On July 25, 2026, Saturday, the sacred Devashayani Ekadashi is observed in the Ashadha month. From this day, the period of Chaturmas, which lasts for four months, begins. According to religious beliefs, on this day, the Lord of all worlds, Shri Hari Vishnu, enters a state of yoga-nidra on the bed of the world ocean.
After God sleeps, all types of auspicious rituals, such as weddings, circumcisions, housewarmings, and others, are suspended. These four months (Ashadha, Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashwin, and Kartik) are considered the best time for spiritual practices, fasting, and worship. During this time, there is an opportunity to receive blessings from both Lord Vishnu and Bollanath.
However, to avoid negative energy and maintain peace and tranquility in life during these four months, it is considered mandatory to follow certain rules. Below are five actions that should be completely avoided during Chaturmas, as well as methods that can remove life obstacles.
Firstly, any auspicious and ritualistic events, including marriages, engagements, Upanayana sanskaras, circumcisions, or buying or moving into a new house, are strictly prohibited. Since the deities are in a state of sleep during this period, no major ritual or festival is conducted.
Secondly, a special dietary regimen must be followed, which is recommended both by Ayurveda and religion. Due to the monsoon season and weather changes, the digestive system weakens. Therefore, one should avoid consuming green leafy vegetables, eggplant, turnip, and tamasic foods (onion, garlic, meat, alcohol). Furthermore, special rules are observed for consuming milk, yogurt, and honey to maintain health and purity.
Thirdly, there is a tradition of sleeping on the ground. Many people renounce luxury and comfort, sleeping on mats or mattresses laid directly on the ground. It is believed that this helps eliminate ego in the soul and increases self-control.
Fourthly, one must stay away from anger and lies. During these four months, a person must completely control their thoughts, speech, and actions. Any form of lying, criticizing others, gossiping, or unjustified anger towards anyone should be avoided. The focus during this period is on meditation on God and leading a sattvic life.
Fifthly, travel and extravagance should be limited. Ancient tradition states that ascetics and saints spend Chaturmas staying in one place for asceticism. Ordinary people are also advised to avoid long and unnecessary journeys. This period is also considered a time for accumulating wealth and refraining from excessive spending.
To gain the grace of Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi, as well as to get rid of negative energy and overcome life difficulties, the following proven measures are recommended.
Regular Recitation of Vishnu Sarasanam: During these four months, one should regularly chant the mantra of Lord Vishnu, 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya,' and read the Vishnu Sarasanam daily or on Thursdays. This helps maintain peace and tranquility in the home.
Worship of Tulsi and Lamp: In the evening, one should perform a circumambulation of the Tulsi plant, lighting a ghee lamp before it. It is believed that worshipping Tulsi during Chaturmas makes Mother Lakshmi very pleased, and there will never be a shortage of food and wealth in the house.
Donation of Yellow Items: On Thursday, one should offer yellow flowers, yellow clothes, besan laddus, or lentils to Lord Vishnu. It is also considered very auspicious to donate yellow items, turmeric, yellow clothes, or lentils to those in need.
Fasting and Ekadashi Rituals: It is necessary to observe a fast on all Ekadashi days that fall within the Chaturmas period (e.g., Devashayani). On Ekadashi day, one should perform the ritual of bathing Lord Vishnu with Gangotra water. Food should also be fed and donated to the poor or Brahmins.
Sattvic Life and Cow Care: During these four months, one should regularly feed the cow the first portion of bread. One should also give peas and sugar to ants. It is believed that this leads to the destruction of all sins and brings the blessings of ancestors.
Chaturmas in 2026 will begin with Devashanai Ekadashi on July 25 and extend until November 20. During this period, which lasts 119 days, the preserver of the universe, Lord Vishnu, will be in a state of yoga-nidra in the Kshira Sagara. During this time, conducting any auspicious or ritualistic events, including marriages, is prohibited.
Despite the period of rest, fifteen significant religious festivals are planned for Chaturmas. The beginning of the period is marked by Devashanai Ekadashi, when Lord Vishnu enters yoga-nidra, and devotees perform worship while observing a fast.
