On the Ekadashi (eleventh day) of Kartik Shukl Paksha is celebrated as Devotthan, Tulsi Vivaah (marriage of basil plant) and Bheeshm Panchak. This Ekadashi falling after Deepawali is also known as Prabodhani Ekadashi.Devotthan EkadashiOn the Ekadashi of Ashaadh Shukla Paksh (fortnight), the deities sleep and awaken only on the Ekadashi of Kartik Shukla Paksh (fortnight) , thus Devotthan Ekadashi is also known as Dev Uthni Ekadashi.
It is said that God Vishnu sleeps for four months from the Ekadashi of Ashaadh Shukla Paksh (fortnight) in Ksheersagar (cosmic ocean). After four months, He too awakens on the Ekadashi of Kartik Shukla Paksh (fortnight)). During the four-month period of slumber of God Vishnu, arranging marriages and other auspicious acts are forbidden. Only after Hari awakens, meaning once God Vishnu awakens, are all auspicious acts resumed.StoryOnce God Vishnu’s beloved, Lakshmi in a Bhav of request said, “O God, you stay awake day and night. But once you go to sleep, you keep sleeping for lakhs and crores of years. And at that time, you also destroy the entire living world. Thus, you must take rest at regular intervals. Your doing so, will also give me some time to take rest.
The God found Lakshmi ji’s suggestion justified. He replied, “What you are saying is right. My staying awake troubles the deities and particularly you. You do not get any time from my Seva. So, henceforth, every year, I will take rest for four months during the rainy season. This slumber of mine will be called Alpanidra (brief sleep) and Pralaykaleen Mahanidra (great slumber of universal dissolution). This Alpanidra of mine will be most lucky for my devotees. During this duration, whichever devotee will perform my Seva with an emotion for my slumber, I will inhabit their house along with you.”