Chaturmas 2026: Why does Lord Vishnu go to Hades for four months every year? Know the mythological story

In Hindu religion, Devshayani Ekadashi of Ashadha Shukla Paksha is considered to have special significance. From this date Lord Vishnu goes into Yoga Nidra for four months and Chaturmas begins. This period lasts till Devuthani (Prabodhini) Ekadashi of Kartik Shukla Paksha. According to religious beliefs, at this time Lord Vishnu takes a break from the regular work of creation, while Lord Shiva takes over the responsibility of running the creation.

This is the reason why auspicious works like marriage, house warming, upanayana and mundan are not performed during Chaturmas. On the other hand, this time is considered extremely auspicious for worship, chanting, penance, fasting, charity and spiritual practice. But have you ever wondered why Lord Vishnu goes into Yoga Nidra during this period every year? There is a very interesting mythological story behind this related to the sacrifice of demon king and keeping the promise of God.

King Bali was famous for charity and religion.

According to mythology, King Bali was the grandson of Prahlad, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He was considered a mighty, just and incomparably charitable ruler. With the influence of his penance, bravery and virtue, he had established his dominance over all three worlds including earth, heaven and underworld. The gods became worried due to the increasing influence of King Bali and they prayed to Lord Vishnu for his protection.

Lord Vishnu took Vaman incarnation

Accepting the prayers of the gods, Lord Vishnu assumed the Vamana avatar and reached the place of sacrifice of King Bali in the form of a bright Brahmin boy. He asked for only three steps of land as donation from the king. King Bali accepted his wish without any doubt. As soon as the resolution of donation was fulfilled, Lord Vaman assumed his huge form. In the first phase he measured the entire earth and sky, while in the second phase even heaven came under his control.

King Bali offered his head for the third step. When there was no space left for the third step, King Bali humbly bowed his head at the feet of God. He said that the third phase should be placed on his head. Lord Vishnu was extremely pleased with King Bali’s unwavering devotion, charity and promise-keeping spirit. He blessed King Bali to become the ruler of the underworld and being pleased with his devotion, he also promised to live with him.

That’s why Lord Vishnu goes to Hades

There is a religious belief that Lord Vishnu resides in the underworld for four months every year from Devshayani Ekadashi to Devuthani Ekadashi to fulfill the promise given to his devotee King Bali. This period is called the time of Lord’s Yoganidra. This story symbolizes that God gets bound by the love and dedication of his true devotee and keeps the promise given by him in every situation.

Auspicious works start again from Devuthani Ekadashi

On completion of four months, Lord Vishnu wakes up from Yoganidra on the day of Devuthani or Prabodhini Ekadashi of Kartik Shukla Paksha. With this, Chaturmas ends and auspicious times for marriage, housewarming, Mundan, Upanayan and other auspicious activities begin again.