Chaturmas begins with Devashayani Ekadashi. According to religious beliefs, this year Devashayani Ekadashi will take place on July 25, and the period of Chaturmas will start from this day. During this time, it is considered that conducting auspicious (manglik) activities is suspended. However, this period is recognized as most favorable for prayers, spiritual practices, and observing fast days.
During Chaturmas, Lord Vishnu remains in a state of yoga-nidra, leading to a temporary halt of all secular and auspicious activities. Nevertheless, this time is considered the most productive for worship, meditation, chanting mantras, and devotion to the divine. This year, Chaturmas will last from July 25 to November 20 and covers four sacred months: Sawan, Bhadrapada, Ashwin, and Kartik.
The first month of Chaturmas, Sawan, is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. During this period, bathing in holy water (jalabhishek), Rudrabhishek, offering betel leaves, and reciting Shiva Sahasranama are considered particularly auspicious. According to religious beliefs, worshipping Shiva in Sawan brings prosperity to family life, improves health, eliminates planetary imbalances, and helps in achieving desires. This year, Sawan will last from July 30 to August 28.
The second month, Bhadrapada, is important for the veneration of Lord Krishna. The festival of Krishna Janmashtami falls in this month. It is believed that worshipping Krishna, reading the Shrimad Bhagavatam, and having devotional love can bring happiness, peace, and progeny. Ganesh Utsav is also celebrated in this month. This year, Bhadrapada will last from August 29 to September 26.
The third month, Ashwin, is highlighted as a time for worshipping the divine power (Shakti) and remembering ancestors (Pitru Tarpan). Sharadiya Navratri and Pitr Paksha fall during this period. Religious beliefs state that reading Durga Saptashati, worshipping goddesses, and remembering ancestors at this time are considered auspicious. This period is especially important for those who wish to achieve victory in life, luck, and mental strength. This year, Ashwin will last from September 27 to October 26.
The last month of Chaturmas is Kartik. Important festivals such as Diwali, Tulasi Vivah, and Devutni Ekadashi fall in this month. According to religious beliefs, it is during this period that Lord Vishnu awakens from yoga-nidra, and the conduct of auspicious activities resumes. Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu in the month of Kartik is considered especially fruitful. This year, Kartik will last from October 27 to November 24.
In Hinduism, the Ekadashi fast holds a special place, and Ekadashi during the Ashadha month in the waning phase is called Yogini Ekadashi. It is believed that this fast can destroy all sins and bring happiness and prosperity into life. According to ancient scriptures, observing the Yogini Ekadashi fast brings the same deserved blessing as feeding eighty-eight thousand Brahmins.
This year, Yogini Ekadashi will be celebrated on July 10th. The start of the Ekadashi date begins on July 9, 2026, at 09:31 AM, and concludes on the night of July 10th at 10:11 PM. The time for opening the fast (Paran) is scheduled for July 11th, from 05:40 AM to 08:24 AM.
On the day of Ekadashi, one must wake up before sunrise, take a bath, and wear clean yellow clothing. After this, an oath is taken by holding water in the hands. Then, an image or statue of Lord Vishnu is placed on a spread-out yellow cloth in the prayer corner. Yellow flowers, akshat (whole rice grains), fruits, sandalwood, and offerings are presented to him. The presence of Tulsi leaves is mandatory when worshipping Vishnu, but it should be remembered that Tulsi leaves cannot be plucked on the day of Ekadashi, so they must be collected the day before, on Dashami.
After this, a ghee lamp is lit before Lord Vishnu, a story about Yogini Ekadashi is read or listened to, followed by chanting the Vishnu Sarasranama and concluding with Aarti. Sleeping is forbidden on the night of Ekadashi; instead, vigils are observed by engaging in kirtan or repeating mantras in the presence of divine chants. The next day, on Dwadashi, the fast is broken at an auspicious time. Before breaking the fast, it is necessary to feed and give charity to Brahmins or the needy.
Since Lord Vishnu favors the color yellow, it is recommended to wear yellow-toned clothing and offer yellow items as gifts. It is also considered very beneficial to donate water, grains, umbrellas, or clothes. It is important to maintain complete purity of thoughts, words, and actions, following the principles of Brahmacharya.
According to legend, there lived a gardener named Hem in the city of Alkapuri, which belonged to King Kubera. He used to bring flowers from Mansarovar daily to worship Shiva. However, being bound by his wife's love, he once forgot to bring the flowers on time. Enraged, Kubera cursed him, condemning him to suffer separation from his wife and turning him into a leper in the mortal world. Under the influence of this curse, Hem wandered and reached the ashram of the sage Markandeya. Hearing of his sorrow, the sage advised him to observe the Yogini Ekadashi fast in the month of Ashadha. Hem diligently observed this fast, due to which his leprosy completely disappeared, and he regained his divine appearance and union with his wife. Since then, it has been believed that observing this fast frees one from physical ailments and unintentional sins.
Devashayani Ekadashi this year falls on July 25th, marking the beginning of Chaturmas. This date holds special significance in Hinduism, as it is believed that Lord Vishnu enters a state of yoga-nidra on this day, and Lord Shiva takes over the governance of the world for the next four months.
Traditionally, during these four months, weddings, moving into a new home, and other celebratory events are avoided. There is a set of rules considered mandatory to observe on this day.
Firstly, it is recommended to refrain from preparing or bringing garlic, onions, meat, and other tamasic foods into the home, maintaining sattvic diet and a pure atmosphere. Secondly, one should avoid unnecessary arguments, anger, and harsh words in the house, striving to create a calm and positive environment in the family.
It is also forbidden to tear Tulsi leaves; if Tulsi leaves need to be offered to Lord Vishnu, they should be collected the day before. Negative thoughts and mistreating others must be avoided. When performing worship, only clean and unblemished materials should be used, excluding old or impure items.
Primarily, it is recommended to wake up at dawn or Brahma Muhurta, take a bath, and start the day by remembering Lord Vishnu. During worship of Lord Vishnu, offering yellow flowers, yellow fruits, yellow sweets, Tulsi leaves, and other auspicious materials is considered favorable.
Another important ritual is planting a banana plant in a small pot and placing it in the northeastern (Ishan) direction of the house. The plant should be reverently worshipped using roli, molli, saffron, yellow flowers, incense, and lamps, followed by remembrance of Lord Vishnu. After completing the ritual, the plant should be taken to a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna.
Furthermore, it is recommended to read the story of Devashayani Ekadashi. If possible, this story should be told to all family members, and 108 names of Lord Krishna should be chanted. On this day, it is also customary to donate yellow items, such as yellow products, fruits, clothing, or money, in the evening, according to one's means.
