PM Modi greets nation on Ashadhi Ekadashi, prays for Lord Vitthal's blessings
Synopsis
Prime Minister Modi marked Ashadhi Ekadashi with a prayer on X invoking Bhagwan Vitthal's blessings — a festival that signals the start of the four-month Chaturmas period and draws millions of Warkari pilgrims to Pandharpur every year. Behind the seasonal ritual lies one of Hinduism's most philosophically rich observances, rooted in texts dating back to the Bhavishya and Padma Puranas.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi greeted the nation on Ashadhi Ekadashi on 25 July , posting on X and invoking Bhagwan Vitthal's blessings.
Ashadhi Ekadashi tithi began at 2:44 am on 25 July and ends at 12:14 am on 26 July , per the Drik Panchang .
The festival marks the start of Chaturmas , a sacred four-month period during which Lord Vishnu is believed to enter Yoga Nidra .
Key rituals include a holy bath, offering of Tulsi leaves , recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranama , fasting, and acts of charity.
Ancient texts — the Bhavishya Purana and Padma Purana — underpin the theological significance of the observance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 25 July extended greetings to the nation on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, describing the festival as an embodiment of devotion, compassion and selfless service. In a post on X, Modi invoked the blessings of Bhagwan Vitthal, praying for joy, harmony and prosperity for all citizens and urging collective resolve toward societal welfare.
PM Modi's Message
In his post, Modi wrote: 'Greetings on the sacred occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi. This auspicious day is about the eternal message of devotion and compassion. May Bhagwan Vitthal's blessings bring joy, harmony and prosperity and guide us towards a better society. May He strengthen our resolve to serve and work tirelessly for the welfare and dignity of every person.'
What Is Ashadhi Ekadashi
Ashadhi Ekadashi, also referred to as Devshayani Ekadashi or Hari Shayani Ekadashi, marks the beginning of Chaturmas — a four-month period held as deeply sacred in Hindu tradition. According to the Drik Panchang, the Ekadashi tithi commenced at 2:44 am on 25 July and concludes at 12:14 am on 26 July.
Ancient texts including the Bhavishya Purana and the Padma Purana hold that Lord Vishnu enters Yoga Nidra — divine sleep — on this day, and is believed to awaken on Prabodhini Ekadashi later in the year. The Sanskrit term Devshayani translates to 'when the deity goes to sleep,' marking the symbolic start of a spiritually charged season.
Rituals and Observances
Devotees begin the day with a holy bath before offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. Worship includes Tulsi leaves, flowers, fruits and sweets, while many recite the Vishnu Sahasranama or chant sacred Vishnu mantras. Fasting is a central practice, with traditions varying by region — some abstain from grains and cereals, while others observe a stricter fast broken during the prescribed Parana period the following day.
Significance of Chaturmas
Spiritual scholars regard the onset of Chaturmas as an ideal window for meditation, self-discipline and deeper introspection. Acts of charity — donating food, clothes and essential items — are considered especially meritorious during this period. The season is widely seen as an occasion to prioritise inner growth over outward celebration, with many devotees committing to structured spiritual routines for all four months.
This year's observance comes as millions of Warkari pilgrims converge on Pandharpur in Maharashtra for the annual procession, underscoring the festival's deep cultural and religious resonance across the country.
Point of View
But its political subtext is worth noting — Warkari culture commands enormous electoral weight in Maharashtra, a state where the ruling alliance cannot afford complacency. The timing, framing around 'welfare and dignity of every person,' echoes the government's broader social messaging. What the greeting does not address is the practical infrastructure around Pandharpur's pilgrimage — crowd safety, sanitation, and transport — where state and Centre accountability tends to recede behind the devotional optics.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ashadhi Ekadashi and why is it significant?
Ashadhi Ekadashi, also called Devshayani or Hari Shayani Ekadashi, is a Hindu festival marking the day Lord Vishnu is believed to enter Yoga Nidra (divine sleep), as described in the Bhavishya Purana and Padma Purana. It signals the start of Chaturmas, a four-month sacred period dedicated to prayer, fasting and self-discipline.
What did PM Modi say on Ashadhi Ekadashi 2025?
PM Modi posted on X extending greetings and praying for Bhagwan Vitthal's blessings to bring joy, harmony and prosperity to all. He called on citizens to strengthen their resolve to serve society and work for the welfare and dignity of every person.
What is the Ekadashi tithi timing for 25 July 2025?
According to the Drik Panchang, the Ekadashi tithi began at 2:44 am on 25 July and will conclude at 12:14 am on 26 July. Devotees observing a strict fast typically break it during the Parana period on 26 July.
What rituals are observed on Ashadhi Ekadashi?
Devotees begin with a holy bath, then offer Tulsi leaves, flowers, fruits and sweets to Lord Vishnu. Many recite the Vishnu Sahasranama or chant Vishnu mantras. Fasting practices vary — some abstain from grains and cereals, while others observe a complete fast until the following day's Parana.
What is Chaturmas and when does it end?
Chaturmas is a four-month period beginning on Ashadhi Ekadashi, considered highly sacred in Hindu tradition for prayer, meditation and self-improvement. It concludes on Prabodhini Ekadashi, when Lord Vishnu is believed to awaken from Yoga Nidra.
