Kamika Ekadashi is one of the most important Ekadashi fasts that’s observed on the 11th day of Krishna Paksha (new moon) during the ‘Shravan’ month as per the Purnimant calendar, or Ashadha month according to the Amavasyant calendar. Kamika Ekadashi comes after Shayani Ekadashi and is followed by Shravan Putrada Ekadashi. This fast is also the very first Ekadashi that falls during ‘Chaturmas’, the sacred period that is dedicated to worshipping Lord Krishna. The day is celebrated with a variety of rituals by Hindus across the country. Devotees also keep the Kamika Ekadashi Fast on this day to get all their wishes fulfilled.
Chaturmas starts on Devshayani Ekadashi. Read more about it.
When is Kamika Ekadashi 2023?
Kamika Ekadashi falls on Thursday, July 13, 2023.
- Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 10:29 p.m on July 12, 2023
- Ekadashi Tithi Ends: 10:54 p.m on July 13, 2023
- Parana Tithi (breaking fast) of Ekadashi: 07:33 a.m to 09:31 a.m July 14, 2023.
Benefits of Kamika Ekadashi Vrat
Kamika Ekadashi is considered to be a pivotal fasting day in Hinduism. It’s mentioned in the ‘Brahma Vaivarta Purana’ that any devotee who successfully completes the Kamika Ekadashi Vrat can gain happiness, success and prosperity in life. All their wishes are fulfilled by conducting various Yagyas. It is believed that this holy fast also helps to eradicate all diseases and take the devotees on the path of spirituality and ultimate devotion.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna narrated to Yudhishthir the significance of Kamika Ekadashi during the Mahabharata. He said that the vrat eliminates all the sins of the devotee keeping the fast and helping in attaining ‘moksha’. Kamika Ekadashi also helps one to eliminate ‘Pitru Dosha’. Thus, it’s rightly said that keeping the Kamika Ekadashi fast can help the performer to achieve a divine place in the Vaikunth, the abode of Lord Vishnu.
Also Read: Importance of Pitru Paksha Shradha
Puja Offerings
Flowers, fruits, Diya, sweets, incense sticks, basil leaves (Tulsi Patta), sacred thread, Ganga Jal, milk, sandalwood paste (Chandan), and yellow clothes.
Kamika Ekadashi 2023 Puja Vidhi
On the fasting day, devotees get up early in the morning and take a bath before sunrise. They should clean the puja place, decorate it and install the idol or image of Lord Vishnu. Then the devotees perform the puja by offering yellow clothes to Lord Vishnu along with sandalwood paste, an earthen lamp, basil leaves, flower garlands, etc. Panchamrit Abhishek of Lord Vishnu is performed too. On this day, there is a special significance in worshipping the Tulsi plant as it is considered very sacred.
It is believed that worshipping the Tulsi plant will also please Lord Vishnu more since Lord Vishnu got married to Maa Tulsi by Tulsi Vivah. Special bhog is also offered to Lord Vishnu and various Vishnu bhajans and mantras are chanted as well as Satyanarayan Katha is organised to please the deity. Prasad is offered after the puja. The devotees can break their fast in Parana on the next day after donating clothes and money to the Brahmins.
Know more Satyanarayan Vrat Katha
Kamika Ekadashi 2023 Mantra
“Ashvmedhsahastrani Rajsuyashtani ch, Ekadashyupavasasya kalam naharnti shodshim”.
This mantra means that even a hundred ‘Raja Suya Yagyas’ or a thousand ‘Ashvamedha Yagyas’ wouldn’t ever be able to match the blessings and benefits the devotees receive by observing the Kamika Ekadashi fast.
Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Katha
According to a mythological story, once there lived a Brahmin and another powerful man in a village. They both were loggerheads and enemies of each other. They always fought for various reasons. Once, when the dispute between the both escalated due to some reason, the powerful man killed the Brahmin in anger. Then he was despised by society for committing the sin of killing a Brahmin. So, he approached a sage and asked how he can get freedom from this sin since it was bothering him a lot. The sage suggested that he observe the Kamika Ekadashi fast to get rid of the sin of killing a Brahmin. He also asked him to worship Lord Vishnu on that day. The man followed what the sage said and got rid of the sin and could finally attain salvation.
As per another legend, King Yudhishthira once asked Lord Krishna to explain the significance and benefits of observing a vrat on Shravana/Sawan, Krishna Paksha Ekadashi. To answer the question, Lord Krishna described the conversation between Lord Brahma and his son Devarshi Narada Muni to Yudhishthira. He said that in the conversation, Lord Brahma explained the religious importance of the Kamika Ekadashi fast and how beneficial it can be to Narad Muni.
Also, know the Importance of Shravan/Sawan Somvar 2023
Kamika Ekadashi 2023 Fasting Rules
- On the fasting day, devotees should wake up in the Brahma Muhurta i.e. 2 hours before sunrise.
- Before starting the fast, they should do Dhyana (meditation) and Sankalp i.e. pledge to observe the vrat with full sincerity and dedication.
- Devotees should try to keep a complete Nirjala Vrat without eating or drinking water, if possible.
- Otherwise, they can also keep a partial fast in which they can eat fruits and drink milk only.
- Consuming onion, garlic, meat, rice, tobacco, alcohol, wheat, lentils and legumes is strictly prohibited on this day.
- It is considered auspicious if the devotees stay awake (Jagran) the entire night and indulge themselves in reciting the bhajans of Lord Vishnu.
- The fast can be broken only on the next day i.e. on Dwadashi during Parana Time.
Learn about the Religious Benefits of Fasting on Ekadashi
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