Kamada Ekadashi

Kamada Ekadashi falls on the 11th day of the bright fortnight in Chaitra month (March-April). It is the first Ekadashi of the Hindu new year. The name means 'the fulfiler of desires,' and devotees believe it grants all righteous wishes. The story involves the Pandavas and sage Narada.

The Skanda Purana recounts the tale of a Gandharva king named Latang who was cursed by sage Shringi and turned into a crocodile. Distraught, the crocodile prayed for deliverance until Lord Vishnu, moved by its devotion, appeared and freed it from the curse. The crocodile was restored to its celestial Gandharva form and blessed with the return of its kingdom. This tale shows that sincere devotion on Kamada Ekadashi can fulfill even the most impossible desires.

In Odisha, Kamada Ekadashi is observed as a day of fresh beginnings. Devotees wake before sunrise, take a ritual bath, and offer tulsi leaves, flowers, and fruits to Lord Vishnu. The fast is kept without grains, and the devotee prays for the fulfilment of righteous desires -- whether for family prosperity, health, or spiritual growth. The fast is broken on Dwadashi after offering food to Brahmins and the needy.