Nirjala Ekadashi Significance, Rituals, and Fasting

Among all the fasts observed in Sanatan tradition, the fast of Nirjala Ekadashi is going to fulfill all the wishes. Fasting and rituals performed on Ekadashi of Jyestha Shukla Paksha i.e. Nirjala Ekadashi is very fruitful. Worship and charity done on the day of Nirjala Ekadashi bestow renewable virtue. It is believed that Nirjala Ekadashi fast is the most difficult of all the Ekadashi fasts that bring blessings of Lord Vishnu. If you are not able to observe 24 Ekadashi fasts in a year, then you can earn all the merit just by observing this one fast.

Nirjala Ekadashi 2025 Muhurat

Nirjala Ekadashi on Friday, 06 June 2025

Ekadashi Tithi Starts - June 05, 2025 at 02:16 am
Ekadashi Tithi Ends - June 06, 2025 at 04:48 am

Nirjala Ekadash Story

According to mythology, the story of Nirjala Ekadashi is found in the context of Mahabharata, which is as follows. It so happened that Maharishi Ved Vyas got all the Pandavas to make a resolution of Ekadashi fast for attaining Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Now everyone including Mata Kunti and Draupadi observes fast on Ekadashi but Bhima who was very famous for running mace and eating food. It means to say that Bhima was very huge and powerful but he used to feel very hungry. His hunger was beyond tolerance so it was very difficult for him to fast for two days in a month. When the whole family started pressuring him to fast, he started looking for a way that he would not have to starve and also get the virtue of fasting. He also learned the solution to this calamity in his stomach from Maharishi Vedvyas.

Bhim started asking, O Pitamah, all the members of my family keep fast on Ekadashi and put pressure on me too, but I can do religious work, worship, do charity, but keeping fast is not a matter of my ability. There is a gastric fire called Vrik inside my stomach, to calm it, I need a lot of food, so I cannot live without food. Then Vyas ji said, Bhim if you believe in heaven and hell, then it is necessary for you also to observe this fast. Bhim's concern increased even more on this, he said to Vyas ji, O Maharishi, please tell me such a fast, which can be attained only once in a year. On this, Maharishi Ved Vyas said to Gadadhari Bhima that O Vats, this fast is very difficult, but by keeping it, you will get the result of fasting of all Ekadashis. He said that Lord Shri Krishna himself told me about the virtue of this fast.

You fast on the Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Jyestha month. In this, apart from shaman and bath, even water cannot be taken. Therefore, on the date of Ekadashi, worship Lord Keshav i.e. Shri Hari by keeping a waterless fast, and on the next day take a bath and give donations to Brahmins, get food served, and then eat yourself. In this way, you will get as much virtue as fasting for a whole year just by fasting for one day. On being told by Maharishi Vedvyas, Bhima kept this fast and attained salvation. Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Bhimsen Ekadashi because of fasting by Bhima and since Pandavas also observed fast on this day, hence it is also called Pandava Ekadashi.

Significance of Nirjala Ekadashi

Nirjala means this fast is observed without taking water and keeping fast. That's why this fast is as important as hard penance and meditation. According to the Hindu calendar, the Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha between Taurus and Mithun Sankranti is called Nirjala Ekadashi. Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Bhimsen Ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi. It is said that Bhimsen, one of the five Pandavas, observed this fast. That's why its name is also Bhimseni Ekadashi.

By fasting only on Nirjala Ekadashi, one gets the result of 25 Ekadashi fasts of the year including two Ekadashis of Adhikamas. Whereas in other Ekadashi fasting of the year, dietary restraint is important. On the other hand, on the day of Nirjala Ekadashi, along with diet, abstinence from water is also necessary. Water is not taken in this fast, which means the fast is observed by remaining waterless. This fast gives restraint to the mind and new energy to the body. This fast can be observed by both men and women, it is a scholar of the fast.

Rituals of Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat 2025

• The practices of this Ekadashi are quite different from other Ekadashi. On this day, a complete fast is observed in which devotees do not even consume water.

• This Ekadashi falls in the hot Indian summer. That's why it is considered very difficult to observe this fast.

• The duration of this fast is about 24 hours. It starts from the sunrise of Nirjala Ekadashi and lasts till the next day's sunrise.

• The preparation for Nirjala Ekadashi starts a day before Ekadashi i.e. on the day of Dashami. Devotees offer evening prayers and have a meal that too without rice. You may note that rice is prohibited in this meal.

• Like other Ekadashis, prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu to whom Ekadashi is sacred.

• Devotees are allowed a small drop of water as part of the Aachaman ritual. Consuming more water than this can break the fast.

• On the occasion of Nirjala Ekadashi, devotees also donate grains, clothes, umbrellas, pitchers filled with water, hand fans, God, etc.
  
  

• Nirjala Ekadashi is also mentioned in Markandeya Purana and Vishnu Purana. It is said that those who fast on this day get the blessings of Lord Vishnu.

Nirjala Ekadashi fasting

• After taking a bath in the morning take water in hand and take a vow of Nirjala Ekadashi fast and worship. After that install the idol or picture of Lord Vishnu at the place of worship.

• Now anoint Lord Vishnu with Panchamrit. Then offer them yellow flowers, Akshat, sandalwood, turmeric, betel leaf, betel nut, sugar, fruit, incense, lamp, smell, clothes, etc. During this chant Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Namah mantra.

• After this recite Vishnu Chalisa, Vishnu Sahasranama and Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha. Then end the worship with the aarti of Lord Vishnu. Pray to him to grant salvation.

• You do not have to eat anything or drink water throughout the day. If there is a health problem, then do not fast. Worship Vishnu the next day after taking a bath in the morning.
  
  

• Donate south to Brahmins. Then complete the fast by taking water and food during Paran. By doing this, you will get the virtue of all Ekadashi fasts, as Bhima got by doing this fast.

Conclusion

By observing Nirjala Ekadashi fast, you should donate food, water, clothes, seat, shoes, umbrella, feather and fruits etc. as per your capacity. Devotees who donate water urn on this day get the fruits of Ekadashis throughout the year. By fasting on this Ekadashi, the fault of eating food on other Ekadashis is removed and the benefit of the virtue of all Ekadashis is also received. One who devoutly observes this holy Ekadashi fast is freed from all sins and attains an imperishable position. Through Online Astrology Consultation, you can know in detail about Nirjala Ekadashi fast, its worship method, and its importance.