नवीनतम
Chaturmas 2022: Everything you need to know
Chaturmas Maas as the name suggests - Chatur means four and Maas means month) spans over four months. Though it commences on the Ekadashi Tithi (eleventh day), Ashadha, Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon), it primarily includes Shravan, Bhadrapad Ashwin and Kartik months.
The Chaturmas starts with Devshayani Ekadashi, Ashadha, Shukla Paksha and culminates with the Devutthani Ekadashi, Kartik, Shukla Paksha. It is said that Shri Vishnu, the Palanhar or the caretaker of the Universe, goes into a state of Yogic sleep (Yoga Nidra) for four months and therefore, devotees refrain from organising auspicious ceremonies like weddings, naming or head tonsuring rituals of children or housewarming functions. Moreover, the Chaturmas period is ideal for introspection, connecting with the inner-self and performing austerities.
Chaturmas commences on the Ekadashi Tithi of Ashadha, Shukla Paksha. And on this day, devotees celebrate Devshayani Ekadashi, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This year, Devshayani Ekadashi will be observed on July 10. Chaturmas concludes on the Ekadashi Tithi of Kartik, Shukla Paksha. And devotees observe the Devutthana Ekadashi Vrat, also called Devuthani or Prabodhani Ekadashi. This year, Devuthani Ekadashi will be celebrated on November 4.
Significance of Chaturmas
Lord Vishnu (hailed as Palanhar, who protects the Universe) goes into a deep state of meditation (Yoga Nidra) for four months. Therefore, no auspicious events, namely engagement, wedding, baby's head tonsuring or naming ceremonies, housewarming rituals, etc., are organised during this period. Instead, devotees practise abstinence.
Interestingly, Lord Vishnu rests on the coiled body of Adi Shesha or the Shesh Naag (seven-hooded serpent) during Chaturmas underneath the Kshirasagara (cosmic ocean). And during his absence, Lord Shiva takes care of the Universe. Therefore, the Chaturmas commences with a month (Shravan) dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Devotees pay tributes to Lord Shiva during Shravan by observing the Shravan Somwar vrat (fasts) on Mondays (Somwar), followed by the Mangala Gowri puja, tribute to Goddess Parvati, on Tuesdays (Mangalwar). Click here to know the Shravan 2022 start and end dates.
The Chaturmas culminate with the end of Lord Vishnu's Yoga Nidra. Then, the Lord wakes from a state of yogic sleep on Devuthani (also known as Dev Utthana) Ekadashi. However, in some traditions, Chaturmas ends with the Tulsi Vivah, i.e. Dwadashi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha. And with Tulsi Vivah, the season of weddings in the Hindu community begins.
Interestingly, Chaturmas encourages devotees to introspect, meditate, bathe in holy rivers and observe Vrats. But, over and above, it is the best time to connect with the inner self and participate in spiritual discourses.
Mythology related to Chaturmas
According to the scriptures, King Bali took control of the three worlds. When Indradev and all the other gods, frightened, sought help from Lord Vishnu, Shri Hari took the Vamana avatar and reached King Bali to ask for donations. Lord Vamana asked for three steps of land in charity. God measured the earth and the sky in two steps and when asked where to keep the third step, Bali said to put it on his head.
In this way, by liberating the three worlds from the sacrifice, Shri Narayan removed the fear of Devraj Indra. But seeing the charity and devotion of King Bali, Lord Vishnu asked Bali to ask for a boon. Bali told God that you should go to Hades with me and always reside there. Lord Vishnu fulfilled the wish of his devotee Bali and went to Hades. This worried all the deities and Goddess Lakshmi.
Goddess Lakshmi thought of a trick to free Lord Vishnu from Hades and reached King Bali as a poor woman. Considering King Bali as his brother, he tied a rakhi and in return demanded a promise to free Lord Vishnu from the underworld. Lord Vishnu did not want to disappoint his devotee, so he gave a boon to Bali that he would reside in Hades from Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi to Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, so Lord Vishnu stays in Yoga Nidra during these four months.
