Kamada Ekadashi Vrat will be observed on 19th April 2024, Friday.
Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 05:31 PM on 18th April 2024
Ekadashi Tithi Ends: at 08:04 PM on 19th April 2024
Parana Time: 05:50 AM to 08:26 AM on 20th April
Note: Parana means breaking the Ekadashi fast. It is done after sunrise on the next day of Ekadashi Tithi.
“The Amavasya (new moon day) of the Chaitra month marks the end of the Hindu year, and the subsequent day heralds the commencement of the new year according to the Hindu calendar, along with the celebration of Chaitra Navratras. Following the conclusion of Navratras, the Ekadashi (the eleventh lunar day) that ensues is known as Kamada Ekadashi or Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi. It is believed that observing Chaitra Sudi Ekadashi, which falls during the bright fortnight of the Chaitra month, can fulfill all desires.”
Katha of Kamada Ekadashi:
Once, Yudhishthira Maharaja said, “Oh Keshav, please accept my humble obeisances, and describe the Ekadashi that occurs during the bright half of the month of Chaitra, and what are its glories?”
Lord Shri Krishna replied, “Oh Yudhishthira, listen to Me attentively as I relate the ancient history of this sacred Ekadashi, once Vasishtha Muni related to King Dilipa, the great-grandfather of Lord Ramachandra.”
King Dilipa asked the great sage Vasishtha, “I wish to hear about the Ekadashi that occurs during the bright half of the month of Chaitra. Please describe it to me.”
Vasishtha Muni replied, “Oh king, gladly I shall tell you the Ekadashi that occurs during the bright fortnight of Chaitra is named Kamada Ekadashi. It is highly purifying and bestows the highest merit upon one who faithfully observes and absolves all sins even by hearing the story.
Long ago, in a city named Ratnapura, King Pundarika was its ruler. It had mostly Gandharva, Kinnaras, and Apsaras among its citizens.
Among the Gandharva’s were Lalit and his wife Lalita, who were a lovely couple. Lalita loved her husband dearly, and he constantly thought of her in his heart.
Once, in the court of King Pundarika, many Gandharvas were singing, and Lalit was among them. While singing, Lalit could not help but think about his beloved, and because of this distraction, he lost track of the song’s melody.
A serpent named Karkotaka from the Patala Loka came to know the mystery of the situation and complained to the King that Lalit was dreaming about his wife, which was the cause of his folly.
This infuriated King Pundarika so much that he cursed Lalit to become a monstrous cannibal, a Rakshasa.
So, Lalit became a monstrous husband who wandered with his wife Lalita in the forests around the Vindhyachal Hills.
This greatly distressed Lalita.
When they were wandering around Vindhyachal Hills, Lalita reached Sage Shringi Ashram. Lalita paid her respect to the sage and told the dreadful plight of her husband. She requested the sage to provide a solution to her problem.
Sage Shringi told Lalita that she should observe the Kamada Ekadashi Vrat to atone for the sins of her husband.
So, Lalita kept this Ekadashi Vrat with full devotion. She visited the sage and prayed to Lord Vishnu to free her husband from the king’s curse.
Lalita offered the rewards gained by performing the fast (Kamada Ekadashi Vrat) for her husband’s well-being. Ultimately, Lalit gained his original Gandharva form.
Later, they were both taken to heaven on a celestial flying chariot.
So, this is the Kamada Ekadashi story.