Chaturmas चातुर्मास
Chaturmas is the four-month holy season when Lord Vishnu is said to sleep - from Devshayani Ekadashi in the monsoon to Prabodhini Ekadashi in autumn. Ceremonies pause, and the months turn to fasting, vows and devotion.
What is Chaturmas?
Chaturmas - literally the “four months” - is the holiest fasting season of the Hindu year. It begins on Devshayani (Ashadhi) Ekadashi, when Vishnu enters his cosmic sleep (yoga-nidra) on the serpent Shesha, and ends about four months later on Prabodhini (Devutthana) Ekadashi, when he wakes. It falls across the monsoon and early autumn, and coincides with Dakshinayana, the Sun’s southern, inward course. Because the deity who sanctifies new beginnings is asleep, weddings and other major ceremonies pause, and the season turns inward to vows, pilgrimage, study and worship.
The four months
Each of the four lunar months of Chaturmas carries its own devotional focus and a wealth of festivals:
| Month | Focus | Festivals |
|---|---|---|
| Shravana | Shiva | Shravan Somvar fasts, Nag Panchami, Raksha Bandhan and Krishna Janmashtami. |
| Bhadrapada | Ganesha & the ancestors | Ganesh Chaturthi, Hartalika Teej, Anant Chaturdashi, then Pitru Paksha. |
| Ashwin | Durga (the Devi) | Sharad Navratri, Durga Ashtami, Dussehra and Sharad Purnima. |
| Kartika | Vishnu & Lakshmi | Karwa Chauth, the five days of Diwali, Tulsi Vivah and Kartik Purnima. |
The Chaturmas vows
Chaturmas is above all a season of vows (vrata) and restraint. Beyond fasting on each Ekadashi, a classical practice is to give up one food in each of the four months - leafy greens in the first, curd in the second, milk in the third and pulses in the fourth. Many take up a niyama for the whole period: a daily scripture reading, a single satvik meal a day, silence, celibacy or charity. Sadhus and pilgrims traditionally halt their wandering and stay in one place through the rains.
Vishnu turns in his sleep
Midway through Chaturmas, on Parivartini Ekadashi (the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada), Vishnu is said to turn (parivartana) on his cosmic serpent-bed - a marker of the season’s midpoint, associated with his Vamana avatar.
When Chaturmas ends
Chaturmas closes on Prabodhini (Devutthana) Ekadashi, when Vishnu awakens. Auspicious activity resumes at once: Tulsi Vivah - the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant to Vishnu - follows within days and reopens the wedding season, leading into Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chaturmas?
Chaturmas ('four months') is a sacred period of about four lunar months when Lord Vishnu is said to enter yogic sleep (yoga-nidra). It runs from Devshayani Ekadashi in Ashadha to Prabodhini (Devutthana) Ekadashi in Kartika, spanning the monsoon and early autumn. Auspicious ceremonies such as weddings are paused, and it becomes a season of fasting, vows, pilgrimage and study.
When is Chaturmas in Mumbai, MH?
Chaturmas runs from Devshayani Ekadashi on 14 July 2027 to Prabodhini Ekadashi on 10 November 2027 in Mumbai, MH.
Why are weddings not held during Chaturmas?
Because Vishnu, whose blessing sanctifies auspicious beginnings, is held to be asleep, weddings, upanayana (sacred-thread), griha pravesh (house-warming) and other major ceremonies are traditionally paused. They resume when he wakes on Prabodhini Ekadashi, with Tulsi Vivah marking the return of the wedding season.
What vows are kept in Chaturmas?
Beyond fasting on Ekadashi and other days, many keep a monthly food vow: giving up leafy greens in the first month, curd in the second, milk in the third and pulses in the fourth. Others take up a niyama such as a daily reading, a single meal, silence or charity for the whole four months.
Which festivals fall during Chaturmas?
Chaturmas is the most festival-rich part of the year: Shravan Somvar, Nag Panchami, Raksha Bandhan and Krishna Janmashtami; Ganesh Chaturthi, Hartalika Teej and Pitru Paksha; Navratri, Dussehra and Sharad Purnima; and Karwa Chauth, Diwali, Tulsi Vivah and Kartik Purnima.
Last updated 26 July 2026