Kamika Ekadashi 2023 is one of the most important Ekadashi fasts observe on the 11th day of Krishna Paksha (New Moon) during the month of “Shravan” according to 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’, a sacred period dedicated to the worship of Lord Krishna. The day is celebrated by Hindus across the country with various rituals. Devotees also observe the Kamika Ekadashi fast on this day to get all their wishes fulfill.
Kamika Ekadashi 2023 Puja Muhurta
Kamika Ekadashi falls on Thursday, July 13, 2023.
- Ekadashi Tithi Start: July 12, 2023, at 10:29 PM
- Ekadashi Tithi Ends: July 13, 2023, at 10:54 PM
- Parana Tithi (breaking of fast) of Ekadashi: from 07:33 to 09:31 on 14 July 2023.
Mantra
Om Namah Bhagwate Vasu Devaye Namah!!
Benefits of Kamika Ekadashi Vrat
Kamika Ekadashi is consider a key fasting day in Hinduism. In ‘Brahma Vaivarta Purana’ it is mention that any devotee who successfully completes Ekadashi Vrat can get happiness, success and prosperity in life. All their wishes are fulfill by performing various Yagyas. This holy fast is also believe to help eradicate all diseases and guide the devotees to the path of spirituality and ultimate devotion.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna told Yudhishthira about the significance of Kamika Ekadashi during the Mahabharata. He said that the vrat removes all the sins of the fasting devotee and helps to attain ‘moksha’. Kamika Ekadashi also helps to remove “Pitru Dosha”. So it is rightly said that keeping Kamika Ekadashi fast can help the artist to attain the divine place in Vaikunth, the abode of Lord Vishnu.
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 a fast day, devotees rise early in the morning and bathe before sunrise. They should clean, decorate and install an idol or image of Lord Vishnu instead of the puja. Then devotees perform puja by offering yellow clothes to Lord Vishnu along with sandalwood paste, earthen lamp, basil leaves, flower garlands etc. Panchamrit Abhishek of Lord Vishnu is also perform. Worshipping the Tulsi plant has special significance on this day as it is consider very sacre.
Worshipping the Tulsi plant is also believe to please Lord Vishnu more as Lord Vishnu married Maa Tulsi Tulsi Vivah. A special bhoga is also offer to Lord Vishnu and various Vishnu bhajans and mantras are chant as well as Satyanarayan Katha is organize to please the deity. Prasad is offer after the puja. Devotees may break their Parana fast the following day after donating clothes and money to Brahmins.
Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Story
According to a mythological story, there once lived in a village a Brahmin and another powerful man. Both were enemies and enemies. They always fought for different reasons. Once, when the dispute between the two escalated for some reason, the powerful man killed the Brahmin in anger. He was then despise by society for committing the sin of killing a Brahmin. So he approached the sage and asked how he could be freed from this sin, as it was troubling him greatly. 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, got rid of his sin and could finally achieve salvation.
According to another legend, King Yudhishthira once asked Lord Krishna to explain the significance and benefits of observing the vrata on Shravana/Sawan, Krishna Paksha Ekadashi. To answer the question, Lord Krishna described to Yudhishthira a conversation between Lord Brahma and his son Devarshi Narada Muni. He said that in the conversation Lord Brahma explained the religious significance of the Kamika Ekadashi fast and how it can be beneficial to Narada Muni.
Kamika Ekadashi 2023 Fasting Rules & Rituals
- On the fasting day, devotees should wake up in Brahma Muhurta i.e. 2 hours before sunrise.
- Before starting the fast, they should perform Dhyana (meditation) and Sankalp i.e. undertake to observe the vrat with full sincerity and devotion.
- Devotees should try to maintain a complete Nirjala Vrat without eating or drinking water if possible.
- Otherwise, they can keep a partial fast, in which they can eat fruit and drink only milk.
- Eating onions, garlic, meat, rice, tobacco, alcohol, wheat, lentils and legumes is strictly prohibit on this day.
- It is consider auspicious if devotees stay awake (Jhagran) throughout the night and indulge in the recitation of Lord Vishnu’s bhajans.
- The fast can be broke only on the following day i.e. on Dwadashi during Parana Time.
