Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha: निर्जला एकादशी व्रत कथा, नियम और लाभ

Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha

The word “Nirjala” means “without water.” Nirjala Ekadashi is a highly austere fast where devotees abstain from food and even water for 24 hours. It is believed to bring the combined benefits of observing all 24 Ekadashis in the year.

People search for nirjala ekadashi vrat kab hai or nirjala ekadashi kab ki hai — it always falls during the summer, making it even more challenging and spiritually rewarding.

Nirjala Ekadashi is considered the most sacred and rigorous of all Ekadashi fasts. Falling on the 11th lunar day of the waxing (Shukla) phase of the moon in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha (May–June), it is a day of waterless fasting and deep spiritual reflection.

Nirjala Ekadashi 2025 Date and Time

Nirjala Ekadashi 2025 will be observed on Friday, 6th June 2025.

• Ekadashi Tithi Begins: June 6, 2025 – 2:15 AM

• Ekadashi Tithi Ends: June 7, 2025 – 4:47 AM

• Parana (Breaking Fast): June 7, 2025 between 1:44 PM and 4:31 PM

निर्जला एकादशी कब है — mark your calendars for 6th June 2025.

Meaning of Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat

The Nirjala fast means complete abstinence from food and water for 24 hours. It signifies surrendering the senses and ego, cleansing the mind, and elevating the soul.

Significance of Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी का महत्व)

Fasting on this day is said to:

• Wash away all sins

• Grant longevity, good health, and spiritual merit

• Help attain Moksha (liberation)

Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha (निर्जला एकादशी व्रत कथा)

The legend of Nirjala Ekadashi is closely associated with Bhima, the second Pandava brother.

Bhima loved to eat and found it extremely difficult to observe fasting on Ekadashi days, unlike his brothers and mother Kunti, who followed the rituals strictly. One day, Bhima approached Sage Vyasa and confessed his inability to fast but expressed his desire to receive the spiritual benefits of Ekadashi like his family.

Sage Vyasa advised him that if he couldn’t observe all the 24 Ekadashis in a year, he could still gain the equivalent merit by observing just one Ekadashi — the most austere one — called Nirjala Ekadashi, where not even water is consumed.

Bhima accepted the challenge. On the day of Nirjala Ekadashi, he observed a strict fast without food or water. Though he faced immense thirst, fatigue, and weakness due to the summer heat, he completed the fast with full devotion.

Impressed by his dedication, Lord Vishnu blessed Bhima and declared that those who observe Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat with sincerity will receive the same punya (merit) as performing all 24 Ekadashis.

Hence, Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Bhimseni Ekadashi.

निर्जला एकादशी व्रत कथा

निर्जला एकादशी की कथा महाभारत के पांडवों में से दूसरे भाई भीमसेन से जुड़ी हुई है।

भीम को भोजन करना अत्यंत प्रिय था, इसलिए वे अन्य एकादशियों पर व्रत नहीं रख पाते थे। उनकी माता कुंती और अन्य चारों भाई श्रद्धा से व्रत करते थे, पर भीम इसे निभा नहीं पाते थे। एक दिन उन्होंने वेदव्यास जी से कहा, “मैं व्रत नहीं रख सकता, लेकिन मैं चाहता हूं कि मुझे भी व्रत का फल मिले।”

वेदव्यास जी ने कहा, “यदि तुम सभी 24 एकादशियों का व्रत नहीं रख सकते, तो वर्ष में केवल एक व्रत रखो — निर्जला एकादशी का। इसमें अन्न और जल दोनों का त्याग करना होता है। यह सबसे कठिन व्रत है, पर इसके फलस्वरूप वर्ष भर की सभी एकादशियों का पुण्य प्राप्त होता है।”

भीम ने यह व्रत रखने का संकल्प लिया। भीषण गर्मी में बिना जल के उन्होंने यह व्रत रखा। उन्हें अत्यधिक प्यास और कमजोरी का अनुभव हुआ, परंतु उन्होंने व्रत को पूरा किया।

उनकी आस्था और दृढ़ निश्चय से प्रसन्न होकर भगवान विष्णु ने उन्हें आशीर्वाद दिया और कहा कि जो भी श्रद्धा से निर्जला एकादशी का व्रत करेगा, उसे सभी एकादशियों का फल प्राप्त होगा।

इसलिए इस व्रत को भीमसेनी एकादशी भी कहा जाता है।

Nirjala Ekadashi Fasting Rules (निर्जला एकादशी व्रत के नियम)

Many devotees are curious about nirjala ekadashi fasting and its rules. Here’s what to follow:

• Start fast from sunrise on Ekadashi.

• No food or water for 24 hours.

• Do not consume even fruits, milk, or juice.

• Break your fast (Parana) the next day after sunrise and before Dwadashi ends.

• Only those who are physically and mentally strong should attempt this fast.

Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Samagri

Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Items for Pooja:

• Clean cloth or asana (for sitting)

• Clean white or yellow cloth (for altar)

• Picture or idol of Lord Vishnu or Shaligram

• Kalash (copper or brass pot) filled with clean water

• Mango leaves (to place on the Kalash)

• Coconut (to place on Kalash)

• Diya (lamp) – preferably ghee diya

• Cotton wicks

• Ghee or oil

• Incense sticks (agarbatti)

• Camphor (kapoor)

• Bell (ghanti)

Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Bhog Items:

• Tulsi leaves (very important for Lord Vishnu puja)

• Fresh flowers (especially lotus or yellow marigold)

• Chandan (sandalwood paste)

• Kumkum, Haldi, Roli

• Akshat (uncooked rice mixed with turmeric)

• Fruits (banana, apple, seasonal fruits)

• Dry fruits (almonds, cashews, dates, etc.)

• Panchamrit (mix of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar)

Nirjala Ekadashi Puja Vidhi (निर्जला एकादशी पूजा विधि)

• Wake up early and bathe (especially in a holy river if possible).

• Offer water and Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu.

• Light a ghee lamp and incense sticks.

• Recite Nirjala Ekadashi Mantras and Vishnu Sahasranama.

• Observe a strict nirjala ekadashi vrat without food or water.

• In the evening, worship again and stay awake chanting Vishnu’s name.

Nirjala Ekadashi Mantra

Chant the following for peace and blessings:

“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”
( संस्कृत : ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय , शाब्दिक अर्थ  “मैं भगवान वासुदेव को प्रणाम करता हूं।” )

“Vishnave Namah”
(संस्कृत : ॐ विष्णवे नमः , शाब्दिक अर्थ  “भगवान विष्णु को मेरा नमन”)

Daan (Donation) on Nirjala Ekadashi

Nirjala Ekadashi Daan is a vital part of the ritual. Offer donations like:

• Water pitchers (matkas)

• Umbrellas

• Clothes

• Food and grains

• Donations to Brahmins and the poor

Benefits of Nirjala Ekadashi

• Clears past sins

• Brings spiritual awakening

• Promotes discipline and willpower

• Strengthens devotion to Lord Vishnu

• Equal to performing all Ekadashis in a year