When is Kamika Ekadashi?
| Date | Note |
|---|---|
| Thursday, 29 July 2027 | This year Ekadashi falls between two sunrises, so Smarta and Vaishnava calendars may differ |
| Tuesday, 18 July 2028 | — |
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 Kamika Ekadashi
Kamika Ekadashi, in the dark half of Shravan, the first Ekadashi of Chaturmas, is especially linked with the worship of Vishnu with tulsi leaves.
Devotees offer tulsi leaves and a ghee lamp to Vishnu and to the tulsi plant.
The story of Kamika Ekadashi
A proud Kshatriya, in a sudden quarrel, struck and killed a Brahmin. Overcome with remorse and shunned by all, he sought a way to expiate the sin.
A sage told him to keep Kamika Ekadashi, worship Vishnu with tulsi and give in charity. He did so and was freed from his sin. The Purana says that worshipping Vishnu with even one tulsi leaf on this day equals the merit of worshipping him with gold and jewels.
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 Kamika 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 Kamika 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 Kamika 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 Kamika Ekadashi 2027?
Kamika Ekadashi falls on Thursday, 29 July 2027 (New Delhi). This year Ekadashi falls between two sunrises, so Smarta and Vaishnava calendars may differ. Check your local Panchang for the fast and the parana (breaking) time.
Why is tulsi offered on Kamika Ekadashi?
The Purana says that worshipping Vishnu with tulsi on this day gives the merit of offering gold and jewels.
What is eaten on the Kamika 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.