The origins and history of Ashadi Ekadashi are traced back to the pages of ancient Hindu scriptures and mythology. According to the Puranas, Lord Vishnu, also known as the preserver of the universe, goes into yoga nidra or a deep meditative sleep on the many-headed serpent Shesha in the Kshira Sagara or the ocean of milk. A demon, Murdanav, was said to have approached Lord Vishnu in this meditative state as a form of an attack. At that instance, a beautiful woman is said to have sprung forth from Lord Vishnu’s 11th sense. Extremely enchanted by her beauty, Murdanav asks her to marry her. Her condition for marriage lies in Murdanav defeating her in a battle. Unfortunately, Murdanav loses the fight and eventually dies. As Lord Vishnu awakens from his sleep, he blessed the woman by naming her ‘Ekadashi’, stating that if anyone hereon observed a fast on this day, they would attain moksha or liberation from the cycle of life and death. The period of divine slumber lasted for four months until Prabodhini Ekadashi in the month of Kartik. This festival holds profound significance, and the meaning of  Ashadi Ekadashi  goes beyond just the legend. 

Various legends and stories in Hindu mythology underscore the origin and significance of Ashadi Ekadashi. Another famous tale involves King Mandata, who is believed to have been advised by the sage Angira to observe a fast on the day of Ashadi Ekadashi to rid his kingdom of severe drought-barren lands. It is believed that the king’s dedication to the fast pleased Lord Vishnu, who then blessed the kingdom with abundant rainfall. One more legend talks about a poor Brahmin named Sumedha and his wife Pavana, who were instructed by a sage to observe a fast on Ashadi Ekadashi to get rid of their state of extreme poverty. It was believed that Lord Vishnu was taken aback by their devotion and, in return, blessed them with prosperity and happiness. 

Due to these legends and stories, Ashadi Ekadashi holds profound spiritual significance for Hindus. It is believed that observing a fast on this day cleanses one’s soul of past sins and paves the way for achieving spiritual growth and abundance. Devotees pray to Lord Vishnu, seeking blessings in the form of prosperity, good health, and peace through acts of divided introspection, self-discipline, and devotion. 

According to the lunar calendar, Ashadi Ekadashi is celebrated during the shukla pasha, or the bright half of the month of Ashada. It is the day that marks the commencement of the Chaturmas, a time that is dedicated to spiritual renewal and growth that devotees seek through fasting and prayer. During this time, people who observe Chaturmas avoid grand celebrations like weddings. Lord Vishnu’s deep meditative sleep is a representation of the time for the earth to rest and regenerate, aligning human activities with natural cycles. 

The observance of Ashadi Ekadashi involves a series of rituals and fasting practices. The day begins with a ritual bath, followed by a visit to temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu or his avatars. As the legends suggest, fasting is a crucial part of the observance, lasting for three days. The day before Ekadashi, devotees practice Naktabhoji, where they take a single meal in the afternoon to ensure an empty stomach the next day. On Ekadashi, they observe a strict nirjala fast, abstaining from food and water throughout the day. The fast is broken the next day, known as Dwadashi, only after sunrise. Devotees engage in devotional activities such as bhajans, mantra chanting, and reading sacred scriptures like the Bhagwad Gita or Vishnu Sahasranama throughout the day. This rigorous fasting is believed to cleanse the body and mind, preparing them for spiritual growth and enlightenment. 

Ashadi Ekadashi is celebrated with unique fervour across various regions in India, each adding its distinct flavour to the deep spiritual significance of the festival. In Maharashtra, particularly in the city of Pandharpur, it is a festival of paramount importance. Thousands of devotees, known as Varkaris, embark on a pilgrimage on foot to the Vithoba temple in Pandharpur, a journey known as the Pandharpur yatra. The procession is a breathtaking sight, filled with the energy of collective spiritual devotion.  In Gujarat and Rajasthan, devotees observe a day-long fast and a night-long vigil, engaging in hymn recitations and bhajans. In Bengal, the festival is celebrated with the pride of wearing Garad sarees. Each region's celebration is unique, reflecting the local customs, traditions, and beliefs, and yet, they all share the common thread of devotion and spiritual renewal. 

As Ashadi Ekadashi is marked as a day of religious observations, pilgrimages and activities, traditional clothing plays a crucial role in helping one connect and feel one with the festivities. The attire men and women are seen in is a reflection of their devotion and an ode to the cultural heritage they hold passed down by their ancestors. 

Women are typically seen dressed in traditional attire, which is inspired by the region they belong to and where they are celebrating the festival. Maharashtrian women opt for the infamous Nauvari saree, also known as the Kashta saree, as their quintessential choice for this day of penance and pilgrimage. Handwoven intricately by artisans and made from cotton, these sarees hold the true sense of heritage for Maharashtra, especially for the women who participate in the Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage. The borders and pallus hold designs and motifs of peacocks and flowers symbolising beauty, femininity and fertility. As we speak about western India, women performing rituals for Ashadi Ekadashi in the regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan usually opt for Bandhani or Leheriya sarees. Typically made from cotton and silk, this tie and dye fabric holds the knots of tradition and legacy.

Bengali women pride themselves on wearing Garad sarees as they celebrate Ashadi Ekadashi. These garments are distinguished by their white or off-white base and deeply inked red borders. They bear motifs like paisleys, floral designs, and intricate geometric patterns. The saree is the preferred choice as it symbolises purity and auspiciousness. In the southern states of India, women usually adorn Kanjeevaram and Ilkal sarees. 

Likewise, men around the subcontinent are also seen partaking in the rituals and celebrations in traditional attire that resonates with their state and customs. They are seen wearing variations of the ever-favourite pair, dhoti and kurta. In Maharashtra, it is traditionally referred to as a dhotar and kurta. In Gujarat, men swap out the kurta for a kediyu, a traditional frock-style peplum garment. In West Bengal, they wear a dhoti and a Panjabi, the regional name for kurta amongst Bengali folks. 

Men in Tamil Nadu participated in the festivities in a veshti and angavastram. The angavastram is a shawl-like silhouette wrapped around the torso, usually made from cotton or silk. Meanwhile, Karnataka sees its folks donned in panche and jubbas. 

From hills in the north to the tip of the south and the backwaters of the east to the desert of the west, everyone who immerses themselves in the holy penance of Ashadi Ekadashi to enhance a state of spiritual awakening embodies the rich traditions and cultural values through their choice of attire.