Dev Uthani Ekadashi 2026: Date, Shubh Muhurat & Tulsi Vivah

“Uttishth-ottishtha Govinda, Uttishtha Garudadhwaja,
Uttishtha Kamalakantha, Trailokyam Mangalam Kuru”

“Arise, O Govinda! O Lord who bears Garuda on your flag, awaken! O beloved husband of Goddess Lakshmi, rise and bless all three worlds with auspiciousness and prosperity.”

— Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam

Ekadashi holds special spiritual significance in Hinduism. Among all the Ekadashis, the one observed during the Shukla Paksh of Kartik month is considered particularly auspicious. Known as Dev Uthani Ekadashi, Devotthan Ekadashi and Prabodhini Ekadashi, this day is dedicated to worshipping Lord Vishnu through fasting, prayer, chanting and devotion. 

On Dev Uthani Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu’s temples across the country hold special prayers and rituals. Devotees bathe in the morning, take sankalp (resolve) to fast, and worship Lord Vishnu and Ma Lakshmi. Homes are decorated with rangoli, lamps are lit, and kirtans are sung to welcome the Lord. In many regions, there is a tradition of worshipping Lord Vishnu under a ceremonial mandap made with sugarcane. 

Let us explore the significance, traditions and rituals associated with this auspicious day.

Key Highlights

• Scriptural Significance and Puranic Legend of Prabodhini Ekadashi
• What is Dev Uthani Ekadashi?
• When is Dev Uthani Ekadashi in 2026?
• Lord Vishnu's Awakening and the Resumption of Auspicious Ceremonies
• Tulsi Vivah 2026

Scriptural Significance and Puranic Legend of Prabodhini Ekadashi

Padma Puran (Uttarakhand, Prabodhini Ekadashi Mahatmya, Chapter 61) details the Dev Uthani Ekadashi. It explains the importance of Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, the prescribed fasting rituals and the spiritual benefits of observing the vrat.

The chapter begins with a conversation between King Yudhishthir and Sri Krishna. Yudhishthir asks the Lord about the name, significance and rituals of the Ekadashi that falls during the Shukla Paksh of the Kartik month. 

Sri Krishna then shares the teachings Lord Brahma gave to Devarshi Narad when he asks about the significance of Prabodhini Ekadashi, which marks the waking up of the Lord from his Yog Nidra (cosmic sleep). Lord Brahma explains that this Ekadashi destroys paap-karmas (bad deeds), multiplies spiritual merit and leads devotees towards moksha (liberation).

It symbolises both the awakening of the Lord and the spiritual awakening of his devotees.

Scriptural Reference: Padma Puran, Uttara Khanda, Prabodhini Ekadashi Mahatmya, Chapter 61, Verses 1–4.

What is Dev Uthani Ekadashi? 

The term Dev Uthani means the awakening of the Devas. Prabodhini signifies awakening or bringing out of sleep. Because it falls eleven days after Diwali, it is commonly called ‘Dev Uthani Gyaras.’ It marks the return of auspicious activities and the end of Chaturmas. Chaturmas is the four-month period between Devshayani Ekadashi (June or July) and Devuthani Ekadashi (October or November) when all auspicious activities are paused. 

In 2026, according to the Smarta tradition (which reveres Lord Shiv, Sri Vishnu, Shakti, Lord Ganesha, and Surya Dev as forms of one Supreme Brahman), the ekadashi is observed on Friday, November 20. The Vaishnav tradition will observe it on Saturday, November 21.

When is Dev Uthani Ekadashi in 2026?

Auspicious Timings and Puja Rituals

Puja Vidhi

• Take a bath early in the morning, wear clean clothes and clean the worship area.
• Place the vigrah or picture of Sri Vishnu, or a Shaligram Shila, on a platform covered with yellow cloth.
• Light a ghee deepam (lamp) and incense. Offer yellow flowers, Tulsi leaves, fruits, sweets and Panchamrit (sacred prasadam made of milk, yoghurt, honey, sugar, and ghee)
• Offer roli (vermilion), akshat (unbroken rice grains), sandalwood paste, and Tulsi leaves to the Lord.
• Chant Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya and recite the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Take a Sankalpa (vow) to observe Ekadashi with purity for Lord Vishnu's blessings and your family's well-being.

You can also perform the Vishnu Sahasranama Sadhana through the Sadhana App.

Lord Vishnu's Awakening and the Resumption of Auspicious Ceremonies

On Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi (Devshayani Ekadashi), Lord Vishnu goes into yogic sleep on the serpent Sheshanag in the Ksheer Sagar (Cosmic Ocean). This marks the beginning of Chaturmas (four months).

Many Bhakti traditions hold that during this period, Lord Shiv takes over the administration of the universe. He sustains and protects creation through tapas (penance), discipline and preservation. This period is reserved for fasting, japa (chanting), dana (charity), study, and introspection.

After four months of Yog Nidra (cosmic sleep), on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Dev Uthani), Lord Vishnu awakens and resumes control of the universe. The end of Chaturmas marks the beginning of auspicious ceremonies such as weddings and housewarming rituals.

Tulsi Vivah

(Devotees performing Tulsi Vivah)

As mentioned in the Shiv Puran (Rudra Samhita, Yuddha Khanda, Jalandhar-vadha episode) and in the Padma Puran (Uttara Khand), Devi Vrinda, daughter of the Asura Kalanemi, was the devoted wife of the Asura king Jalandhar. Her chastity made Jalandhar invincible. To protect the gods and defeat Jalandhar, Lord Vishnu took Jalandhar's form, thereby breaking Vrinda's vow of chastity. This weakened Jalandhar's powers and led to his defeat.

When Vrinda discovered the truth, she cursed Lord Vishnu. From her curse and spiritual devotion, the Tulsi plant emerged. Lord Vishnu then blessed Vrinda with the boon that she would always remain close to him, and he would marry her in his Shaligram form during the month of Kartik. This established the tradition of Tulsi Vivah following Dev Uthani Ekadashi.

Tulsi Vivah Muhurat

Tulsi Vivah: Saturday, 21 November 2026

Dwadashi Tithi Begins: 21 November 2026, 6:31 AM

Dwadashi Tithi Ends: 22 November 2026, 4:56 AM

Tulsi Vivah Puja Vidhi

• Preparation: Clean the worship space and draw a rangoli around the Tulsi plant. Use sugarcane stalks to create a ceremonial wedding mandap.
• Adorning Goddess Tulsi: Decorate the Tulsi plant with a red chunari. Offer bangles, a bindi, sindoor and flowers as part of the traditional bridal adornment.
• Worshipping Lord Shaligram: Offer yellow clothes, sandalwood paste, rice, flowers, and Tulsi leaves to Lord Shaligram.
• Ganesh Puja & Sankalp: Begin by worshipping Lord Ganesh and taking a sankalp (sacred vow) to perform the wedding of Goddess Tulsi and Lord Shaligram.
• Wedding Rituals: Exchange garlands between Goddess Tulsi and Lord Shaligram and symbolically tie them together using a piece of cloth or sacred thread (mauli). Perform the Kanyadaan and other wedding rituals according to family traditions.
• Parikrama & Aarti: As per tradition, take Lord Shaligram around the Tulsi plant in a ceremonial procession. Conclude with an aarti. Offer fruit and sweets as bhog and distribute them as Prasadam.

This festival reminds us that bhakti (devotion) goes beyond fasting and worship. It requires shraddha (faith), self-discipline, humility and seva (service). Through the worship of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Tulsi, devotees seek spiritual purification, peace and prosperity.