Kamika Ekadashi: Timings, Vrat Katha, Rituals, and Significance

Kamika Ekadashi is one of the significant Ekadashi Vrats that falls on the 11th day of Krishna Paksha (Waning Moon) during the month of ‘Shravan’ as per the North Indian Hindu calendar. However in the Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu and Kannada calendar, this ekadashi is observed in the ‘Ashada’ month. In the English calendar it corresponds to the months of July-August.

Kamika Ekadashi 2024 is on July 31, Wednesday

3 months and 1 day to go for the event

Ekadashi Tithi Begins: July 30, 4:45 pm
Ekadashi Tithi Ends: July 31, 3:56 pm
Parana Time: August 01, 6:01 am - 8:38 am
Kamika Ekadashi 2024 timings.

(* The mentioned timings are in IST, for Ujjain. To change the location, visit the Panchang page.)

Kamika ekadashi comes after Shayani Ekadashi and is followed by Shravan Putrada Ekadashi.

Important Timings On Kamika Ekadashi 2024

Kamika Ekadashi is also the first ekadashi observance that falls during ‘Chaturmas’, the auspicious period dedicated to worshipping Sri Krishna. It is a day dedicated to worshipping Lord Vishnu in his Sridhara form, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindus all across the world. It is believed that this holy ekadashi pardons all the sins and the person attains ‘moksha’. Kamika Ekadashi also helps one to be relieved from ‘Pitru Dosha’.

Vrat Katha

Listen to Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Katha In English

Listen to Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Katha In Hindi

Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Katha as mentioned in the ancient Hindu scripture of Padma Puran is as follows:

Yudhisthira asked: O Govinda, please tell us the name of the Ekadashi that falls in the dark half of Sravana.

Sri Krishna replied: Listen, O King. I will narrate to you the account that removes sins, which Brahma previously shared with Narada when he inquired about it.

Narada said: O Kamalasana, lord, I wish to hear from you the name of the Ekadashi that falls in the dark half of Sravana, its presiding deity, the manner of its observance, and its religious significance. Please enlighten me on these matters.

Brahma, upon hearing Narada's words, spoke as follows: Narada, listen attentively. I will inform you about the Ekadasi named Kamika, which falls in the dark half of Sravana and is beneficial for the welfare of people. One can attain the merits of performing a Vajapeya sacrifice just by hearing about it. Allow me to explain the rewards that a person who worships the lord of gods, bearing a conch, disc, and mace, receives. I will describe the meritorious results obtained by worshipping or meditating upon Hari, Visnu, or Madhusudana, who is commonly known as Sri Hari.

The results one obtains by worshipping Krishna on this day are not achieved through bathing in the Ganges or visiting Kasi, Naimisharanya, or Puskara. These results can only be attained through worshipping Krishna. He obtains that same fruit by worshipping Krishna, which he obtains by bathing in Godavari or Dandaka while Jupiter is in the Leo sign. Both the person who donates gold, land with ponds, and silver, and the person who observes the Kamika Ekadashi vrat are said to obtain the same fruits.

The observance of the Kamika Vrat yields the same rewards as offering a milch cow along with household items. Worshiping Lord Visnu in Sravana is believed to be equivalent to worshipping the gods along with Gandharvas, Uragas, and Pannagas. Therefore, individuals who fear sin should make every effort, according to their capacity, to worship Vishnu on the day of Kamika. This vow is most beneficial for those who are entangled in worldly existence filled with the mud of sins. It is unparalleled in its purity and ability to remove sins. Narada, this is how it is. Even Lord Vishnu himself has affirmed it. The rewards obtained by those who observe the Kamika vrat are far superior to those obtained by those pursuing knowledge of the supreme spirit.

Those who observe the Kamika Vrat by staying awake throughout the night, are spared from encountering the fearsome Yama or any calamity. They are not born into an unfavorable lineage due to their observance of the Kamika vrat. The enlightened saints who have attained ultimate liberation have done so by observing the Kamika vrat. Therefore, individuals who have disciplined themselves should make every effort to observe this vrat. Worshiping Vishnu with Tulasi leaves cleanses one of all the sins in this world, and he remains just as a lotus leaf remains untainted in water. By worshipping Vishnu with a Tulasi leaf, one attains the same rewards as offering a measure of gold or fourfold silver.

