Kamika Ekadashi 2025

In Sanatan Dharma, the day of Ekadashi is considered an extremely sacred and significant date dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This day holds special importance for spiritual progress, self-purification, and liberation from sins. Each month has two Ekadashis—one in the Shukla Paksha and one in the Krishna Paksha—each carrying its own unique significance.

What is Kamika Ekadashi?

Kamika Ekadashi falls in the Krishna Paksha of the Shravan month. Its literal meaning is "the Ekadashi that fulfils desires." It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver and protector of the universe. On this day, devotees follow special rituals and fasting practices to receive the boundless grace of Lord Vishnu.
The Kamika Ekadashi fast is considered highly effective for destroying sins and attaining salvation. It is not seen merely as a religious ritual but as a "spiritual reset." It provides the devotee with an opportunity to free themselves from the karmic burden and inner unrest caused by wrongful actions and sins. This fast serves as a powerful tool for erasing sins and moving toward liberation, establishing inner peace and a deeper connection with the Supreme. It highlights that in Hinduism, fasting is not just an external observance but a profound means of inner purification, repentance, and spiritual renewal—directly linked to the principles of karma and moksha.

Kamika Ekadashi 2025: Date and Auspicious Timings

In 2025, Kamika Ekadashi will be observed on Monday, 21 July. It falls on the Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravan, and worship of Lord Vishnu on this day is particularly fruitful.

• Ekadashi Date: 21 July 2025
• Ekadashi Begins: 20 July 2025 at 12:15 PM
• Ekadashi Ends: 21 July 2025 at 9:40 AM

The Fasting story of Kamika Ekadashi

According to legend, there once lived a kind-hearted but short-tempered landlord in a village. One day, unable to control his anger, he got into an argument with a Brahmin and accidentally killed him during a scuffle.

Due to the grave sin of Brahma-hatya (killing a Brahmin), the landlord was socially and religiously ostracized, and he became deeply repentant. In his search for liberation from this sin, he sought advice from Brahmins or a wise sage. A sage advised him to observe the Kamika Ekadashi fast of Shravan month with complete devotion and proper rituals. The landlord followed the sage’s instructions. One night, he had a dream in which Lord Hari Vishnu appeared and told him that he had been freed from his sin.

From then on, the observance of Kamika Ekadashi began. This story was narrated by Lord Krishna to Yudhishthira and was previously told by Sage Vashistha to King Dilip, who attained salvation by the effect of this fast.

This tale illustrates the immense power of the Kamika Ekadashi fast and Lord Vishnu’s grace, capable of granting liberation even from the gravest sins. The mention of the killing being "accidental" or "in anger" and the warning against "intentional sin" draws an important moral distinction. This is not just a historical account but a moral guide, teaching devotees that spiritual rituals are not mere actions but should be accompanied by inner purification, repentance, and ethical conduct—deeply tied to the principles of karma and atonement.

Ritual Method of Kamika Ekadashi

Preparations on the Previous Day (Dashami):

• Take a ritual bath in the morning with devotion and purity of heart.
• Eat a single, sattvic (pure and vegetarian) meal during midday with a focused and calm mind.
• Sleep on the floor at night (avoid using a bed or mattress).

Rituals on Ekadashi Day:

• Wake up during the Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn), perform daily ablutions, and take a sacred bath.
• Take the vow of fasting by reciting the following mantra with devotion:

Meaning: “O lotus-eyed Lord! Today, I renounce all pleasures and remain without food. Tomorrow, I shall eat. O Achyuta, grant me refuge.”

• Worship Lord Hari (Hari-Kesha) with full devotion:
• Offer incense, lamp (deep), flowers, fragrance, and naivedya (offering of food).
• Tulsi leaves must be offered as they are especially dear to Lord Vishnu.
• Perform night vigil near the deity — sing bhajans, kirtans, and chant the Lord’s names throughout the night.

Breaking the Fast on Dwadashi (Parana Procedure):

• At dawn, worship Lord Vishnu once again with devotion.
• Serve meals to Brahmins respectfully.
• Afterwards, take food yourself in silence along with your family members, sons, grandsons, and relatives.

Benefits and Importance of Kamika Ekadashi Fast

The Kamika Ekadashi fast is a 'comprehensive spiritual remedy' to receive the blessings of Lord Vishnu and positively impact almost every aspect of the devotee’s life. It is not observed for just one specific purpose but offers numerous benefits.

