Vaishnava Kamada Ekadashi

Vaishnava Kamada Ekadashi is a significant fasting ritual for Hare Krishna followers that is observed on the ‘ekadashi’ (11th day) of the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of moon) during the ‘Vishnu’ month of the Vaishnava calendar. If you consult the Gregorian calendar, the date falls in between March to April and in the month of ‘Chaitra’ in the Hindu calendar. The Kamada Ekadashi is believed to be highly virtuous and destroys all the sins of its observer. By observing a fast on this day, all the wishes can come true. Kamada Ekadashi, just like other ekadashis, is dedicated to worshipping Sri Hari Vishnu. The Vaishnava Sampraday temples organize several programmes on the day of Kamada Ekadashi.

There is no Vaishnava Kamada Ekadashi in 2024

Lord Vishnu

Rituals during Kamada Ekadashi:

• On the day of Vaishnava Kamada Ekadashi devotees wake up early and take a bath. Strict fast is observed on this day and not a grain of food or water is taken all day long. The fast sometimes, commences on the previous day ‘Dashami’ and only one meal is taken before noon. This is done to ensure that no trace of food remains in the stomach on ekadashi.
• The Ekadashi Parana (breaking of fast) of the Kamada Ekadashi is done on the following day ‘dwadashi’ (1th day) after sunrise. There is a specific time mentioned in the Vaishnava calendar for observing Parana and it also varies from place to place.
• Even those devotees who do not fast on Vaishnava Kamada Ekadashi there are certain foods that are strictly prohibited to be eaten on this day. It includes wheat, rice, barley, all forms of pulses and grains, sesame seeds, chickpeas, carrots and some spices like asafoetida, tamarind, mustard, nutmeg and fenugreek.
• On Kamada Ekadashi, Sri Krishna, who is a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, is devotedly worshipped by Vaishnavites. The idol of the lord is worshipped with milk, ‘panchamrit’, sesame seeds, flowers, fruits and other essentials used in puja rituals. The devotees chant the name of Lord Vishnu and sing religious hymns in His praise. During the evening they even visit close Lord Vishnu temples and offer prayers there. Reading ‘Vishnu Sahasranaam’ and ‘Bhagavad Gita’ is believed to be highly meritorious on the day of Vaishnava Kamada Ekadashi.

Significance of Kamada Ekadashi:

The countless glories of Kamada Ekadashi are given in the ‘Varaha Purana’ as a delightful conversation between Lord Krishna and King Yudhisthira. As the name suggests, Kamada Ekadashi grants fulfilment of all desires and is also the first ekadashi observance following the Hindu New Year. By observing this auspicious ekadashi vrat, according to the Hindu beliefs, person gains freedoms from the most heinous sins like killing a Brahmin. The Vaishnava Kamada Ekadashi also helps its observer to free himself and his/her family members from any curses. This sacred ekadashi also opens the door of ‘Swargaloka’ (heaven) for its observer. The Vaishnava Kamada Ekadashi vrat is even meritorious to bless married couples to have children. Hence one should definitely observe the fast and rituals of Vaishnava Kamada Ekadashi to be bestowed with a peaceful and happy life.