Hindu Festival Kamika Ekadashi 2016 – 30th July (Saturday)

Kamika Ekadashi 2016 = 30th July (Saturday)

The Hindu festival Kamika Ekadashi is like other Ekadashis and considered as an auspicious day to worship of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that worshipping Lord Vishnu on this day washes away all the sins and gives Moksha. It also helps the people to get Punya, which is equal to organizing an ‘Ashvmedha Yagya’ or donating a cow. Kamika Ekadashi is observed during Krishna Paksha of Shravana Month by whole Hindu community across the country.

Kamika Ekadashi Rituals

On this auspicious occasion, people take a bath early in the morning after that they pray to Lord Vishnu. On the same day, The Panchamrit Abhishekam is done to Lord Vishnu and after touching Lord Vishnu feet, it became the Charanamrit. He is also worshipped with colorful and fragrant flowers. The most auspicious deed is worshipping Lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves. Except these things, Fruits, Milk and sesame seeds are also offered to Lord Vishnu. People observe the fast on this day and donate Deepdan, clothes and money to Brahmins. They celebrate Ekadashi nights by Jagaran and spend their time by singing Bhajans and reading scriptures. Next day on Dwadashi, people break their fast.

Visiting various holy places and taking bath in Tirthas are also witnesses of this day. It is a vital day in the temples of Lord Vishnu. Abhishek, Pujas, Aartis and Bhajans are sung throughout the day. In these temples, lamps are lighted using cow Ghee and different Bhogs are offered to Lord Vishnu. Kamika Ekadashi has great significance in human life. A person, who worship Lord Vishnu on this day immensely blessed and his desires are fulfilled. This worship relieves someone from Pithru Dosha. It also frees oneself from all worldly desires and help in attaining Moksha or salvation.

To worship Lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves removes all diseases and sins acquired by a person. It is supposed that the person, who fasts and does Jagaran on this day, would never experience the anger of Yamaraj (God of Death).

Kamika Ekadashi Legends

There is an interesting story behind the glory of Kamika Ekadashi. There lived a landlord in a small village. Once he had a fight with the Brahmin of that village and accidentally killed him. Then he depreciated and wanted to be a part of his last ceremony. But the villagers did not accept his request. After some time, the landlord approached a saint to get rid of the sin. The saint advised him to keep a fast and worship Lord Vishnu on Kamika Ekadashi. One night when he slept beside the Lord's idol, the Lord appeared in his dream and released him of his sins.

The creator of the Universe, Lord Brahma told the importance of Kamika Ekadashi to his son Narada. He told his son that this sacred day eradicates the sin of killing a Brahmin. He also told him that the one who performs Ekadashi Vrat, straight away goes to Vaikhunta. The same thing is narrated by Lord Krishna to Yudhister when he wanted to know the weightage of Ekadashi fast that falls during Krishna Paksha of Shravana Maas.

Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Puja Vidhi