Parivartini Ekadashi

Religious observance falling on the
eleventh day (ekadashi) of the bright
(waxing) half of the lunar month of
Bhadrapada (August–September). As are
all the eleventh-day observances, this is
dedicated to the worship of Vishnu. This
day is particularly devoted to the worship of Vishnu’s wife Lakshmi, the goddess presiding over wealth and
prosperity. In her form as Mahalakshmi
(as told in the Devimahatmya) she is
able to kill demons that the gods cannot,
and restore to gods the kingdom they
have lost. This festival occurs during the
time Vishnu is believed to be sleeping on
the serpent Shesha, on an ocean of milk,
with Lakshmi massaging his feet. The
name Parivartini means “turning,” and
on this day Vishnu is believed to be stirring in his sleep. See also ocean, churning of the; and cosmology.