Kamada Ekadashi
Chaitra Shukla Paksha Ekadashi is celebrated as Kamada Ekadasi. This day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Ekadas is translated to eleven in sanskrit, Eka-1 and Dash/Das meaning 10. Ekadashi is an auspicious day to transform our sense organs and its associated actions towards liberation using our mind. This day holds a great spiritual relevance and is often considered as a penance.
Kamada Ekadashi Date 2023
Sat , 1st Apr 2023
History of Ekadashi
In SathyaYug, a demon named Mura or Murdanav terrorised the earth by causing severe harm to people. They prayed to Lord Vishnu to put an end to their sufferings. Lord Vishnu created a goddess by the name Ekadashi to slay the demon on the 11th lunar day. After Ekadashi defeated the demon, pleased Lord Vishnu endowed the goddess with a boon that anyone who observes ritualistic fast on this day will free himself from all forms of sins and mental impurities, also gets on fast track towards Moksha, the devotee will also be held close to Lord Vishnu’s heart.
Rituals
The best way to celebrate Ekadashi is to observe fast and chant Vedic mantras. Ekadashi fasting means spiritual cleansing, a spiritual detoxification of all senses. People refrain from consuming solid food, grains, pulses or lentils on this day. According to ancient Vedic scriptures, the Ekadashi fast spans for about three days. The day prior to Ekadasi, i.e On Dashami, devotees relish one healthy balanced meal around the afternoon or before sunset to ensure no residual food remains in the body during Ekadashi. On Ekadashi, devotees observe a sincere, clean fast and break the fast after sunrise of the next day. This has been the ritualistic fasting process. In today’s world people follow different types of fast-
Nirjala Ekadashi: ultimate fast. Fast the whole day without eating and drinking water.
Sajala Ekadashi: like a juice fast. Consume water and fruit juices.
Farali Ekadashi: Fruit diet that is commonly followed. Consume Fruits and Milk only.
Wake up in the brahma muhurat, take bath and clean sacred live space at home for pooja and bhajan ceremonies. We can recite or meditate on Vishnu Sahasranama during this time. Or be with the mantra “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaaya” all day, learn more Vishnu Mantras. Choose a fast that suits your schedule for the day or activities for the day. It is generally preferred to avoid grains and pulses, or lentils, tubers on Ekadesi. Eat fruits, positive prana foods like coconut, coconut water, dairy products, peppercorn, honey, and nuts. Stay mindful of your every thought and action. Offer flowers and light a lamp for Tulsi plant. We can participate in bhajan or homa remedy ceremonies. Temple visits, offerings and donations are advised since they can deepen the sense of devotion. Refrain from negative emotions like hate, anger, greed, jealously and violence choose happier, inclusive attributes like empathy, care, faith, integrity.
Pregnant women, elderly people can skip fasting and rather chant & internalise Lord Vishnu Mantras. Children below the age of 12 can also avoid fasting since they are in the assimilation phase of their life.
We also suggest other modes of fasting like gadget free fast- taking a break from social media for a day, staying away from watching television, or mobile phone or even gaming gadgets and other distractive media. This can also create a significant amount of awareness and mindfulness
Benefits
Kamada Ekadashi festival dates between 2019 & 2029
Year | Date |
---|---|
2019 | Monday, 15th of April |
2020 | Saturday, 4th of April |
2021 | Friday, 23rd of April |
2022 | Tuesday, 12th of April |
2023 | Saturday, 1st of April |
2024 | Friday, 19th of April |
2025 | Tuesday, 8th of April |
2026 | Sunday, 29th of March |
2027 | Saturday, 17th of April |
2028 | Wednesday, 5th of April |
2029 | Tuesday, 24th of April |
Other Related Festivals
- Aja Ekadashi
Sun , 10th Sep 2023 - Amalaki Ekadashi
Fri , 3rd Mar 2023 - Apara Ekadashi
Mon , 15th May 2023 - Jaya Ekadashi
Wed , 1st Feb 2023 - Nirjala Ekadashi
Wed , 31st May 2023 - Padmini Ekadashi
Sat , 29th Jul 2023 - Papamochani Ekadashi
Sat , 18th Mar 2023 - Parsva Ekadashi
Mon , 25th Sep 2023 - Saphala Ekadashi
Mon , 19th Dec 2022 - Vaishnava Kamada Ekadashi
Thu , 6th Apr 2028