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Kamika Ekadashi July 2024 - Importance - Story - How to Do Kamika Ekadasi Vrat Puja?

Kamika Ekadasi is observed during the waning phase of moon in the month July or early August. In 2024, the date of Kamika Ekadasi is July 31. The importance of this Ekadashi was narrated by Lord Krishna to Yudhisthira and is found in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. Originally, it was narrated by Lord Brahma to Narada Maharshi. It is believed that observing this Ekadashi is equal to bathing in sacred rivers on auspicious days.

Kamika Ekadashi Mantra

Om Sreedharaya Namah
 श्रीधराय नमः॥

Importance of Kamika Ekadashi

It is believed that listening to the importance and story of Kamika Ekadashi is equal to performing the Vajapeya Yajna.

Observing this Ekadasi is also equal to reading all the scriptures dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Sridhar form of Lord Vishnu with four hands holding lotus, mace, discus and conch is worshipped on the day.

The story of Kamika Ekadasi was narrated by Sri Krishna to Yudhishtira. The greatness of this Ekadasi fasting was first narrated by Brahma to Sage Narada.

Offering Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu on this day is considered highly auspicious. Another important offering made is lighting ghee or sesame oil filled lamps at Sri Krishna Temples.

It is believed that all the sins and remorse will be washed away if a devotee strictly observes the Kamika Ekadashi fast. It is mentioned in scriptures that those devotees fasting on this day wins the favor of Yamraj, the lord of death. For fasting the usual method is followed.


Kamika Ekadashi Story

Once there lived a strong and powerful warrior. During one of his adventurous the warrior happened to kill a pious devotee of Srihari Vishnu. The warrior wanted to perform austerities to get rid of the sin of killing a pious man.

He enquired with the learned saints about an austerity that will help in cleansing the sins of killing a virtuous devotee of Vishnu.

The saints asked him to perform the Ekadasi fasting falling during the waning phase of moon in Shravan month as per traditional panchang followed in North India.

The warrior performed the Ekadasi fasting by offering prayers to the Sridhar form of Lord Vishnu. After the fasting and prayers, he gave food to poor people and helped them financially to  overcome their difficulties.

Pleased with the devotion of the warrior, Vishnu appeared before him in Sridhar form and gave him liberation from the sin of accidentally killing a pious man.

How To Do Kamika Ekadashi Puja?

  • Wake up early in the morning and take bath.
  • Offer prayers to Ganesha in the mind.
  • The puja should be performed in the northeast corner of the house.
  • Take a brass kalash (small vessel) and fill it with water. Put arecanut (supari) and moong in it. Cover the mouth of the vessel with leaves of Ashoka tree. Close the mouth with a coconut.
  • Keep this kalash atop a yellow cloth on the northeast corner of the house.
  • Keep a picture of the Sridhar form of Vishnu.
  • Light lamp using cow ghee.
  • Guggal doop or natural agarbatti.
  • Offer red and yellow color flowers.
  • Offer red color chandan and later wear it on forehead.
  • Offer yellow color banana.
  • Offer sweet containing kesar or saffron. After puja the Prasad or bhog should be shared with children. 
  • Offer Tulsi leaves.
  • Now chant the mantra Om Sreedharaya Namah ( श्रीधराय नमः॥)
  • After puja all natural materials should be put under earth by digging.
  • The coconut should be used to make a sweet.
  • For change of financial fortune offer 7 peepal leaves during puja and later keep it at the spot where you keep money and other documents. 
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