Kamika Ekadashi

Story of Kamika Ekadashi (Vrat Katha)

A proud warrior once killed a Brahmin in a quarrel. The priests refused to attend his rites and he was shunned by society. Deeply remorseful, he asked a wise sage how he could be forgiven. The sage told him to keep Kamika Ekadashi in the month of Shravana and worship Lord Vishnu with tulsi leaves. After the fast a divine voice told him that his sin was washed away. The story shows that sincere regret together with a pure vrat can change a person's course.

This is the traditional story from the Puranas, retold in our own words. Details can differ a little between regions and tellers.

Significance of Kamika Ekadashi

Offering tulsi leaves to Vishnu, or lighting a ghee lamp before the tulsi plant in the evening, is the highlight of this Ekadashi. Never pluck tulsi on Ekadashi; collect the leaves a day earlier.

The tradition says that keeping Kamika Ekadashi gives cleansing of serious sins and the merit of Tulsi worship. It falls in Shravana Krishna Paksha (Purnimanta) · Ashadha Krishna Paksha (Amanta) and is kept with the worship of Lord Vishnu with tulsi leaves.

How to keep Kamika Ekadashi: vrat and puja vidhi

• Dashami evening: eat a light sattvik meal and avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food.
• Ekadashi morning: bathe before sunrise and take the sankalp to worship Lord Vishnu with tulsi leaves.
• Puja: offer yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, fruit, panchamrit and a ghee lamp. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and read the katha on this page.
• During the day: no grains; phalahar or a waterless fast as your tradition says. Avoid anger and gossip.
• Night: stay awake with bhajans, kirtan or the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Dwadashi: after bath and puja, give charity to someone in need and break the fast at parana time.

For the full rules, food list and parana details, read our complete Ekadashi vrat guide.