Guru Purnima is celebrated on July 29, a festival dedicated to knowledge, tradition, and discipleship, where reverence is paid to teachers. The month of Shravana begins on July 30, considered the most sacred time for worshipping Lord Shiva, during which rituals such as sanctification of holy sites, Rudrabhishek, and Monday fasts are especially honored.
Raksha Bandhan takes place on August 28, a festival symbolizing unbreakable love and trust between brothers and sisters. Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated on September 4, the birthday of Lord Krishna, when followers observe a fast and conduct bhajans. Pitru Paksha begins on September 8, a sacred period dedicated to expressing respect and gratitude to ancestors, during which Tarpan, Sharaddha, and Pindadaan are performed to receive the blessings of the deceased.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on September 14, the festival marking the appearance of Lord Ganesha, when Ganpati is installed in homes and pavilions for prayers for wisdom and success. On the same day, Hartalika Teej is observed, an important fast for married and unmarried women, during which they worship Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva, praying for a happy marriage and well-being.
Sharadiya Navratri begins on October 11, a nine-day period of worship of the nine forms of Mother Durga, accompanied by fasting and the installation of a Kalasha, symbolizing the victory of positive energy over negativity. Vijayadashami or Dussehra is celebrated on October 20, the festival of the triumph of truth, commemorating the victory of Lord Shri Rama over Ravana, spreading the message of following virtue through the burning of evil.
October 25 falls on Sharad Purnima, considered the brightest full moon of the year, when Goddess Lakshmi and Chandra Dev are worshipped, and a sherbet is left under the moonlight. Karva Chauth is observed on October 29, the main fast for married women, who observe a waterless fast from sunrise until sighting the moon for the longevity and prosperity of their husband. Dhanteras is celebrated on November 6, the first major festival of Dipotsava, when Lord Dhanvantari, Mother Lakshmi, and Kubera are worshipped, and it is considered auspicious to acquire valuables.
The culmination of the season is November 8—Diwali, the greatest Indian festival of light, joy, and new beginnings, during which lamps are lit and Mother Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped. The entire period concludes on November 20 with Devutni Ekadashi, when Lord Vishnu emerges from yoga-nidra, marking the beginning of all auspicious events, including weddings, and special worship of Vishnu and the Tulsi-Shaligram marriage is performed.
Chaturmas is considered the most sacred period in Hinduism for spiritual growth, self-improvement, and abstinence. In 2026, this period will begin on July 25th. It covers the time from Devashayani Ekadashi, when the deity Vishnu enters a state of yogic slumber, until Devuthani Ekadashi.
Since the God Vishnu, who governs the universe, is in a state of rest during these four months, all types of auspicious rituals are prohibited. Nevertheless, this time is considered ideal for improving health, practicing piety, and asceticism. To ensure well-being and good health during Chaturmas, certain rules are laid out in sacred scriptures.
Pandit Arunesh Kumar Sharma provided recommendations on what to do and what to avoid during this period. Recommended practices include regular worship of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, as well as chanting mantras such as 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' or the Mahamurtindжая Mantra, which yield great rewards.
It is also recommended to maintain a sattvic lifestyle, limiting food intake to once a day or eating exclusively sattvic food. Donating grains, clothes, umbrellas, incense, and footwear to the needy is considered extremely auspicious. According to the teachings, those who forgo a bed and sleep on the ground during Chaturmas gain special physical and mental benefits.
Furthermore, it is necessary to light a ghee lamp near a Tulsi plant and at the main entrance of the house every evening.
During this period, auspicious events such as weddings, engagements, Janai ceremonies, circumcisions (mundan), starting a new business, and moving into a house are completely forbidden. It is strictly prohibited to consume onions, garlic, meat, alcohol, and any narcotic substances.
One must refrain from consuming leftover food and food eaten outside the home. To maintain health throughout the four months of Chaturmas, there is a rule against four types of foods: leafy greens (such as spinach, methi) should not be eaten due to the risk of insect infestation during the monsoon season, and yogurt and milk are also prohibited.
In addition to diet, during these months, one should avoid slander, lies, and anger, and adhere to the principles of Brahmacharya.
From a scientific perspective, the Chaturmas period coincides with the monsoon season. During this time, the digestive fire weakens, and the risk of infectious diseases increases. Therefore, it is advised to consume light, easily digestible, and sattvic food to maintain the body's health.
