Devutthana
Ekadashi in Shukla Paksha of Kartik month is known as Devotthan, Devuthani, or Prabodhini Ekadashi. This Ekadashi comes after Diwali. As Lord Vishnu sleeps on Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha in Ashadh month and wakes up on Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha in Kartik month, that is why this Ekadashi is known as Devotthan Ekadashi.
According to some religious beliefs, Lord Vishnu wakes up after 4 months of sleeping in Kshirsagar on this Ekadashi day. During these four months period, no auspicious tasks are performed. From this Devotthan Ekadashi onwards, when Shri Hari wakes up, all religious and auspicious activities begin. On this day, Tulsi Vivah (marriage) is also performed.
Why is this day celebrated?
One time Goddess Lakshmi asked Lord Narayana- O Lord! Either you remain awake for day and night, or goes on a deep slumber for millions of years! This imbalance the world and destroys everything, moving or not. So, it will be better that you should sleep timely every year. This will give me some time to relax as well.
Narayan smiled and told Goddess Laxmi- Devi! You said right! All the Gods, and especially you face problems because of me. You don’t even get time to relax and sleep. Therefore, from now on, I will sleep for four months during the rainy season every year. During that period, you and the other Gods can relax. The Pralaya Kaleen period (when the world will end) will be called my deep slumber (Maha Nindra). The four months of sleep will be my short slumber (Alpa Nindra) and will be highly auspicious for my devotees. During this time, the devotees who will serve me dedicatedly and zealously while organizing the festivities of my sleeping and awakening; will reside in their homes with you.
On Devotthan Ekadashi, Tulsi Vivah is also performed. Like a normal marriage, the wedding of Tulsi (plant) and God Shaligram (Lord Vishnu) is also celebrated zealously. Tulsi is also called Vishnu Priya. So, after awakening from his deep slumber, he firstly answers the prayers of natives who worship Harivallabh Tulsi. Tulsi Vivah is performed to invoke God through Tulsi. As mentioned in Vedic scriptures, the couples who don’t have a girl child should perform Tulsi Vivah once in their lifetime to earn the virtue of Kanyadaan.
