Date and tithi timings
- Ekadashi Tithi Starts: July 20, 2025, at 12:12 PM
- Ekadashi Tithi Ends: July 21, 2025, at 9:38 AM
- Parana (fast breaking) Time: July 22, 2025, from 6:06 AM to 7:05 AM
- Dwadashi ends: July 22, 2025, at 7:05 AM
As per the Hindu tradition, since the tithi overlaps sunrise on July 21, that’s the day the fast (vrat) will be observed.
Why Kamika Ekadashi is so special
Kamika Ekadashi is much more than a routine religious observance. Its significance is underscored in ancient scriptures like the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, where Lord Krishna tells Yudhishthira that merely hearing about the virtues of this Ekadashi can cleanse one of sins and lead them closer to moksha (liberation).
Observing a fast on this day is said to carry the same spiritual merit as performing 1,000 Ashwamedha Yajnas—an elaborate Vedic ritual once reserved for kings. Devotees believe that fasting on Kamika Ekadashi not only absolves sins but also invites divine grace and blessings.
The day begins early, ideally during Brahma Muhurta, when devotees bathe and prepare a clean altar for worship. Many visit temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, while others worship at home.
Kamika Ekadashi 2025: Key practices include
- Chanting the Vishnu Sahasranama (the thousand names of Vishnu)
- Reading the Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Katha (fasting story)
- Offering flowers, lighting lamps, and incense sticks
- Performing Aarti in the evening with devotional songs and hymns
Types of fasting on Kamika Ekadashi
There are various ways to observe the fast, depending on one’s capacity and spiritual discipline:
- Nirjala Vrat: The strictest form, where devotees abstain from both food and water.
- Phalahar Vrat: A milder version, where only fruits, milk, and water are consumed.
