When is Kamada Ekadashi?
| Date | Note |
|---|---|
| Saturday, 17 April 2027 | — |
| Wednesday, 5 April 2028 | This year Ekadashi falls between two sunrises, so Smarta and Vaishnava calendars may differ |
Dates for New Delhi (tithi at sunrise). Smarta and Vaishnava calendars may differ by a day; check your local Panchang for the fast and parana times. All Ekadashi dates →
About Kamada Ekadashi
Kamada Ekadashi, the first Ekadashi of the Hindu year in the bright half of Chaitra, is said to fulfil righteous wishes (kama-da, 'giver of desires') and to remove even grave curses. It falls just after Ram Navami.
The day is kept with worship of Vishnu, a fast, and the dedication of the vrat's merit to anyone suffering — as Lalita did for her husband.
The story of Kamada Ekadashi
The story tells of the gandharva Lalit and his wife Lalita in the city of Ratnapura, ruled by the serpent king Pundarika. One day, singing in the king's court while his wife was away, Lalit's thoughts wandered to her and he lost the rhythm of his song. The angry king cursed him to become a man-eating rakshasa.
Grief-stricken, Lalita followed her husband through the forests until she reached the hermitage of the sage Shringi on the Vindhya mountains. He told her to keep the Kamada Ekadashi of Chaitra and offer its merit to her husband. She fasted with devotion, gave the merit to Lalit, and he was freed from the curse and restored to his gandharva form.
As told in the Ekadashi Mahatmya of the Padma and Bhavishyottara Purana tradition, where Krishna narrates each Ekadashi's glory to Yudhishthira. Versions differ in detail between editions.
How to keep the Kamada Ekadashi vrat
- Dashami, the day before. Eat a light sattvic meal before sunset and avoid grains that night.
- Morning. Bathe early, take a sankalp for the vrat, and worship Vishnu or Krishna with tulsi leaves, flowers, a diya and incense.
- Through the day. Keep the fast as your tradition and health allow — nirjala, phalahar (fruit and milk) or one light meal without grains. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya", hear the story of Kamada Ekadashi, and avoid anger and idle talk.
- Night. Many keep jagaran — staying awake with bhajans and kirtan.
- Dwadashi. Break the fast (parana) after sunrise within the Dwadashi tithi, after offering food to Vishnu and to someone in need.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with medical conditions should keep a lighter fast.
Mantra for Kamada Ekadashi
Dvadashakshari mantra of Vishnu
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya ||
Om, salutations to Bhagavan Vasudeva, who dwells in all beings. Chant it 108 times on a tulsi mala through the day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Kamada Ekadashi 2027?
Kamada Ekadashi falls on Saturday, 17 April 2027 (New Delhi, tithi at sunrise). Check your local Panchang for the fast and the parana (breaking) time.
Why is it called Kamada?
Kama-da means 'giver of wishes'; the Ekadashi is said to grant righteous desires and remove curses.
What is eaten on the Kamada Ekadashi fast?
Grains and beans — rice, wheat and dal — are avoided. Fruit, milk, nuts, potatoes, sabudana, singhara and kuttu flour and rock salt are commonly eaten. Some keep a nirjala fast; follow your family tradition and your health.
When is the Ekadashi fast broken?
On Dwadashi, the next day, after sunrise and within the Dwadashi tithi — not during Hari Vasara, the first quarter of Dwadashi. This is called parana; check the time in your local Panchang.