Shayan Ekadashi is the eleventh day of the waxing Moon in Ashadha, in the Assamese month of Ahar, when Vishnu is said to go to sleep for four months. It comes at the height of the rains, with the Brahmaputra in flood. Vaishnava households and the satras keep the Ekadashi fast, and the namghars hold their evening prayers through the season that follows.
The story
At Aswaklanta, on the north bank opposite Guwahati, a temple holds a fine image of Anantasayana, Vishnu asleep on the serpent. The place is said to be where Krishna's horses grew tired on his way to fight Narakasura.
A few weeks earlier, at Kamakhya, the Ambubachi Mela has marked the goddess's yearly period, when the temple shuts for three days and the earth is not dug.
How it is kept
- FastNo rice; fruit and milk.
- Naam-kirtanIn the namghar, morning and evening.
- ReadingThe Kirtan Ghosa of Sankardev.
- ChaturmasyaThe four months of vows begin.
Why this date
Shayan Ekadashi is the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, on the day it is present at sunrise, placed so that the fast is broken during Dwadashi.
Shayan Ekadashi in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday | |
| 2027 | Wednesday | |
| 2028 | Sunday | |
| 2029 | Saturday | |
| 2030 | Thursday | |
| 2031 | Tuesday |
More Assamese festivals
18 JulyGuru Purnimaগুৰু পূৰ্ণিমা
17 AugustRakhi Bandhanৰাখী বন্ধন
8 MayAkshaya Tritiyaঅক্ষয় তৃতীয়া
20 AprilHanuman Jayantiহনুমান জয়ন্তী
15 AprilBohag Bihuব'হাগ বিহু
24 AugustJanmashtamiজন্মাষ্টমী
Where to see Shayan Ekadashi
In Assam
- Aswaklanta Temple, North GuwahatiAssamVishnu reclining on the serpent, above the river.
- Auniati Satra, MajuliAssamOne of the great monasteries of the island.
- Hayagriva Madhava Temple, HajoAssamVishnu's hill temple west of Guwahati.
Across India
- PuriOdishaThe gods in gold on their chariots.
- PandharpurMaharashtraAshadhi Ekadashi and the end of the Wari.
- MayapurWest BengalThe Vaishnavas of Bengal keep every Ekadashi.