कामदा एकादशी
Kamada Ekadashi
Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi, the first Ekadashi of the Hindu new year, believed to fulfil sincere wishes and free the devotee from curses.
About Kamada Ekadashi
Kamada Ekadashi falls on the Ekadashi of Chaitra Shukla Paksha. It is the first Ekadashi of the Hindu new year, believed to fulfil sincere wishes and free the devotee from curses.
Like every Ekadashi it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The fast runs from sunrise on Ekadashi to the Parana, the breaking of the fast, after sunrise the next morning on Dwadashi.
How to celebrate
Eat a light sattvic meal before sunset on Dashami, the day before.
On Ekadashi morning, bathe and take a sankalp, a resolve, to keep the fast.
Worship Lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves, yellow flowers, a diya and fruit.
Read or listen to the Kamada Ekadashi vrat katha and chant Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.
Stay awake for part of the night in bhajan or prayer if you can.
Break the fast the next day within the Parana time for your city.
Do
- Fruit, milk, nuts, sabudana, kuttu and singhara flour
- Rock salt instead of regular salt
Avoid
- Rice and all grains, beans and lentils
- Onion, garlic, meat and alcohol
The story
The gandharva Lalit was cursed to become a demon for singing carelessly in Indra's court. His wife Lalita kept the Kamada Ekadashi fast and offered its merit to him, and he regained his form.
Questions
When is Kamada Ekadashi in 2026?
Kamada Ekadashi 2026 is on Sunday, 29 March 2026. Shukla Ekadashi tithi begins at 8:46 AM on Saturday 28 March and ends at 7:46 AM on Sunday 29 March IST.
When should I break the Kamada Ekadashi fast?
In New Delhi, Parana is from 6:13 AM on Monday 30 March to 7:09 AM IST. Break the fast after sunrise and before Dwadashi ends. Pick your city in the timings card to see local times.
What can I eat during the Kamada Ekadashi fast?
Fruit, milk and curd, nuts, sabudana, potatoes, and kuttu or singhara flour cooked with rock salt. Grains, rice, beans and lentils are avoided.
Why is rice avoided on Ekadashi?
Grains are believed to hold the sin that sought refuge on Ekadashi. Rice in particular is avoided by everyone, even those who do not keep the full fast.
Coming up
- Karva ChauthThu 29 Oct
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
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