Kamika Ekadashi Date 2027: Vrat Katha, Puja Vidhi, Parana, Tulsi Puja and Sawan Significance

Kamika Ekadashi is the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha (waning fortnight) of Shravan (Sawan), a day of fasting and worship dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It comes right after Devshayani Ekadashi, which makes it the first Ekadashi after Lord Vishnu enters his yoga-nidra and Chaturmas begins. In North India it is also the first Ekadashi of Sawan, so the day carries both Vishnu bhakti and the Shiva devotion of the Sawan month.

By tradition, the Kamika Ekadashi fast is believed to remove sins committed knowingly or unknowingly. Its katha tells of a short-tempered Kshatriya who killed a Brahmin in a quarrel and found atonement through this vrat. The day is especially linked with tulsi leaves (tulsi dal) and lamps of ghee or sesame oil (deep daan).

Below you will find the date, parana time, the full vrat katha and its variants, puja vidhi, mantras, tulsi puja, deep daan and the fasting rules.

When is Kamika Ekadashi in 2027? Date, Tithi and Parana Time

Quick answer: Kamika Ekadashi 2026 (9 August) has passed. The next Kamika Ekadashi (Smarta/householders) is on Thursday, 29 July 2027. As per the New Delhi panchang, the Ekadashi tithi runs from about 7:33 AM on 29 July 2027 to about 5:12 AM on 30 July. The Vaishnava (ISKCON etc.) fast falls on Friday, 30 July 2027. The Smarta parana is on 30 July.

Check the table above for the date and parana time in your city. In 2027 the Ekadashi tithi touches neither day’s sunrise, which is why the Smarta (householder) and Vaishnava fasts fall on different days, as given in the quick answer. Follow the day your family or guru tradition observes.

Meaning of Kamika Ekadashi and Other Names

What does “Kamika” mean?

“Kamika” comes from “kama”, meaning desire or wish, so devotees regard it as the Ekadashi that fulfils wishes. This is a popular interpretation of the name; the Purana does not define the word separately.

Other names of Kamika Ekadashi

• Shravana Krishna Ekadashi: its plain name in the North Indian Purnimanta calendar.
• First Ekadashi of Sawan: the everyday name in North India, since the Purnimanta Sawan begins with the Krishna Paksha.
• Ashadha Krishna Ekadashi: the name of the same tithi in the Amanta calendar of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and South India.

Do not confuse Kamika Ekadashi with Kamada Ekadashi of Chaitra Shukla. The names are similar, but the katha differs.

Month in the Purnimanta and Amanta calendars

In the Purnimanta calendar used in North India, a month ends on Purnima. Sawan begins after Ashadha Purnima (Guru Purnima), so Kamika Ekadashi falls in Shravana Krishna Paksha. In the Amanta calendar, a month ends on Amavasya, so the same Ekadashi belongs to Ashadha Krishna Paksha.

The date is the same in both; only the month name changes. It usually falls in July or August.

Significance of Kamika Ekadashi

Religious significance

By tradition, Lord Krishna described the glory of Kamika Ekadashi to Yudhishthira, saying that Lord Brahma had once narrated it to Narada. According to this mahatmya, merely hearing the katha gives the merit of a great yajna. Some texts compare it to the Vajapeya yajna and others to the Ashvamedha yajna.

The mahatmya says that worshipping Lord Vishnu, holder of the conch, discus and mace, on this day gives more merit than bathing in the Ganga or at Kashi, Naimisharanya and Pushkar. It is also compared to darshan at Kedarnath, bathing at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse, and donating a milk-giving cow with her calf.

What makes this Ekadashi special is the glory of tulsi and the lamp. The mahatmya says Lord Vishnu is not as pleased by gems and pearls as by a single tulsi leaf. A lamp of ghee or sesame oil lit before him on this day is said to bring merit so great that even Chitragupta cannot count it.

Spiritual message

The core message of the katha is that one moment of anger can change a whole life. The Kshatriya was not a bad man, but losing control of his temper led to a grave sin. Kamika Ekadashi is therefore a good day to resolve to control anger and guard one’s speech.

The second message is repentance. In the story, sincere remorse comes before the fast, and the vrat has meaning only when the heart changes.

Mention in the Puranas

ISKCON and several Vaishnava sources link the Kamika Ekadashi mahatmya to the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, where Krishna answers Yudhishthira by recounting the Brahma-Narada dialogue. Most Hindi katha texts name no Purana. In some traditions the story is told by Bhishma to Narada, and in others by Sage Vashishtha to King Dilip.

The Kshatriya and Brahmin story is popular in North Indian katha texts but does not appear in the ISKCON mahatmya, so this page presents the two separately.

Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Yudhishthira’s question

After hearing the glory of Devshayani Ekadashi, Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna, “O Keshava, please tell me about the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha of Shravan. What is its name, how is it observed, which deity is worshipped and what is its fruit?”

Krishna replied, “O King, Lord Brahma once described the glory of this Ekadashi to Narada. Listen as I tell you the same.”

Brahma tells Narada its glory

Narada asked Brahma, “O grandsire, what is the name of the Ekadashi of the dark fortnight of Shravan, and what is its glory?” Brahma said, “O Narada, it is called Kamika. Simply hearing its story gives the merit of a yajna.”

Brahma said the four-armed Lord Vishnu should be worshipped on this day with incense, lamp and naivedya. Even those weighed down by sin should keep the fast as they are able, and one who keeps vigil all night is free from fear of Yamaraja. He then praised tulsi and the lamp, as described in the sections below.

The angry Kshatriya and the Brahmin

According to the popular katha, long ago a brave Kshatriya lived in a village. Some versions call him the village thakur or a landlord. He was wealthy and kind, but very short-tempered.

One day a dispute with a Brahmin (over land, in some versions) turned into a scuffle, and in his rage the Kshatriya struck a blow that killed the Brahmin.

Remorse and rejection

When his anger cooled, the Kshatriya was filled with remorse. He wished at least to perform the Brahmin’s last rites himself, but the village pandits stopped him.

They said, “You carry the sin of brahma-hatya. Until you atone and are freed from it, we will not let you take part in these rites, nor will we eat at your house.” The community turned away from him, and he did not know where to turn.

The remedy

Humbly, he asked how he could be freed from this sin. In most versions he went to a wise sage; in some, the village pandits themselves gave the answer.

He was told, “The sin of killing a Brahmin is not removed by ordinary penance. Keep the fast of Kamika Ekadashi in the dark fortnight of Shravan. Worship Lord Shridhar (Vishnu) with devotion, offer him tulsi leaves and keep vigil all night. The next day, feed Brahmins, give dakshina and receive their blessings.”

The fast and his release

The Kshatriya kept the fast with full devotion. He chanted the Lord’s name all day, worshipped with tulsi leaves and sat in vigil near the deity at night. That night Lord Shridhar appeared to him; most versions say it was in a dream.

The Lord said, “Through your sincere repentance and the power of this fast, you are freed from the sin of brahma-hatya.” In the morning he fed the Brahmins and gave dakshina. From then on he gave up his angry ways and lived a righteous life.

By tradition, whoever keeps this fast and reads or hears the story with faith is freed from sins and attains Vishnu’s abode.

Variants of the katha

• Who asked: Yudhishthira in most texts; in some Hindi texts Arjuna asks, and Krishna recounts a Bhishma-Narada dialogue.
• Original narrator: Brahma to Narada (ISKCON text); Bhishma to Narada or Vashishtha to King Dilip in others.
• The main character: a brave Kshatriya, a thakur or landlord, or simply “an angry man”. No text names him.
• Who gave the remedy: a sage in most versions, the village pandits in some.
• The Lord’s appearance: in a dream in most versions; directly during the vigil in some.
• Merit of hearing: equal to a Vajapeya yajna in some texts, an Ashvamedha in others.

These differences do not change the heart of the story: a sin born of anger, sincere repentance and release through the fast.

Kamika Ekadashi Puja Vidhi (Step by Step)

Preparation on Dashami (the day before)

1. Eat sattvic food on Dashami. Avoid onion, garlic, meat, alcohol and tamasic food.
2. Avoid eating after sunset, or eat very lightly.
3. Pluck tulsi leaves on Dashami itself, as the popular belief is that tulsi leaves are not plucked on Ekadashi.

Ekadashi morning and sankalp

1. Wake in Brahma muhurta and bathe. If possible, add a little Gangajal to your bath water.
2. Wear clean clothes, yellow if possible. Holding water, akshat and a flower, take the sankalp: “Today I will keep the Kamika Ekadashi fast, as per my ability, for the pleasure of Lord Vishnu.”

Worship of Lord Vishnu (as Shridhar)

1. Spread a yellow cloth on a wooden chowki and place an idol, picture or Shaligram of Lord Vishnu.
2. Light a ghee lamp. The katha texts prescribe worship of the Lord’s Shridhar form on this day.
3. Bathe the Lord with panchamrit and clean water, apply sandalwood tilak and offer yellow flowers, akshat and fruit.
4. Offer the tulsi leaves plucked on Dashami at the Lord’s feet, and place tulsi in the bhog too.
5. Offer incense, lamp and naivedya (fruit, sweets, panchamrit). Some texts also mention offering sesame (til).
6. Chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”, 108 times if possible. You may also recite the Vishnu Sahasranama.
7. Read or listen to the Kamika Ekadashi vrat katha.
8. Finish with the Om Jai Jagdish Hare aarti and the Ekadashi Mata ki aarti.

