ક્ષીરાબ્ધિ દ્વાદશી 2023

Ksheerabdi Dwadasi (క్షీరాబ్ధి ద్వాదశి) is the Shukla Dwadashi of Kartika, the day after Utthana Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu, risen from his four months of yoga nidra on the ocean of milk (ksheerabdhi), comes with Lakshmi to the Brindavan of Tulasi. It is also called Chiluku Dwadasi, recalling the churning of the ocean of milk.

In the evening the women decorate the tulasi kota with kolam and lamps, set a branch of usiri (amla) beside the Tulasi plant as Lord Damodara, and perform the Tulasi Damodara Kalyanam. Rows of lamps are lit around the courtyard, and the Ksheerabdi Dwadasi vratam story is read.