Ashadi Ekadasi, or Ashada Devasayani Ekadashi, is observed during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in Ashada Month (June – July). In 2017, the date of Ashadi Ekadasi is July 4. Pandarpur Yatra culminates on Ashadi Ekadasi and is of great importance in Maharashtra. The day is of a great significance at the Lord Vithal Temple in Pandarpur.
The Palki of Tukaram Maharaj from Dehu, Palki of Sant Jnaneshwar from Alandi and numerous other Palki (Palanquin) carrying the silver Padukas of various saints arrives at Lord Vithal Temple in Pandarpur on Ashadi Ekadasi after a 21-day journey. Lord Vithal is an incarnation of Lord Krishna and is a popular deity in Marathi culture.
The day is of great significance to the Bhakti cult in Maharashtra. Sant Tukaram and Sant Jnaneshwar two of the great Bhakti exponents in Maharashtra reached the abode of Lord Vitthal in Pandharpur on Ashadi Ekadasi. They had set out on foot around fifteen days before the auspicious day from their villages. Sant Tukaram started from Dehu village near Pune and Sant Jnaneshwar from Alandi. They walked on foot singing the praise of Lord Vithal and reached the shrine on the auspicious day for the darshan of the Lord.
In memory of this pilgrimage, Maharashtrians undertake Dindi Yatra or Pandharpur Yatra by foot to the Pandarpur shrine of Vitthala. The devotees are known Varkaris and they go in a procession carrying the ‘palki’ of Sant Tukaram and Sant Jnaneshwar.
The day is also of great importance in several other places. Thousands of devotees also take a holy dip in Godavari River on the day and pay obeisance to Lord Rama at Kala Ram temple.
This Ekadasi is popularly known as Devshayani Ekadasi.
This Ekadasi is observed as Toli Ekadasi in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Taptamudra Dharanam – Wearing of Heated Seals on Body - observed by Vaishnava mutts takes place on the day.
Chatur Masa Vrata begins from this day in many regions in India.
Ashadi Ekadasi Live from Pandharpur
The Palki of Tukaram Maharaj from Dehu, Palki of Sant Jnaneshwar from Alandi and numerous other Palki (Palanquin) carrying the silver Padukas of various saints arrives at Lord Vithal Temple in Pandarpur on Ashadi Ekadasi after a 21-day journey. Lord Vithal is an incarnation of Lord Krishna and is a popular deity in Marathi culture.
The day is of great significance to the Bhakti cult in Maharashtra. Sant Tukaram and Sant Jnaneshwar two of the great Bhakti exponents in Maharashtra reached the abode of Lord Vitthal in Pandharpur on Ashadi Ekadasi. They had set out on foot around fifteen days before the auspicious day from their villages. Sant Tukaram started from Dehu village near Pune and Sant Jnaneshwar from Alandi. They walked on foot singing the praise of Lord Vithal and reached the shrine on the auspicious day for the darshan of the Lord.
In memory of this pilgrimage, Maharashtrians undertake Dindi Yatra or Pandharpur Yatra by foot to the Pandarpur shrine of Vitthala. The devotees are known Varkaris and they go in a procession carrying the ‘palki’ of Sant Tukaram and Sant Jnaneshwar.
The day is also of great importance in several other places. Thousands of devotees also take a holy dip in Godavari River on the day and pay obeisance to Lord Rama at Kala Ram temple.
This Ekadasi is popularly known as Devshayani Ekadasi.
This Ekadasi is observed as Toli Ekadasi in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Taptamudra Dharanam – Wearing of Heated Seals on Body - observed by Vaishnava mutts takes place on the day.
Chatur Masa Vrata begins from this day in many regions in India.
Ashadi Ekadasi Live from Pandharpur