Evening puja and deep daan

1. In the evening, light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil before the Lord again.
2. Light a ghee lamp near the tulsi plant and sing the Tulsi Mata ki aarti.
3. If possible, offer a lamp at a nearby Vishnu or Krishna temple.
4. Because it is Sawan, some devotees also remember Lord Shiva in the evening. This is optional.

Night vigil (jagran)

1. The Kshatriya in the katha kept vigil all night, so jagran is given special importance on this Ekadashi.
2. Stay awake as long as you can with bhajan, kirtan, naam jap or Gita path. If you cannot stay up all night, sing bhajans until late.

Dwadashi and parana

1. On Dwadashi morning, bathe and worship Lord Vishnu.
2. Feed a Brahmin, a sadhu or someone in need, and give dakshina or daan.
3. Within the parana time shown in the table, offer bhog with a tulsi leaf and break the fast.

Puja Samagri List

• Idol, picture or Shaligram of Lord Vishnu
• Wooden chowki and a yellow cloth
• Tulsi leaves (plucked on Dashami) and tulsi manjari, if available
• Gangajal and a kalash of clean water
• Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)
• Ghee and sesame oil, lamps and cotton wicks
• Sandalwood, roli and akshat (unbroken rice)
• Yellow flowers and a garland
• Sesame seeds (black or white)
• Seasonal fruits, bananas and dry fruits
• Dakshina and items for daan (grain, clothes etc.)
• The katha book or this page, and an aarti book

Kamika Ekadashi Mantras

No mantra specific to Kamika Ekadashi is found in the old texts; the well-known Vishnu mantras are chanted. If a mantra feels difficult, simply chant the Lord’s name with faith.

1. Dwadashakshara mantra

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय॥ (Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya)

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Vasudeva, who dwells within all beings. It is the mantra most chanted on Ekadashi, including while offering tulsi.

2. Vishnu Gayatri mantra

ॐ नारायणाय विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि। तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात्॥ (Om Narayanaya Vidmahe Vasudevaya Dhimahi, Tanno Vishnuh Prachodayat)

Meaning: We contemplate Narayana and meditate on Vasudeva; may Lord Vishnu inspire and guide our intellect. The man in the katha lost his judgment in anger, so this prayer for right understanding suits the day well.

3. Vishnu Dhyana mantra

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं, विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्। लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं, वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम्॥

Meaning: I bow to Lord Vishnu, peaceful in form, resting on the serpent, lotus at his navel, support of the universe, dark as a rain cloud, beloved of Lakshmi, reached by yogis in meditation, remover of worldly fear and sole lord of all the worlds.

4. Shri Krishna naam stuti

श्रीकृष्ण गोविन्द हरे मुरारे, हे नाथ नारायण वासुदेव। (Shri Krishna Govinda Hare Murare, He Natha Narayana Vasudeva)

Meaning: O Shri Krishna, O Govinda, O Hari, O Murari, O Lord, O Narayana, O Vasudeva. It is sung like a bhajan during jagran.

5. Shiva Panchakshara mantra (optional, for Sawan)

ॐ नमः शिवाय॥ (Om Namah Shivaya)

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva. Since Kamika Ekadashi falls in Sawan, some devotees also remember Shiva with this mantra after the Vishnu puja. The main fast and puja of the day remain those of Lord Vishnu.

Importance of Tulsi Puja on Kamika Ekadashi

Kamika Ekadashi is linked with tulsi more than almost any other Ekadashi. The mahatmya says that one who worships Vishnu with tulsi leaves on this day stays untouched by sin, like a lotus leaf that sits in water without getting wet. By tradition, a single tulsi leaf is dearer to the Lord than gifts of gold and silver.

The mahatmya also says that offering fresh tulsi manjari removes sins, that seeing and bowing to tulsi on this day removes sins and disease, and that one who plants tulsi resides in the Lord’s abode. These are matters of faith; please see a doctor for any illness.

When to pluck tulsi leaves

The popular belief is that tulsi leaves should not be plucked on Ekadashi. So pluck the leaves you need for puja and bhog a day earlier, on Dashami, and keep them in a clean vessel. Always pluck by hand, not with scissors or a knife, and bow to Tulsi Mata before plucking.

Should you water tulsi on Ekadashi?

