Prabodhini Ekadashi: Vishnu wakes from four months of Yoga Nidra; Chaturmas ends and weddings resume

Devutthana Ekadashi, also Prabodhini, Dev Uthani or Kartiki Ekadashi, is the Ekadashi of Kartika Shukla Paksha, when Lord Vishnu awakens from his four-month Yoga Nidra on the serpent Shesha in the ocean of milk, which began on Devshayani Ekadashi in Ashadha. With his waking, Chaturmas ends and auspicious ceremonies — weddings, griha pravesh, and mundan — which were suspended, resume. It is one of the most important Ekadashis of the year. In homes, the family draws Vishnu's feet with rice paste or chalk, builds a small mandap of sugarcane, and at dusk wakes the Lord by ringing bells and blowing conches while singing 'Utho Deva, baitho Deva' ('Rise, O Lord, sit up'). New harvest items — sugarcane, water chestnuts, sweet potatoes, jujube — are offered. The Tulsi Vivah, the marriage of Tulsi to Vishnu as Shaligram, begins from this evening in many places. In Maharashtra it is Kartiki Ekadashi, when lakhs of warkaris converge on Pandharpur for Vitthal's darshan and the state's chief minister performs the official puja. Fasting on this Ekadashi is said to equal the merit of a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices.

Nirjala for the able; otherwise fruit, milk and non-grain foods.