Question 1

When is Katadanotsava observed?

Accepted Answer

Katadanotsava falls on Ekadashi, the eleventh lunar day, of Shukla Paksha, the bright fortnight, in Bhadrapada. The tithi current at sunrise governs the observance, so its Gregorian date changes each year. It should not be assigned one permanent date in the civil calendar.

Question 2

What is donated on Katadanotsava?

Accepted Answer

The central observance is the daanam, or religious gift, of a mat to a worthy and dharmic vipra. Clean the mat, place it before the household shrine, make a brief intention for the gift, and offer it respectfully. A priest can advise on any family-specific additions.

Question 3

Is fasting required on Katadanotsava?

Accepted Answer

No separate fasting rule is securely established here for Katadanotsava. A household that already observes Ekadashi fasting may follow its recognised family or sampradaya practice, while others may keep the day through prayer and charitable giving. The mat donation, rather than a particular meal restriction, is the distinctive practice recorded for this observance.

Question 4

Which deity is worshipped on Katadanotsava?

Accepted Answer

A specific deity is not securely identified in the concise traditional description available for this observance. The emphasis is on daanam—giving a useful mat as an act of dharma, or religious duty. Household worship may be offered to the family deity, but that should not be presented as a universal Katadanotsava requirement.

Date	Tithi	Lunar month	Governing time
Sat, 14 Sept, 2024	ShuklaShukla Ekadashi	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Wed, 3 Sept, 2025	ShuklaShukla Ekadashi	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Tue, 22 Sept, 2026	ShuklaShukla Ekadashi	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 11 Sept, 2027	ShuklaShukla Ekadashi	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Wed, 30 Aug, 2028	ShuklaShukla Ekadashi	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Tue, 18 Sept, 2029	ShuklaShukla Ekadashi	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sun, 8 Sept, 2030	ShuklaShukla Ekadashi	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 27 Sept, 2031	ShuklaShukla Ekadashi	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Thu, 16 Sept, 2032	ShuklaShukla Dvadashi	Bhadrapada	sunrise (udaya tithi)

Katadanotsava

Dates by year