Two views exist. Many households believe Tulsi Mata herself keeps a nirjala fast on Ekadashi, so they do not pour water on her that day. On the other hand, the ISKCON text of the Kamika Ekadashi mahatmya says that watering tulsi on this day frees one from fear of Yamaraja.

The simple way is to follow your family or guru tradition. Where the custom is not to water tulsi on Ekadashi, light a lamp near her in the evening, bow and do parikrama. For the full Tulsi Vivah ritual, read our Tulsi Vivah puja vidhi.

Deep Daan on Kamika Ekadashi

The mahatmya of Kamika Ekadashi describes the lamp beautifully. A ghee lamp lit before Lord Vishnu or tulsi on this day is said to bring merit so vast that Chitragupta, Yamaraja’s record-keeper, cannot calculate it.

• A ghee lamp before the Lord is believed to let one’s ancestors enjoy amrit in the heavens.
• One who lights a ghee or sesame-oil lamp is said to be freed from sin and reach the realm of Surya.
• The text says that even those who cannot fast can gain the merit of the day through tulsi worship and deep daan.

How to do deep daan

1. Around sunset, fill a clay or brass lamp with ghee or sesame oil.
2. Light one before Lord Vishnu, one near tulsi and, if possible, one at a temple.
3. Chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” as you light it and remember your ancestors.

Sawan, Chaturmas and Kamika Ekadashi

From Devshayani Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu enters four months of yoga-nidra and Chaturmas begins. Kamika Ekadashi is the first Ekadashi after this; some people count Devshayani too and call Kamika the second Ekadashi of Chaturmas. Ekadashi worship continues in the usual way during Chaturmas.

Tradition assigns twelve names of Vishnu to the twelve months; Shravan’s is “Shridhar”, holder of Shri (Lakshmi), which is why the katha prescribes worship of Lord Shridhar.

Worshipping Vishnu and Shiva together

In North India, Kamika Ekadashi falls in the first fortnight of Sawan, amid Shiva bhakti, Sawan Somvar fasts and the Kanwar Yatra. By tradition, while Lord Vishnu rests in yoga-nidra during Chaturmas, Lord Shiva is regarded as overseeing creation. So many devotees see this Ekadashi as a day for the grace of both Vishnu and Shiva.

Some families do the Vishnu puja first and then offer water on a Shivling, a folk custom rather than a required ritual. In Amanta regions the Ekadashi falls in Ashadha, and Sawan begins there later.

Kamika Ekadashi Fasting Rules: What to Eat and What to Avoid

What you can eat

• Seasonal fruits such as banana, apple, papaya, pomegranate and pear
• Milk, curd, buttermilk, paneer and makhana
• Kuttu, singhara and rajgira flour (for families who take these in phalahar)
• Sabudana, potato, sweet potato and arbi
• Sendha namak (rock salt), black pepper and cumin
• Coconut water, lemon water and plain water (unless the fast is nirjala)

What to avoid

• Rice: the best-known Ekadashi rule. Rice may be eaten on the parana day.
• Wheat, barley, all dals, chana, besan and every kind of grain
• Onion, garlic, meat, fish, eggs and alcohol
• Ordinary salt (use sendha namak)
• Some families also avoid cooking brinjal on this day.

Nirjala fast

In a nirjala fast, neither food nor water is taken from Ekadashi sunrise until the Dwadashi parana. It is the hardest form. Kamika Ekadashi falls in the humid heat of Sawan, so keep it only if you are fully healthy and have kept such a fast before.

People with diabetes, blood pressure, kidney or heart conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding women, the elderly and anyone on regular medication should consult a doctor before a nirjala fast. If you feel dizzy or weak, take water or fruit. The Lord sees your devotion; hurting the body is not the aim of a vrat.

Phalahar fast

In a phalahar fast you take fruit, milk and the foods listed above, but no grain. Most householders keep this fast. Eat small amounts and drink enough water.

One meal (ekabhukta)

Those who cannot keep a full fast take one sattvic phalahari meal in the day. Children, the sick and the elderly can keep this lighter fast, or simply skip rice and do the puja and katha.

Kamika Ekadashi Parana: When and How to Break the Fast

Parana means breaking the fast. It is done the next day, during Dwadashi tithi, after sunrise and before Dwadashi ends.

The first quarter of Dwadashi is called Hari Vasara; parana is not done during it, so wait until it ends. Morning is the best time for parana, and midday is best avoided unless there is no other option.

In a year when the Ekadashi tithi ends before the Dwadashi sunrise, as in 2027, Hari Vasara may last well into that morning. Check the parana time for your city in the table above. Those who follow the Vaishnava date break their fast the day after, which the table also shows.

