Haribodhini Ekadashi: Celebrating the awakening & divine wedding of lord Vishnu & basil

KATHMANDU: Haribodhini Ekadashi, also known as Prabodhini Ekadashi or Devotthan Ekadashi, is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Celebrated after Dashain and Tihar in the month of Kartik (according to the Lunar Calendar), this festival marks the occasion when Lord Vishnu awakens after a long slumber, which began on Shayani Ekadashi.

On this day, he awakens to the prayers of Tulsi, the holy basil plant, with whom he is ceremoniously wed in a ritual known as Tulsi Vivah.

The event is seen as a symbolic marriage between the sacred Tulsi plant and the Shaligram stone, which represents Lord Vishnu.

In Hindu belief, Lord Vishnu is regarded as the creator and sustainer of the universe, and his worship is central in many festivals throughout the year. Haribodhini Ekadashi is particularly significant as it also concludes the four-month period known as Chaturmas, during which Lord Vishnu is believed to rest.

What is Ekadashi?

Ekadashi means the “eleventh day” in the Hindu lunar calendar. It’s an auspicious day, often associated with fasting and worship, specifically dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and is also called Hari Vasara. Each lunar month has two Ekadashis, resulting in 24 throughout the year. Devotees use this day to visit Vishnu temples, offer prayers, and, in some cases, water the Pipal tree, a sacred fig representing Vishnu’s divine form.

Celebrating Haribodhini Ekadashi

Haribodhini Ekadashi is widely celebrated in Nepal, with rituals, fasting, and the performing of Tulsi Vivah. Fasting women avoid grains, meat, and beans, consuming only fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Traditional foods include sweet potato, yam, and taro root. Fasting on this day is believed to bring joy, repel negative energy, and help devotees find inner peace and enlightenment.

Historically, Kathmandu Valley rulers established Vishnu temples at the city’s boundaries to ward off evil. These temples include Ichangu Narayan (west of Kathmandu), Changu Narayan (east), Bishankhu Narayan (north), and Sesh Narayan (south). Today, visiting these temples remains a common tradition during Haribodhini Ekadashi, as devotees make pilgrimages to perform rituals and seek blessings. Another notable site is the Narayanthan temple in Budhanilkantha, where a statue of Vishnu rests on a cosmic serpent in a water pool. Thousands gather here for a grand celebration, immersing themselves in the fair’s lively atmosphere.

Pilgrimage and Temple Visits

Many devotees begin their temple visits early to complete their journey across the valley by evening, often concluding at Sesh Narayan Temple in Pharping, Dakshinkali, as “Sesh” translates to “final.” The journey, though sometimes challenging due to road conditions and crowded public transport, is filled with spiritual energy and adventure. For those unable to visit all four temples, the Char Narayan Temple in Kathmandu’s Mangal Bazaar allows worshippers to honor all four Vishnu forms in one place. Other notable Vishnu temples include Wakupati Narayan near Tilmadhav Narayan and Wonde Narayan near Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Tulsi Vivah: The Wedding of Lord Vishnu

Tulsi Vivah reenacts the wedding of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, as represented by the basil plant and Shaligram stone. Devotees decorate Tulsi like a bride with a sari, jewelry, and other adornments, while Vishnu’s idol is dressed as a groom. The ceremony involves placing garlands, applying vermillion, and tying a thread symbolizing their union. The newly “wed” couple is then showered with flowers and red-colored rice grains, accompanied by the sound of bells and conch shells. The event concludes with the distribution of Prasad, offering flowers and fruits to those gathered.

Women especially honor Tulsi Vivah, with married women praying for marital harmony and single women seeking blessings for a loving husband. The ritual also marks the beginning of the Hindu wedding season, making Tulsi Vivah a cherished celebration during Haribodhini Ekadashi.