Jal Jhulni Ekadashi in Mewar: The Ram Revadi Tradition I Have Grown Up Watching
Some festivals are not just something you read about or celebrate at home. You actually see them happening around you.
For me, Jal Jhulni Ekadashi is one of those festivals.
Image Title : Jal Jhulni Ekadashi Celebrated At Gangu Kund
Alt Text : People celebrates jal jhulni ekadashi at gangu kund udaipur
Growing up in Udaipur and being familiar with Mewar, I have seen how the festival brings the streets, temples and ghats together. On this day, Lord Krishna is taken out from the temple in a beautifully decorated palki. Devotees gather along the route with flowers, coconuts and fruits, bhajans fill the streets and red gulal becomes a part of the celebration.
In Mewar, the day is also popularly known as Daan Ekadashi, and the traditional procession is known as Ram Revai.
For me, this is one of those Rajasthan traditions that is best understood by experiencing it in person rather than simply reading about it.
What is Jal Jhulni Ekadashi?
Jal Jhulni Ekadashi is observed on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of Bhadrapada. The festival is associated with Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna and is especially connected with the tradition of taking the deity towards water.
It is also known as Parivartini Ekadashi.
According to Hindu belief, Lord Vishnu rests on Sheshnag in Kshirsagar during Chaturmas. On this Ekadashi, it is believed that he changes his sleeping position or turns to the other side. This change is the reason the day is called Parivartini Ekadashi.
The tradition of taking the deity towards water gives the festival its name Jal Jhulni Ekadashi.
In different parts of Rajasthan, the celebrations have their own local traditions. In Mewar, one of the most beautiful parts is the Ram Revai procession, when the deity comes out of the temple and travels through the streets towards a water body or ghat.
Why is it called Daan Ekadashi in Mewar?
In Mewar, many people commonly refer to Jal Jhulni Ekadashi as Daan Ekadashi.
The local name is closely associated with the traditions and devotional practices followed on this day. If you speak to people in the region, you may hear the festival referred to by different names depending on the place and family tradition.
That is one thing I love about Rajasthan's festivals. The same religious occasion can have different local names and customs, while the devotion behind it remains the same.
What happens during Ram Revadi?
On Jal Jhulni Ekadashi, the deity is beautifully decorated and placed in a palki or bewan.
The palki then leaves the temple and moves through the streets towards a ghat, kund or other water body.
Devotees wait along the route to have darshan. Many people offer flowers, coconuts and fruits to Thakurji as the palki passes.
The atmosphere is filled with bhajans, devotional music, temple bells and chants. Red gulal is also offered during the celebration, making the procession especially colourful.
For me, this is what makes Ram Revadi so beautiful. The celebration is not limited to the temple. The entire route becomes a part of the festival.
Why do devotees pass under the palki?
One of the traditions you may notice during the procession is devotees passing underneath the palki.
There is a local religious belief that passing under the palki brings the blessings of the deity and helps remove difficulties, troubles and illnesses from one's life.
This is a matter of faith and local belief rather than something that can be scientifically established.
Still, watching devotees participate in this tradition with such deep faith is a beautiful part of the experience. People wait for the palki, bow their heads, seek blessings and then continue with the procession.
Jal Jhulni Ekadashi at Jagdish Temple, Udaipur
Image Title: Jal Jhulni Ekadashi Ram Revai Udaipur
Alt Text: Jal Jhulni Ekadashi Ram Revadi procession from Jagdish Temple towards Gangaur Ghat in Udaipur
If you are in Udaipur, one of the places where I would personally suggest experiencing Ram Revadi is Jagdish Temple.
The procession comes out from the temple and moves through the old city towards Gangaur Ghat, beside Lake Pichola.
This is where the experience becomes particularly special for me.
The old streets are filled with devotees waiting for Thakurji. People stand along the route with flowers, coconuts and fruits. The decorated palki slowly moves through the crowd while bhajans and devotional sounds continue around it.
