Chaturmas 2026: According to the Hindu calendar, Devshayani Ekadashi falls on the *Ekadashi* (eleventh day) of the bright fortnight (*Shukla Paksha*) of the month of Ashadha. On this day, Lord Vishnu enters a state of *Yog Nidra* (divine slumber) for four months. Chaturmas begins on the day of Devshayani Ekadashi. The question arises: where does Lord Vishnu sleep during Chaturmas, and when does He wake up? There is an interesting legend associated with this.

Where does Lord Vishnu sleep for four months?
During Chaturmas, Lord Vishnu leaves His celestial abode and descends to *Patal Loka* (the netherworld). There, He remains in *Yog Nidra* at the palace of King Bali. In fact, when Lord Vishnu—in His Vaman *avatar* (incarnation)—claimed everything, including the heavens and the earth, from King Bali in just three strides, He was pleased with Bali and appointed him the ruler of *Patal Loka*, instructing him to reside there until the end of *Kaliyuga*.

Upon receiving this command from Lord Vishnu, King Bali expressed a wish. He asked that, in *Patal Loka*, he might behold the Lord in person every day upon waking up and that the Lord would protect him from enemies. Lord Vishnu granted this boon and accompanied him to *Patal Loka*.

Meanwhile, in *Vaikuntha Loka* (the celestial abode), Goddess Lakshmi was waiting for Lord Vishnu. When Shri Hari did not return to *Vaikuntha* even after a long time, Goddess Lakshmi and all the other deities became concerned. Narada Muni then explained the situation and suggested a way to bring Lord Vishnu back from *Patal Loka*.

Acting on this advice, Goddess Lakshmi went to King Bali in *Patal Loka*. She accepted King Bali as her brother and obtained a promise from him to send Lord Vishnu back to *Vaikuntha Loka*.

King Bali released Lord Vishnu from his vow so that He could return to *Vaikuntha*. Lord Vishnu then told King Bali that He would reside in *Patal Loka* for four months. Thus, every year during Chaturmas, Lord Vishnu resides in *Patal Loka*.

Lord Vishnu will emerge from Yog Nidra on this day.
Chaturmas concludes on the day of Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, also known as Devutthana Ekadashi. On this day, Lord Vishnu awakens from Yog Nidra and resumes the responsibility of governing the universe.

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