Dev Uthani Gyaras 2023: Date, Significance, and Rituals
Dev Uthani Gyaras, also known as Devuthani Ekadashi or Prabodhini Ekadashi, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated with great fervor in various parts of India. This festival marks the beginning of the auspicious period during which marriages are performed. It falls on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually corresponds to late October or early November in the Gregorian calendar. In 2023, Dev Uthani Gyaras will be observed on Friday, 10th November.
Significance of Dev Uthani Gyaras
Dev Uthani Gyaras holds great religious significance in Hinduism. It is believed that Lord Vishnu wakes up from his four-month-long cosmic slumber (known as Chaturmas) on this day. Devotees believe that on this day, Lord Vishnu marries Goddess Tulsi. The marriage of Tulsi with Vishnu is considered sacred, and it is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the devotees. Hence, the period from Dev Uthani Gyaras to Tulsi Vivah, which usually takes place on the next Ekadashi after Dev Uthani Gyaras, is considered highly auspicious for solemnizing marriages.
Rituals and Celebrations
The festival of Dev Uthani Gyaras is observed with various rituals and customs:
1. Waking up Lord Vishnu
- Devotees wake up early in the morning and perform abhishekam (ritual bathing) of Lord Vishnu with Tulsi water. This signifies the awakening of the Lord from his cosmic slumber.
2. Tulsi Vivah
- Many devotees perform the ritual marriage of Lord Vishnu with Goddess Tulsi. This ceremony is usually conducted in temples or at home with great devotion.
3. Fasting
- Devotees observe a day-long fast on Dev Uthani Gyaras to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Tulsi. The fast is broken on the following day after sunrise.
4. Prayers and Mantras
- Special prayers, bhajans, and mantras are chanted in praise of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Tulsi to seek their blessings for a happy and prosperous life.
5. Offerings
- Devotees offer prasad (sacred food) to the deities and distribute it among family members and friends as a token of goodwill.
FAQs about Dev Uthani Gyaras
Q1: What is the significance of Dev Uthani Gyaras?
Ans: Dev Uthani Gyaras marks the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his cosmic slumber and is considered the beginning of the wedding season in Hindu culture.
Q2: Which month does Dev Uthani Gyaras usually fall in?
Ans: Dev Uthani Gyaras falls in the Hindu month of Kartik, which typically corresponds to late October or early November in the Gregorian calendar.
Q3: What is the significance of the marriage between Lord Vishnu and Goddess Tulsi?
Ans: The marriage between Lord Vishnu and Goddess Tulsi is considered highly auspicious and is believed to bring prosperity and happiness to the devotees.
Q4: How is Dev Uthani Gyaras celebrated?
Ans: The festival is celebrated by waking up Lord Vishnu, performing the marriage ceremony of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Tulsi, observing a fast, chanting prayers, and distributing prasad among family and friends.
Q5: What is the importance of fasting on Dev Uthani Gyaras?
Ans: Fasting on Dev Uthani Gyaras is believed to cleanse the body and soul, seek blessings from the deities, and invite prosperity and happiness into one’s life.
Conclusion
Dev Uthani Gyaras is a festival that holds immense religious significance in Hindu culture. It marks the beginning of a propitious period for weddings and is celebrated with great joy and devotion by devotees across the country. The rituals and customs associated with this festival are not just symbolic but also hold deep spiritual meaning for the believers. By observing the traditions of Dev Uthani Gyaras with sincerity and devotion, one can seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Tulsi for a prosperous and fulfilling life ahead.
