Damodara Dwadashi 2025

 

• Date: Tuesday, 5 August 2025
• Tithi: Shukla Paksha Dwadashi of the Shravana month
• Preceded by: Putrada Ekadashi (observed on 4 August 2025)
• Parana (breaking the fast): Performed on Dwadashi after Vishnu puja

Significance

• Damodara is one of the many names of Lord Vishnu/Krishna, meaning “the One whose belly was bound with a rope” (from dama = rope, udara = belly), referring to the divine leela where Yashoda tied Krishna to a mortar.
• Observing Damodara Dwadashi Vrat is believed to:
• Grant liberation (moksha) and divine blessings
• Cleanse sins and fulfill spiritual desires
• Bring prosperity and happiness to the devotee’s household

Legends

• As per the Bhagavata Purana, young Krishna was tied by his mother Yashoda for his mischief. This act of binding the infinite Lord with love symbolizes the power of devotion over divinity.
• The festival celebrates this Damodara Leela, emphasizing bhakti (devotion) and surrender.

Rituals

Puja Vidhi

• Wake up early, bathe, and wear clean clothes
• Set up an altar with an image or idol of Lord Damodara (Krishna/Vishnu)
• Offer:
• Tulsi leaves, fruits, flowers, incense, and ghee lamps
• Panchamrit abhishekam (milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar)
• Recite:
• Vishnu Sahasranama
• Damodarashtakam
• Bhagavatam verses related to Krishna’s childhood
• Charity: Donate rice, fruits, clothes, and dakshina to Brahmins

Fasting

• Many devotees observe a partial or full fast, especially those who observed Putrada Ekadashi the previous day
• Fast is broken after offering Naivedyam to Lord Vishnu and consuming prasadam