Nirjala Ekadashi

Story of Nirjala Ekadashi (Vrat Katha)

All the Pandavas and Draupadi kept Ekadashi, but Bhima, who had a huge appetite, could not stay hungry for even half a day. Worried, he went to Sage Vyasa. Vyasa told him that if he could keep just one Ekadashi, the Jyeshtha Shukla one, without even a sip of water from sunrise to the next sunrise, he would get the merit of all 24 in the year. Bhima agreed and kept the hardest fast of his life. That is why this day is also called Bhimseni or Pandava Ekadashi.

This is the traditional story from the Puranas, retold in our own words. Details can differ a little between regions and tellers.

Significance of Nirjala Ekadashi

This is the toughest Ekadashi because no water is taken. It falls in peak summer, so people also give water pots, fans, sherbet and umbrellas in charity. Children, the elderly, the sick and pregnant women should not do the waterless fast.

The tradition says that keeping Nirjala Ekadashi gives the merit of all 24 Ekadashis of the year. It falls in Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha and is kept with the worship of Lord Vishnu.

How to keep Nirjala Ekadashi: vrat and puja vidhi

• Dashami evening: eat a light sattvik meal and avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food.
• Ekadashi morning: bathe before sunrise and take the sankalp to worship Lord Vishnu.
• Puja: offer yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, fruit, panchamrit and a ghee lamp. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and read the katha on this page.
• During the day: no grains; phalahar or a waterless fast as your tradition says. Avoid anger and gossip.
• Night: stay awake with bhajans, kirtan or the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Dwadashi: after bath and puja, give charity to someone in need and break the fast at parana time.

For the full rules, food list and parana details, read our complete Ekadashi vrat guide.