The festival of Hari Prabodhani Ekadashi was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in Varanasi on Wednesday.
A large number of devotees including women took the holy dip in Ganga and paid obeisance to Lord Vishnu in different temples. Devotees also observed a day-long fast to mark the occasion.
Prominent ghats such as Tusli Ghat, Assi Ghat, Dashashwemedh Ghat, Rajendra Prasad Ghat were crowded with devotees, engaged in taking the holy dip.
Devotees also worshipped the Tulsi plant and offered Gangajal. On this day, the marriage ceremony of Tulsi (Tulsi-Vivah) was also organised at several places.
As per religious belief Lord Vishnu awoke on the day of Hari Prabodhini Ekadash after a four-month-long sleep. With the awakening of Vishnu, good time starts to initiate all works.
Devotees also offered fruits to the Lord. A large number of make-shift shops of sugar-cane were set up through out the city.