Vishnu is more pleased with Tulasi leaves than with offerings of gems, pearls, lapis lazuli, and corals. The sins accumulated from birth are eradicated by worshipping Vishnu with Tulasi sprouts. My salutations to the Tulasi, whose sight destroys the entire heap of sins, whose touch purifies the body, whose salutation removes diseases, whose sprinkling terrifies Yama, whose presence brings proximity to Lord Krishna, and whose placement at the lord's feet grants instant salvation. Even Chitragupta cannot fathom the extent of the religious merit obtained by a person who provides a lamp to burn day and night on the day dedicated to Vishnu.

The deceased ancestors of such a person, whose lamp burns in front of Vishnu, reside in heaven and are gratified with nectars. By lighting a lamp with ghee or sesame oil, one gains the honor of a hundred crore lamps and ascends to the realm of the Sun.

These are the significances of the Kamika vow. It should be observed by individuals as it removes all sins, including the sins of murdering a brahmana or causing abortion. Observers of this vow attain the abode of Vishnu and acquire great religious merit. Those who have faith and listen to the greatness of this vow will reach the world of Vishnu and be liberated from all sins.

Rituals during Kamika Ekadashi:

On the day of Kamika Ekadashi the devotees must worship Lord Vishnu with full fervour and devotion. People get up early and the lord is worshipped with Tulsi leaves, flowers, fruits and sesame seeds. Later Panchamrut Abhishek is also done. There is also a practice of lighting a lamp in front of the God and ask for forgiveness for all the sins committed.

On this day there is a special significance of worshipping Tulsi plant as Tulsiji is considered sacred to Lord Vishnu. Mere sighting of Tulsi leaves on Kamika Ekadashi will wash away all the sins and by offering prayers to Her will eradicate all the diseases. Watering of Tulsi plant will protect the person from the wrath of Lord Yama, the God of Death. So it plays a major role during the Kamika Ekadashi vrat rituals and most of the Hindus plant Tulsi in their houses for this reason.

On Kamika Ekadashi, people observe a complete fast by abstaining from drinking or eating anything all day long. If complete fast is not possible then partial fast can also be undertaken. In this eating fruits and milk products is allowed. The ekadashi fast is broken on the next day, ‘Dwadashi’ (12th day) after giving food and donating money and clothes to Brahmins.

The observer of Kamika Ekadashi vrat must keep jagran at night and sing kirtans and bhajans in the praise of Lord Vishnu. Reading ‘Vishnu Sahastrsanaam’ and chanting ‘Om Namo Narayana’ is considered auspicious on this day.

On Kamika Ekadashi, Hindus also visit pilgrim centres and take bath in various ‘Tirthas’ like Ganga, Godavari, Yamuna, Krishna and Cauvery to name a few. This day is of great importance in Lord Vishnu temples. Special puja, Abhishek, bhajans and aarti are performed on this day. A variety of ‘Bhog’ is prepared for this occasion and offered to Lord Vishnu.

Significance of Kamika Ekadashi:

Kamika Ekadashi is an auspicious fasting day of Hindus. It has been cited in the ‘Brahmavaivratt Purana’ that whoever performs this vrat will be benefitted with great values and achieve greater deeds that one receives by hosting various yagnas.

The Kamika Ekadashi fast fulfils the wishes of its observer and blesses them with a prosperous life. It also takes them on the path of spirituality that ultimately leads them to the supreme creator. Therefore it can be rightly said that by performing the Kamika Ekadashi vrat the person will never have to tread the path of ‘Yampuri’ and instead achieve a divine place in ‘Vaikunth’, the abode of Lord Vishnu.

FAQs

Why is Kamika Ekadashi called so?

"Kaama" in Sanskrit translates to "Desire" in English. Kaami is the person who desires, and Kaamik is the object related to the desire. Therefore, the name "Kamika Ekadashi" can be understood as the most sought-after Ekadashi by the desirous people, or the most desired Ekadashi, as it facilitates the attainment of salvation from all sins, even grave sins like murdering a Brahmin and abortion of a child. In the era of Kalyug, humans tend to favor this Ekadashi because it is during this age that the burden of sins is most prevalent.

When can I break the Kamika Ekadashi fast?

The time for breaking the fast (vrat) in Hindu culture is called Parana. The Parana time for breaking the Kamika Ekadashi Fast 2024 is from August 01, 6:01 am to 8:38 am.
(*The mentioned timings are in IST, for Ujjain. To change the location, visit Panchang.)
Kamika Ekadashi 2024 important timings.

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