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Haribodhini Ekadashi

Haribodhini Ekadashi, aka Devotthan Ekadashi, is the one of the important festivals of Nepal. Haribodhini Ekadashi is the 11th lunar day (ekadashi) in the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Kartik. This ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It marks the end of the four-month period of Chaturmas, when god Vishnu is believed to sleep. It is believed that Vishnu sleeps on Shayani Ekadashi and wakes on Haribodhini Ekadashi, thus giving this day the name “Haribodhini Ekadashi” (“awakening eleventh”), Vishnu-prabodhini (“awakening of Vishnu”) and Dev-Prabodhini Ekadashi, Deothan, Dev uthav ekadashi or Dev Oothi ekadashi (“god’s awakening”). On this day Vishnu wakes up from his slumber and presides over the religious rites across the universe. Another legend says, Vishnu guarding the gates of the King Bali in Pataal. It is believed that the King Bali was deported from the heaven due to his nature. But, impressed by his selfless acts and generosity, the holy trinity of Bramha,Vishnu and Shiva agreed to be his gatekeeper; each of them dividing 3 months in between shifts. Hence, on Haribodhini Ekadashi is the turn of Vishnu's turn to be his gatekeeper.

On this occasion, the Seshnarayan temple, along with the other three of the 4 Narayan temples are crowded with the devotees to pay their homage to the Lord Vishnu. Tulasi is worshiped as the incarnation of lord Vishnu in this very day all over Nepal. The day is the marriage of Tulsi or Tulashi Bibah.