etc. start again. According to the scriptures, on the day of Devuthani Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu wakes up from yoga nidra after four months and takes charge of creation again. On the day of Devuthani Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi are worshiped by observing a fast and invoking the awakening of Lord Vishnu.

The ritual of Tulsi marriage

On the day of Devuthani Ekadashi, devotees make squares of rice flour in their homes. A sugarcane pavilion is built around Tulsi Mata Chaura and worshiped with rituals. On this day, mehendi, mauli thread, flowers, sandalwood, vermilion, wedding items, Akshat, sweets and worship materials etc. are offered to Tulsi Mata. Tulsi and Shaligram are married with great pomp. Tulsi and Shaligramji are worshiped on this day. According to religious beliefs, organizing a Tulsi marriage brings virtue equal to donating a girl child. There is a popular story behind the marriage of Lord Shaligram and Mother Tulsi. Vrinda, the wife of a demon named Shankhachuda, was extremely chaste. To defeat Shankhachuda, it was necessary to break Vrinda’s chastity. It is believed that Lord Vishnu violated Vrinda’s chastity by changing his form by deceit and after that Lord Shiva killed Shankhachuda. For this deceit, Vrinda cursed Lord Vishnu to turn into a stone. After that Lord Vishnu transformed into a stone and came to be known as Shaligram. Then Vrinda took the next birth as Tulsi, Lord Vishnu blessed Vrinda that without Tulsi, her worship would never be complete. Shivalinga is worshiped as the idol of Lord Shiva, similarly Shaligram is worshiped as the idol of Lord Vishnu. It is also believed that after Vrinda’s Sati, the Tulsi plant was born from her ashes. After this, the tradition of marrying Shaligram with the Tulsi plant started.