As the procession reaches Gangaur Ghat, the beautiful setting of Lake Pichola adds another dimension to the celebration.
The deity is taken towards the water, the religious rituals are performed and aarti takes place before the procession returns.
The official Utsav portal also lists the Jal Jhulni tradition in Udaipur, including the Ram Revadi procession towards Gangaur Ghat, gangu kund and the ritual connected with the water.
Being a local, I feel this is one of those Udaipur experiences that you understand much better when you actually stand along the route and watch it happen.
Dahi and Makhan Bhog for Krishna
Jal Jhulni Ekadashi is closely associated with Lord Krishna, and dahi and makhan are among the traditional offerings made to Krishna on this occasion.
Fruits and other bhog are also offered according to temple and family traditions.
The sight of Krishna beautifully decorated, the bhog being prepared and devotees gathering for darshan creates a very different atmosphere from an ordinary temple visit.
For me, these small details are what make the festival feel personal and familiar.
Ram Revadi in Mewar
The term Ram Revadi is particularly familiar in the Mewar region for these traditional deity processions.
The exact route and customs can differ from one place to another, but the central idea remains similar — the deity comes out of the temple in a decorated palki, devotees accompany the procession and the deity is taken towards water.
It is not just a religious ceremony. It is also a beautiful example of how old traditions continue to remain a living part of Mewar's everyday culture.
Places to Experience Jal Jhulni Ekadashi in Mewar
If you want to experience the festival beyond Udaipur, there are several important temples you can include in your Mewar travel plan.
1. Jagdish Temple, Udaipur
Route: Jagdish Temple → Old City → Gangaur Ghat → Gangu kund
For a first experience, this is the route I would personally choose in Udaipur.
You get to experience the procession through the old city and then see the rituals near Lake Pichola at Gangaur Ghat.
2. Sanwariya Seth, Mandphiya, Chittorgarh
Route: Udaipur → Chittorgarh → Mandphiya
Sanwariya Seth is another major Krishna temple associated with Jal Jhulni celebrations.
The temple sees a large gathering of devotees, and the deity is taken out in a traditional procession.
The Utsav portal also lists Jal Jhulni Ekadashi celebrations at Sanwaliya Ji Temple in Mandphiya, including the procession towards the village kund.
3. Shrinathji, Nathdwara
Route: Udaipur → Nathdwara → Shrinathji Temple
Nathdwara is one of Rajasthan's most important Vaishnav pilgrimage centres.
If you want to experience the devotional side of Mewar along with the atmosphere of Jal Jhulni, Shrinathji can be an important stop on your temple trail.
4. Dwarkadhish Temple, Kankroli
Route: Nathdwara → Kankroli → Dwarkadhish Temple
From Nathdwara, you can continue towards Kankroli in Rajsamand and visit the famous Dwarkadhish Temple.
The area has a strong Vaishnav tradition and is another important place to explore during the festival season.
5. Charbhuja Nath Temple, Garhbor
Route: Kankroli → Garhbor → Charbhuja Nath Temple
Charbhuja Nath is one of the important places to experience Jal Jhulni Ekadashi in the Mewar region.
The celebration includes a traditional procession in which the deity is carried in a palki towards the water, with devotees gathering along the route.
The Ministry of Tourism's Utsav portal describes the Jal Jhulni celebration at Charbhuja Nath, including the palki procession towards Doodh Talai and devotees participating along the route.
My Suggested Mewar Route
If you are planning a temple-focused trip from Udaipur, you can consider this route:
Udaipur
↓
Jagdish Temple → Gangaur Ghat
↓
Nathdwara → Shrinathji Temple
↓
Kankroli → Dwarkadhish Temple
↓
Garhbor → Charbhuja Nath Temple
Sanwariya Seth, Mandphiya can be planned separately along with a Chittorgarh visit because it falls in a different direction.