How to do parana

1. Bathe on Dwadashi morning and worship Lord Vishnu.
2. Offer bhog to the Lord with a tulsi leaf.
3. Give food, grain or dakshina to a Brahmin, a sadhu or someone in need.
4. Break the fast with the Lord’s prasad, a tulsi leaf or a little water.
5. Then eat a light sattvic meal. Rice may be eaten on this day.

Dos and Don’ts on Kamika Ekadashi

Dos

• Worship Lord Vishnu in his Shridhar form with tulsi leaves.
• Light ghee or sesame-oil lamps before the Lord and near tulsi in the evening.
• Chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” and recite the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Watch your anger. If a dispute arises, speak calmly or step away.
• If you have wronged someone, find the courage to apologise today.
• Donate grain, clothes, food or umbrellas; in the Sawan rains an umbrella or tarpaulin is a useful gift.

Don’ts

• Do not eat rice or other grains.
• Stay away from onion, garlic, meat, alcohol and tobacco.
• Do not pluck tulsi leaves on Ekadashi; pluck them on Dashami.
• Avoid anger, quarrels, lies, gossip and harsh words. This Ekadashi’s katha is about the cost of anger.
• Do not put your body through more hardship than it can bear.
• Do not break the fast during Hari Vasara.

Kamika Ekadashi Myths and Reality (Myth vs Reality)

Myth: Keep the Kamika Ekadashi fast and any sin you commit will be forgiven.

Reality: The tradition does not say this. The Kshatriya first repented sincerely, then fasted, and then changed his nature. The mahatmya itself warns that planning a sin while counting on this relief is a grave offence. The fast is a beginning of change, not a licence for wrongdoing, and apologising to and making amends with anyone we have hurt remains our duty.

Myth: You must not even touch tulsi on Ekadashi.

Reality: The popular rule is only that tulsi leaves are not plucked on Ekadashi. The Kamika Ekadashi mahatmya actually praises seeing, touching and bowing to tulsi on this day. Bow to her, light a lamp and do parikrama; for watering, follow your family’s custom.

Myth: Without a nirjala fast, Kamika Ekadashi gives no fruit.

Reality: The scriptures speak of fasting according to one’s ability. The mahatmya even says those who cannot fast can gain the day’s merit through tulsi worship and deep daan. A phalahar or one-meal fast kept with faith is fully valid.

Myth: If you eat something by mistake, the fast is broken and something bad will happen.

Reality: There is no need for fear. Ask the Lord for forgiveness, keep the rules for the rest of the day and continue your puja. A vrat is about devotion, not fear.

Myth: Fasting “detoxes” the body, so everyone should keep a strict fast.

Reality: The Ekadashi fast is a spiritual practice, not a treatment or detox method. With diabetes, pregnancy, old age, weakness or regular medication, consult a doctor before a strict or nirjala fast. Such devotees can worship through phalahar or simply puja and jap.

Benefits of Kamika Ekadashi (Religious Belief)

The benefits below are based on tradition and faith. See them as the fruit of devotion, not a guarantee.

• Freedom from sins: the fast is believed to remove sins committed knowingly or unknowingly, as the Kshatriya was freed from brahma-hatya in the katha.
• Merit of yajna and pilgrimage: according to the mahatmya, hearing the katha gives the merit of a yajna, and the fast more than bathing at great tirthas.
• Fulfilment of wishes: true to the name “Kamika”, devotees see it as an Ekadashi that fulfils rightful wishes.
• Blessings for ancestors: deep daan is believed to bring joy to one’s ancestors.
• Grace of Vishnu and Shiva: falling in Sawan, it is seen as a day for the blessings of both.

Related Ekadashis and Readings

Just before Kamika comes Devshayani Ekadashi of Ashadha Shukla Paksha, which begins Chaturmas and after whose glory Yudhishthira asked about Kamika. After Kamika comes Shravana Putrada Ekadashi of Sawan Shukla Paksha. See the dates of every Ekadashi of the year on our Ekadashi dates page.

For the day’s puja, also read the Om Jai Jagdish Hare aarti, the Ekadashi Mata ki aarti and the Tulsi Mata ki aarti. For daily tithi and muhurat, see the daily panchang, and download all aartis together in our Aarti Sangrah PDF.

Kamika Ekadashi reminds us that one moment of anger can take away a great deal, but sincere repentance and surrender to the Lord open the way to a fresh start. On this day, offer one tulsi leaf with love, light one lamp and let go of some bitterness from your heart. May Lord Shridhar bless you and your whole family. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

Frequently asked questions