UTTANA DWADASI (Thulasi festival) - Significance

Karthika Sukla Ekaadasi known as Prabhodini Ekaadasi marks the last day of sacred Chaturmaasya Vratha.

Lord Vishnu who enters into Yoganidra (Hari Sayani) on the day of Aashaada Sukla Ekaadasi;

will change His direction (Parivarthini) on the day of Bhaadrapada Sukla Ekaadasi;

gets consciousness (Prabhodini) on the day of Karthika Sukla Ekaadasi and

gets up (Uttana) from His Yoganidra on the day of Karthika Sukla Dwaadasi (Uttana).

Chaaturmaasam is the period when Lord SriManNarayana enters into Yoga-Nidra. It doesn't mean that He sleeps like mortals.

Guruh gurutamo dhaamah satyah satya-paraakramah
Nimisho-a-nimishah sragvee vaachaspatir-udaaradhiih

Sri Vishnu Sahasranama stothram (sloka #23) describes Lord Vishnu as Animishah, the one who is ever awake, ever alert, and ever vigilant; the one who keeps a continuous vigil on his devotees.

Uttana Dwaadasi is also known as Ksheeraabdhi Dwaadasi as this day marks the beginning of Ksheera Saagara Mathana.

This day is also referred to as Vrnda (Vana) Dwaadasi as it is associated with the Holy Thulasi who is also known as Vrnda who has emerged from the joyous tears of Lord Vishnu that fell on the Divine Nectar (Amrutha) during Ksheera Sagara Mathana.

Uttaana Dwaadasi is celebrated as Thulasi festival known as Thulasi Damodara Vivaha, symbolically worshiping Thulasi along with Salagrama Shila (Lord Vishnu) and by erecting a branch of Amla tree (AmalakkiI). This ritual is also known as Prabhodotsava sacred occasion of Lord Vishnu getting up from His Yoganidra in the presence of holy and divine Thulasi.

ಪ್ರಸೀದ ತುಲಸೀದೇವೀ ಪ್ರಸೀದ ಹರಿವಲ್ಲಭೇ
ಕ್ಷೀರೋದಮಥನೋದ್ಭೋತೇ ತುಲಸೀತ್ವಾಂ ನಮಾಮ್ಯಹಂ |

Praseeda ThulasiDevi Praseeda HariVallabhe
Ksheerodha Madanodbhuthe Thulasithwaam Namamyaham

Uttaana Dwaadasi marks the end of Chaturmaasya Vratha.

Sri Krushnaarpanamasthu

Related post...

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2009/10/glory-of-thulasi-divine-plant.html