Shayani ekadashi or devshayani ekadashi is often regarded as the holiest of all ekadashi days by Hindus, especially Vaishnava Hindus who consider Lord Vishnu as the supreme God.Ashadhi Ekadashi also marks the end of the famous ‘Pandharpur Ashadi Ekadashi Waari Yatra’. Pandharpur is a small district in the state of Maharashtra and here God ‘Vithoba’, a personification Of Lord Vishnu is worshipped with dedication. The yatra or the religious procession is a 17-day long grand event that attracts tourists to this place. Moreover on the day of Ashadi ekadashi, Vaishnava Mutts dress in heated seals and this tradition is known as ‘Tapta Mudra Dharana’.Ashadi Ekadashi falls during the time when Lord Vishnu sleeps on the ‘Shesha Naag’ (the cosmic servant) in the ‘Ksheersagar’ (cosmic ocean of milk) and therefore the name ‘Hari Shayani Ekadashi’.As per the Hindu legends, Lord Vishnu finally awakes, four months later, on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi.
