Kamada Ekadashi: Significance | Rituals | Tithi

Kamada Ekadashi is a day of fasting which is supposed to remove poverty and sorrow from the life of the devotee. It is a holy day where people worship Shri Hari or Lord Vishnu and observe fast for a better life. 

Significance:

Kamada Ekadashi is a very important Hindu festival that is observed on the eleventh day of the month of Chaitra. This is basically the first Ekadashi of the Hindu calendar and is performed by many people all across the country. The act of fasting is meant for Lord Vishnu and is meant to bring one prosperity and happiness.

Rituals:

People who intend to observe the fast need to wake up early in the morning to bathe and meditate. Water in a copper vessel and prayers are offered to the Sun God at the beginning of the day. This is followed by the puja vidhi of bathing Lord Vishnu’s idol or picture in water from the holy Ganga. Then the idol is offered yellow clothes, flowers, and sweets. The story of Kamada Ekadashi is read and aarti takes place. There is a certain belief that states that Kamada Ekadashi is so powerful that one can get freedom from serious sins like Brahma Murder. It is essential to listen to the story of Kamada Ekadashi when you are fasting and worshiping. This is meant to be a crucial part of the entire ritual and can not be skipped. There are certain things that observers of the fast should never do on this auspicious day. They can not sleep during the day, they should not lie, and they should not get angry.

Tithi:

The Hindu calendar states that the fast of Kamada Ekadashi can be held on both the 1st and 2nd of April, 2023. The 2023 date is meant to be divided into two days so that the first day is dedicated to fasting by the family members and the second day is meant for the Vaishnav community. 

Here are the exact puja timings that you need to know –

 Kamada Ekadashi starts – 1 April, 1:58 AM. On this day householders are meant to hold the fast from 1:40 PM to 4:10 PM the next day.

 Kamada Ekadashi ends – 2 April, 4:19 PM. On this day sadhus, saints, and people from the Vaishnav sect will hold the fast from 6:09 AM to 6:24 AM the
next day.