"Kamada Ekadashi"- Fulfilling Desires And Seeking Blessings

'Kamada' means 'fulfillment of desires'. Kamada Ekadashi falls on the 11th lunar day (ekadashi) of the fortnight of the waxing moon in Chaitra month. As per Gregorian calendar, it is observed in the month of March or April. This year, it is on the '19 April 2024.'

As per “Drik Panchang”, the “tithi” for “Kamada Ekadashi” in the year ‘24 is as follows:

Kamada Ekadashi on Friday, April 19, 2024

• Ekadashi Tithi Begins - 05:31 PM on Apr 18, 2024
• Ekadashi Tithi Ends - 08:04 PM on Apr 19, 2024

Being the very first Ekadashi in the Hindu New Year, it's commemorated straight after the celebrations of Chaitra Navratri and Rama Navami all across India, especially in parts of Southern India like Bangalore. It's also known as 'Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi.'

On Kamada Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu is worshiped in the form of Lord Krishna, the Vasudev. The devotees keep an absolute fast & perform Puja to Lord Vishnu. This fast is considered to cure diseases & bless childless couples with desired progeny. Most importantly, it fulfills people's wishes, hence it's known by the name 'Phalada Ekadashi Vrat.' “Parana”, i.e. breaking of fast, is to be done the next day, i.e. on Dwadashi.

As per “Drik Panchang”,

• On 20th Apr, Parana Time - 05:50 AM to 08:26 AM
• On Parana Day Dwadashi End Moment - 10:41 PM

Offering flowers, fruits & other items to the Almighty, and chanting mantras and hymns relieves one from past offenses. Some people also read the Bhagavad Gita or other religious texts on this pious day. In some parts of India, grand processions are observed. People dress in traditional attire & carry the idols of Lord Vishnu & other deities in beautifully decorated chariots. The procession is accompanied by music, dance and other cultural activities.

The significance of Kamada Ekadashi has been given in Varaha Purana where Shri Krishna narrates to King Yudhisthira that:

Once, a city of sharp-fanged snakes called Ratnapura was ruled by the king Pundarika. There lived a Gandharva couple namely Lalit & Lalita who used to perform at the royal court as a singer and a dancer respectively. They loved each other so much. One day, Lalit was singing in the court in front of the King & others. His wife wasn't present there. Hence missing her, he suddenly deviated from his singing & missed some beats. As a result, he lost track of the song's melody. Karkotaka, a Naga from Patala region, noticed this & complained immediately to the King. Pundarika got infuriated and cursed Lalit to become a monstrous cannibal. As a result, Lalita got very anxious. Despite being the wife of a Gandharva, she had to spend the rest of her life wandering here and there with her husband. Fortunately, they reached the Sage Shringi around the Vindhyachal hills. Upon asking, Lalita informed the sage about their problem & asked for help. The sage suggested that she observe Kamada Ekadashi's Vrat (Phalada Ekadashi Vrat). She did the same & prayed to the Almighty to free her husband from the curse. As a result, Lalit was given back his original Gandharva form.

Listening or reading the Kamada Ekadashi vrata Katha is also believed to free one from all sins. And it's considered that formerly this story was narrated by Saint Vashishta to Maharaja Dilip, the great grandfather of Shri Ram.

Apart from this, this day is believed to provide salvation, grant all the desires, cleanse even the most heinous sins, free the devotee and his or her family members from curses, help regain and improve virtues, and bless one with success, prosperity, endeavor and enlightenment in life.

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