Sanatan HinduSANATANHINDU
FestivalsNirjala Ekadashi

Nirjala Ekadashi — Complete Guide to Significance, Rituals, Traditions, and Celebration

Nirjala Ekadashi vrat, rituals, and traditions. Learn the significance, best time, required samagri, and step-by-step vidhi.

By Sanatan Hindu2 min readUpdated 22 September 2026Audio available
Share:
Getting married? Create your invitationBeautiful digital wedding invites & family RSVP tracking — free to build

Affiliate disclosure: Sanatan Hindu participates in the Amazon Associates Programme and the CueLinks affiliate network (Myntra & Flipkart). This page contains affiliate links, if you click and buy, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure.

Nirjala Ekadashi

Next Nirjala Ekadashi

Monday, 14 June 2027· in 239 days

Set a reminder so you never miss Nirjala Ekadashi.

Add to Google CalendarDownload reminder (.ics)

Introduction

Nirjala Ekadashi is a significant fasting day in the Hindu calendar, observed on the eleventh day of the bright half of the month of Jyeshtha. It is also known as Bhima Ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi. This day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered highly auspicious for spiritual growth and self-realization. The fasting and rituals associated with Nirjala Ekadashi are believed to bring peace, prosperity, and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. In this article, we will delve into the significance, rituals, traditions, and how to celebrate Nirjala Ekadashi. Nirjala Ekadashi is a unique fasting day where devotees observe a strict fast without water, hence the name Nirjala, meaning 'without water'. This fast is considered one of the most challenging yet rewarding fasts in the Hindu calendar. The story behind Nirjala Ekadashi is associated with the Pandavas, specifically Bhima, who was unable to fast due to his hunger and thirst. Lord Krishna guided Bhima to observe the Nirjala Ekadashi fast, which would grant him the benefits of all the Ekadashi fasts in a year.

Significance

Nirjala Ekadashi is significant because it is believed to have the power to grant liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The fast is also considered to bring peace, prosperity, and spiritual growth. It is a day to detoxify the body, mind, and soul, and to reconnect with the divine. The significance of Nirjala Ekadashi is also associated with the removal of past life karmas and the attainment of moksha. The fast is considered to be a means to purify the mind, body, and soul, and to attain spiritual enlightenment.

When to Celebrate

Nirjala Ekadashi is observed on the eleventh day of the bright half of the month of Jyeshtha, which usually falls in May or June. The best time to perform the rituals and fast is during the sunrise to sunset period.

Find your exact auspicious time Check the shubh muhurat and choghadiya for your city and date.

Shubh Muhurat FinderToday's Choghadiya

What You'll Need

✦Water
✦Milk
✦Ghee
✦Honey
✦Fruits
✦Flowers
✦Incense sticks
✦Cotton wicks
✦Earthen lamp
✦Conch shell
✦Bell
✦Picture or idol of Lord Vishnu

How to Prepare

  1. 1Wake up early in the morning
  2. 2Take a bath
  3. 3Wear clean clothes
  4. 4Prepare the puja area
  5. 5Gather all the required samagri

How to Celebrate

  1. 1Begin the puja by lighting the earthen lamp and incense sticks
  2. 2Offer flowers, fruits, and other samagri to Lord Vishnu
  3. 3Chant the mantras and perform the aarti
  4. 4Listen to the story of Nirjala Ekadashi
  5. 5Observe the fast without water
  6. 6Perform the parana, or breaking of the fast, the next day

Mantras

Nirjala Ekadashi Mantra

वासुदेवाय नमः

Vaasudevaaya Namaha

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Vasudeva, the divine being who dwells in all beings

Nirjala Ekadashi Aarti

जय जय वासुदेव देवा, जय जय गिरिधारी

Jaya Jaya Vaasudeva Deva, Jaya Jaya Giridhaari

Meaning: Victory to Lord Vasudeva, the divine being who holds the mountain, victory to the remover of all sins

Observance Rules

  • •Observe a strict fast without water
  • •Do not consume any food or drinks
  • •Do not sleep during the day
  • •Engage in spiritual activities
  • •Listen to the story of Nirjala Ekadashi

Do's

  • ✓Wake up early in the morning
  • ✓Take a bath
  • ✓Wear clean clothes
  • ✓Perform the puja with devotion
  • ✓Observe the fast with sincerity

Don'ts

  • ✗Do not consume any food or drinks
  • ✗Do not sleep during the day
  • ✗Do not engage in worldly activities
  • ✗Do not argue or fight with anyone

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • •Breaking the fast before the prescribed time
  • •Consuming water or other drinks during the fast
  • •Sleeping during the day
  • •Not performing the puja with devotion

Regional Variations

  • •In some regions, the fast is observed without water, while in others, water is allowed
  • •In some communities, the puja is performed in the evening, while in others, it is performed in the morning

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Nirjala Ekadashi?▾
Nirjala Ekadashi is significant because it is believed to have the power to grant liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The fast is also considered to bring peace, prosperity, and spiritual growth.
How to observe the Nirjala Ekadashi fast?▾
To observe the Nirjala Ekadashi fast, wake up early in the morning, take a bath, wear clean clothes, and perform the puja with devotion. Observe a strict fast without water and do not consume any food or drinks.

Popular Tools

Explore all features
Free KundliGenerate your Janam KundliGun MilanKundli matching for marriageAaj Ka RashifalDaily horoscope for all rashisShubh MuhuratFind auspicious timingsHindu CalendarPanchang, tithi & festivalsGreeting MakerCreate festival wishes imagesRitual GuidesPoojas, vrats & festival guidesSacred TemplesDarshan, timings & history

References & Traditional Notes

  • •The story of Nirjala Ekadashi is mentioned in the Bhavishya Purana
  • •The fast is considered to be a means to purify the mind, body, and soul, and to attain spiritual enlightenment

Related Audio & Bhajans

Nirjala Ekadashi Significance, Rituals, Traditions, festival

otherYouTube
Open on YouTube →
Lyrics

Affiliate disclosure: Sanatan Hindu participates in the Amazon Associates Programme and the CueLinks affiliate network (Myntra & Flipkart). This page contains affiliate links, if you click and buy, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure.

Shop Samagri on Amazon.in

WaterMilkGheeHoneyFruitsFlowersIncense sticksCotton wicks

Clicking opens Amazon.in. Prices and availability may vary.

Browse all pooja items

Amazon Associates tag: geekydevelope-21

Shop Pooja & Festive Essentials on Flipkart

Diyas & LightsHome MandirBrass IdolsPooja ThaliRangoli ColoursToran & DecorGift HampersReligious Books

Clicking opens Flipkart via our affiliate link. Prices and availability may vary.

Shop on Flipkart

CueLinks Publisher: 300371

Shop Festive Wear on Myntra

SareesLehenga CholiKurta Sets (Women)Kurta-Pajama (Men)SherwaniMangalsutraTemple JewelleryKids Festive Wear

Clicking opens Myntra via our affiliate link. Prices and availability may vary.

Full festive guide →Shop on Myntra

CueLinks Publisher: 300371

AI website builder

Need a website? Describe it, and AI builds it.

Perfect for a temple, pooja service, astrology practice or small shop. Tell the AI what you want — or drag and drop the classic way — and go live on your own web address in minutes with Sitova. Hosting, SEO, forms and analytics are all included.

  • Build with AI or drag & drop
  • Your domain + SEO built in
  • Free forever plan
Build your website

Opens sitova.site

Share:
Nirjala EkadashifestivalNirjala EkadashiEkadashiVrat

Get the daily panchang & festival updates

Join our free newsletter, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.