By Srijata Mishra
Out of the 24 Ekadashis in the Hindu calendar only two are observed as occasions when Mahaprasad is not prepared in Puri Srimandir in Odisha and the intake of anna rice or cereals is strictly prohibited.
According to Hindu beliefs the consumption of anna rice or cereals is generally avoided on Ekadashi. However this tradition is not uniformly observed by Hindus in Odisha. The exception occurs only on two specific Ekadashis when even people in Odisha abstain from eating rice.
The first of these is the Khailagi Ekadashi that falls during the Anavasara period of Lord Jagannath. During this time Lord Jagannath is believed to fall ill with fever after taking the ritualistic bath on the auspicious occasion of Snana Purnima.
The second is Sayana Ekadashi which is on Sunday thatmarks the belief that Lord Jagannath as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu enters a state of deep slumber for four months.
This day also signifies the beginning of the Sayana Jatra of Lord Jagannath and His siblings. On this occasion their Chalanti Pratima made of gold are placed inside silver pedis boxes symbolising their entry into divine slumber.
These are the only two Ekadashis when Mahaprasad is not prepared in Puri and the eating of anna is prohibited for devotees.
Ashadhi Ekadashi Celebrations Across India
While Sayana Ekadashi also known as Ashadhi Ekadashi is celebrated on a grand scale in Maharashtra with the iconic Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur the festival also holds deep spiritual significance across other parts of India.
In states like Karnataka Telangana Goa and Gujarat devotees observe the day with prayers fasting bhajan gatherings and temple visits especially in regions where Lord Vishnu or Krishna is revered.
The day marks the beginning of Lord Vishnursquos four-month cosmic rest known as Chaturmas and is considered one of the most auspicious for seeking spiritual growth peace and liberation. Devotees typically observe a grain-free fast engage in rituals such as abhishekam and aarti and offer simple sattvic food as bhog.
Reflecting the spiritual and social essence of the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his greetings stating ldquoMay Lord Vitthal guide us toward a joyful and prosperous society and may we continue to serve the poor and underprivileged.rdquo
啶嗋し啶距あ啷 啶忇啶距う啶多啶氞啶ぞ 啶ぞ 啶さ啶苦い啷嵿ぐ 啶︵た啶ㄠぞ啶氞啶ぞ 啶え啷嬥き啶距さ啷 啶多啶啶氞啶涏ぞ! 啶嗋お啶侧啶ぞ啶掂ぐ 啶掂た啶犩啶犩げ啶距啷 啶嗋ざ啷啶班啶掂ぞ啶 啶膏う啷堗さ 啶呧じ啷囙 啶曕ぞ啶ぎ 啶班ぞ啶灌啶 啶灌啶 啶掂た啶犩啶犩げ啶距啷嵿く啶 啶氞ぐ啶｀ 啶嗋お啶侧 啶啶班ぞ啶班啶ムえ啶 啶嗋ぃ啶 啶曕ぞ啶え啶. 啶啶掂ぞ啶 啶掂た啶犩啶犩げ 啶嗋お啶侧啶ぞ啶侧ぞ 啶嗋え啶傕う啷 啶嗋ぃ啶 啶膏ぎ啷冟う啷嵿ぇ啷啶く 啶膏ぎ啶距啶距じ啶距啷 啶ぞ啶班啶椸う啶班啶多え 啶曕ぐ啶 啶班ぞ啶灌 啶嗋ぃ啶 啶嗋お啶｀す啷 啶椸ぐ啷啶 啶嗋ぃ啶 啶掂啶氞た啶むぞ啶傕啷 啶膏啶掂ぞ 啶曕ぐ啶 啶班ぞ啶灌 啶ぞ.
mdash Narendra Modi @narendramodi July 6 2025
His message echoed the spirit of Ashadhi Ekadashi as a time of collective devotion and compassionate service