Kamika Ekadashi Vrat - date, Significance, Story

The month of Sawan is filled with festivals. While Sawan is primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is also highly beneficial to worship Lord Mahavishnu during this time. Ekadashi is a day dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu, making the Ekadashi that falls in Sawan particularly significant. The Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in Sawan is known as Kamika Ekadashi, which will be observed on July 31, 2024. Observing the Kamika Ekadashi vrat grants the fulfillment of desired fruits.

Story of Kamika Ekadashi Vrat

According to the tale associated with Kamika Ekadashi, there was a wrathful man living in a village. One day, he got into a quarrel with a Brahmin and, in anger, killed him. Suffering from the sin of Brahmahatya (killing a Brahmin), he regretted his actions and began to contemplate the last rites and offerings for the Brahmin. However, other Brahmins rejected him. In despair, he approached a sage to seek a remedy. The sage advised him to observe the Kamika Ekadashi vrat. Following the sage’s guidance, he performed the vrat, after which God appeared to him in a dream and freed him from the sin of Brahmahatya. This vrat is said to liberate one from all sins, and both Shiva and Vishnu are pleased and grant freedom from transgressions.

Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Procedure

On the day of Ekadashi, wake up early, bathe, and take a vow for the vrat.
Worship Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, offering fruits, flowers, and Naivedya (food offerings).
After that, chant any mantra of Lord Vishnu 108 times.
Throughout the day, while fasting, praise Lord Vishnu.
If possible, recite the Vishnu Sahasranama (thousand names of Vishnu).
If you cannot remain completely without food, you may eat in the evening, but the vrat should be broken on the following day.
Give donations at a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Plant a tree and nurture it.

Kamika Ekadashi Dates

Date: July 31, 2024 (Thursday)
Ekadashi Tithi Begins: July 30, 2024, at 04:44 PM
Ekadashi Tithi Ends: July 31, 2024, at 03:55 PM