• Liberation from Sins and Attainment of Moksha:
  Kamika Ekadashi is believed to destroy all types of sins. Specifically, it grants liberation even from heinous sins like Brahma-hatya, provided the fast is observed with true devotion and repentance. This fast frees the devotee from the cycle of birth and death and leads toward Moksha (attaining Vaikuntha), thus providing ultimate freedom.
• Fulfilment of Desires, Peace, and Astrological Benefits:
  This is the 'desire-fulfilling' Ekadashi, which grants the desired results. Devotees experience inner peace, prosperity, and mental calmness. From an astrological perspective, it helps reduce the negative effects of Chandra Dosha (lunar afflictions), brings mental clarity, and enhances the energies of planets like Jupiter and Mercury. It also helps relieve ancestral debt (Pitru Dosha) and benefits forefathers.
• Special Significance of Tulsi:
  Offering Tulsi leaves for Lord Vishnu is considered extremely auspicious. Offering just one Tulsi leaf gives the merit equal to donating one weight of gold and four weights of silver. The mere sight of Tulsi destroys sins; its touch purifies the person and offering it at the feet of the Lord leads to liberation.
  The repeated emphasis on Tulsi and charity also indicates that these are not just auxiliary practices but essential components that significantly enhance the impact of the fast.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is Kamika Ekadashi celebrated in India?

Kamika Ekadashi is celebrated with great enthusiasm by followers of Hinduism across India. It is not limited to any specific state or region but is a pan-Indian and global Hindu festival. It is especially celebrated in cities like New Delhi, Jaipur, Deoghar, Ayodhya, and Ujjain.

Why is Kamika Ekadashi celebrated?

It is observed to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu, attain liberation from all sins (especially grave sins like Brahma-hatya), fulfil desires, and attain Moksha. It is a significant day for spiritual purification and inner peace.

What should one do during Kamika Ekadashi?

• Wake up early in the morning and bathe.
• Take a vow for Lord Vishnu.
• Worship Lord Vishnu.
• Light a ghee lamp.
• Chant mantras.
• Read or listen to the Kamika Ekadashi Fast story.
• Stay awake at night (jagaran).
• Perform charity and good deeds.

How to observe Kamika Ekadashi at home?

To perform the puja at home, wake up before sunrise and bathe. Set up an image or idol of Lord Vishnu. Offer yellow flowers, Tulsi leaves, incense, sweets, and fruits. Chant mantras like "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya". Recite Vishnu Sahasranama or a chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. Avoid negativity and keep your thoughts pure. Donate to someone in need.

How to perform the Kamika Ekadashi puja?

On Dashami, consume light, sattvic food and avoid tamasic items. On Ekadashi, wake up before sunrise and take a vow of fasting for Lord Vishnu. Clean the puja area and install Vishnu’s idol or image. Offer yellow flowers, Tulsi leaves, incense, sweets, fruits, and Panchamrit. Light a ghee lamp and perform Aarti. Chant mantras like "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and recite Vishnu Sahasranama. Read or listen to the Kamika Ekadashi Fast story. Remember the Lord throughout the day and night with bhajans and kirtans. On Dwadashi, break the fast at an auspicious time and feed or donate to Brahmins or the needy.

When will Kamika Ekadashi be observed in 2025?

Kamika Ekadashi fast will be observed on 21 July 2025. The Ekadashi Tithi begins on 20 July 2025 at 12:15 PM and ends on 21 July 2025 at 09:40 AM.

What not to do on Kamika Ekadashi?

• Do not consume tamasic food or intoxicants on Dashami.
• Avoid gossip, anger, lies, or tamasic activities on Ekadashi.
• Stay away from negative thoughts and distractions.
• Do not sleep during the night of Ekadashi; otherwise, the fast is considered incomplete.
• Do not observe the fast with the intent of committing sins knowingly.

What should be done on Kamika Ekadashi?

• Eat sattvic food on Dashami.
• Wake up before sunrise on Ekadashi and take a vow for Lord Vishnu.
• Offer yellow flowers, Tulsi leaves, incense, sweets, fruits, and Panchamrit to Lord Vishnu.
• Light a ghee lamp and perform Aarti.
• Chant mantras like "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and recite Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Read or listen to Kamika Ekadashi Fast story.
• Remember the Lord throughout the day and stay awake with bhajans and kirtans at night.
• On Dwadashi, break the fast at an auspicious time and feed or donate to Brahmins or the needy.
• For a simple home observance: meditate for 10 minutes, offer a Tulsi leaf, and read a chapter from the Bhagavad Gita.