Kamada Ekadashi 2026

Kamada Ekadashi: The First Ekadashi of the Telugu Year

Kamada Ekadashi falls on the Ekadashi of Chaitra Shukla Paksha. It is the first Ekadashi of the new Telugu year that begins with Ugadi, coming two days after Sri Rama Navami. "Kamada" means the one who fulfils wishes; fasting and worshipping Lord Vishnu on this day is believed to fulfil righteous wishes and wash away sins.

The Story of Lalita and Lalit

The glory of this Ekadashi is told as a story narrated by Sage Vasishtha to King Dilipa. Long ago, the Naga king Pundarika ruled the city of Ratnapura. In his court sang a gandharva named Lalit, whose wife was Lalita. One day, thinking of his wife while singing, Lalit went off-key. The angry king cursed him to become a rakshasa. Heartbroken, Lalita wandered through the forests and reached the ashram of Sage Shringi. On his advice she observed the Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi vratham with devotion and offered its merit to her husband. By that merit Lalit was freed from the curse and regained his gandharva form.

Vratham Rules

• Eat a light meal on the night of Dashami and make the fasting sankalpam on Ekadashi morning.
• By tradition, rice and grain-based foods are avoided on Ekadashi. Some take only fruits, milk and water, and some keep a nirjala fast without water.
• Worship Lord Vishnu or Sri Krishna with tulasi leaves and chant Vishnu Sahasranamam.
• Spend as much of the night as you can in bhajans and nama smarana (jagarana).
• On Dwadashi, break the fast (parana) after sunrise, while Dwadashi tithi is still running.

Significance

The story of Kamada Ekadashi celebrates the love between husband and wife and the sacrifices they make for each other. People observe it for release from mistakes made knowingly or unknowingly, and for the well-being of the family. Vaishnava temples, including Tirumala, hold special worship on Ekadashi days in Chaitra. Those with health issues, pregnant women and the elderly can keep the vratham with fruits and milk instead of a full fast.

By the merit of Kamada Ekadashi, may Sri Hari fulfil all your righteous wishes.