I would personally not try to cover all of these places in a single day. The celebrations can attract large crowds, and every temple has its own schedule and local traditions.
Choosing one or two places and giving yourself enough time to actually experience the procession is much better than rushing from one temple to another.
What Makes Jal Jhulni Special to Me?
For me, Jal Jhulni Ekadashi is not only about the religious ritual.
It is the sight of a decorated palki coming out of the temple.
It is people standing along the road with flowers, coconuts and fruits.
It is the sound of bhajans following the procession.
It is the red gulal and the excitement among devotees.
It is families waiting together for darshan.
And then there is the moment when the palki reaches the water and the aarti begins.
These are the moments that make the festival memorable.
As someone who belongs to this region, I feel that Mewar's festivals have a special way of bringing old traditions into everyday life. You do not need a stage or a special event venue to experience them. The streets, temples, ghats and people themselves become part of the celebration.
If You Want to Watch Ram Revadi in Udaipur
If you are visiting Udaipur around Jal Jhulni Ekadashi, I would suggest reaching the old city early and keeping your vehicle at a suitable parking point.
From there, you can walk towards the procession route.
Be prepared for crowds, especially near the temple and Gangaur Ghat. If you are carrying a phone or camera, keep it protected because gulal and the crowd can get intense.
And most importantly, do not look at the procession only as a photo opportunity.
Stand there for a while.
Watch the devotees.
Listen to the bhajans.
See how people welcome Thakurji.
That is where you really understand the beauty of Ram Revadi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jal Jhulni Ekadashi?
Jal Jhulni Ekadashi is an important Ekadashi observed during the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada. It is associated with Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna and with the tradition of taking the deity towards water.
Why is Jal Jhulni Ekadashi called Parivartini Ekadashi?
According to Hindu belief, Lord Vishnu changes his sleeping position on this Ekadashi during Chaturmas. This change is why the day is known as Parivartini Ekadashi.
What is Daan Ekadashi?
Daan Ekadashi is a local name used for Jal Jhulni Ekadashi in parts of Mewar. Local names and customs can vary across Rajasthan.
What is Ram Revadi?
Ram Revadi is the traditional procession in which the deity is taken out from the temple in a decorated palki or bewan, usually towards a water body or ghat.
Where can I watch Ram Revadi in Udaipur?
In Udaipur, the procession associated with Jagdish Temple moves through the old city towards Gangaur Ghat near Lake Pichola.
Why do people pass under the palki?
There is a local religious belief that passing under the deity's palki brings blessings and helps remove difficulties and illnesses. It is a matter of faith and tradition.
What bhog is offered to Krishna on Jal Jhulni Ekadashi?
Dahi and makhan are traditionally associated with Krishna's bhog on this occasion. Fruits and other offerings may also be prepared according to local and family traditions.
Which places in Mewar are associated with Jal Jhulni celebrations?
Important places include Jagdish Temple in Udaipur, Sanwariya Seth in Mandphiya, Shrinathji in Nathdwara, Dwarkadhish Temple in Kankroli and Charbhuja Nath in Garhbor.
A Festival I Have Grown Up Watching
Every region has its own way of celebrating festivals, but Mewar has a special charm.
For me, Jal Jhulni Ekadashi is not simply a date on the Hindu calendar. It is something I have seen around me — the palki, the devotees, the flowers, the gulal, the bhajans and the aarti near the water.
That is what I love about Rajasthan.
Some of its most beautiful traditions are not found only inside monuments or museums. They are still alive on the streets, in the temples and among the people.
And Ram Revadi is one of those traditions I always love watching.
Have you ever watched a Jal Jhulni or Ram Revadi procession in Mewar? Which temple did you experience it at?
Written by Pragya Puri Goswami
Founder | LakeCity Blog
Exploring Rajasthan through real stories, heritage, local businesses, food, and unforgettable travel experiences.
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