The story behind Devuthani Ekadashi
The vrat is observed in the standard ekadashi pattern but with even greater devotional intensity. At dawn devotees stand at Vishnu's temple or before their household shaligram and chant: "Uttishtha Go…
The vrat is observed in the standard ekadashi pattern but with even greater devotional intensity. At dawn devotees stand at Vishnu's temple or before their household shaligram and chant: "Uttishtha Govinda, uttishtha Garudadhwaja, uttishtha Kamalakanta, trailokyam mangalam kuru" — "Wake, O Govinda; wake, O bearer of Garuda; wake, O beloved of Lakshmi; bring auspiciousness to all three worlds." A common practice is to draw rangoli, light lamps, and offer Vishnu fresh sugarcane (the new harvest) along with tulsi, lotus flowers, and yellow garments. Many homes celebrate by lighting an extra lamp at the Tulsi vrindavan in the courtyard.
Devuthani is also the unofficial start of the Indian wedding season. For the past four months no auspicious weddings have been performed; from this day forward, the calendar opens. Families across north and central India traditionally use this day to fix wedding dates, distribute invitation cards, and begin preparations.