New Delhi:
The Hindu festival Kamada Ekadashi is being celebrated across India on Thursday and will be celebrated through Friday morning. Auspicious fast, observed, chiefly by devotees in South India, marks the first Ekadashi of the new Hindu calendar year.
Here is all you need to know about the festival, fasting methods and shubh muhurat
What is Kamada Ekadashi?
Kamada Ekadashi is the second Ekadashi that falls during the Shukla Paksha of the first month of the Hindu Calendar.
Ekadashi refers to the eleventh day of Shukla and Krishna Paksha of every Hindu month according to the Hindu Lunar Calendar. On these pious days the devotees worship Lord Vishnu, and they possess a strong faith that by praying and fasting on these two auspicious days, Lord would be pleased and all the sins of their lives will be pardoned, thereby providing them with a peaceful life full of happiness.
Shubh Muhurat of Kamada Ekadashi 2017
Ekadashi Tithi Begins = 09:15 on 6 April 2017
Ekadashi Tithi Ends = 08:54 on 7 April 2017
On 8th, Parana Time = 06:07 to 08:37
On Parana Day Dwadashi End Moment = 09:00
Puja Vidhi of Kamada Ekadashi 2017
On the eve of Kamada Ekadashi, devotees eat ‘Saatvik’ food, meaning food that is simple and completely vegetarian. People of Hindu religion chant, recite and sing songs throughout the night, praising the Lord. They believe that Lord would respond to their prayers and bring peace and harmony in their lives by removing all the sins.
Fasting on Kamada Ekadashi
The devotees keep fast for the entire day and are forbidden to take rice. They sing prayers and do ‘Japa’ and devote the entire day in the name of Lord Vishnu. The Hindu society especially the Vaishavas celebrates this festival. Two ekadashis occur in one month considering the position of the moon.
This is considered to be an auspicious time and if one wishes to commence some new event, then this is the perfect day. According to the Hindu calendar, it is a lucky time to start with. Though it is celebrated by Hindus across the country, it is mainly celebrated in South India in cities like Bangalore.
Special yajnas, speeches and discourses are held at every Vishnu temple across the nation. Observing the Ekadashi fast is set above all religious considerations.
Legend & Significance Ekadashi
According to various Puranas, fasting is considered mandatory during both types of Ekadashi. It is believed that on this day Lord Vishnu had opened the doors of ‘Vaikunthan’ and two demons entered through it. Those demons requested for a boon that the gate of Vaikunth should also be opened for all those who will chant his prayers on this pious day. It is said that those who will worship ekadashi would liberate themselves from the cycle of life and death. And their present lives will overtake all the good deeds over all their bad ones.
Read | Vaikunta Ekadashi: Paramapada Vasal timings, Muhurat and procedure
