Nirjala Ekadashi

कथा

Nirjala Ekadashi is the most austere of all Ekadashis — it is observed without water (nirjala = waterless) throughout the entire day and night. The legend involves Bhima (of the Pandavas) who could not observe any Ekadashi fast due to his enormous appetite. Sage Vyasa told him that observing just this one Nirjala Ekadashi with complete abstinence from water earns the merit of all 24 Ekadashis. It falls in the hottest month of summer, making the waterless fast an extreme test of devotion.

विधि

• Observe complete fast — not even water until the next morning
• Recite Vishnu Sahasranama and Bhagavad Gita throughout the day
• Distribute water, fans, umbrellas, and cooling items to others — considered supreme dana on this day
• Keep the mouth moist by rinsing (achamana) without swallowing
• At midnight, light lamps and offer puja to Vishnu
• Break the fast (parana) on Dwadashi morning after sunrise

मुख्य मंत्र

• ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
• ॐ विष्णवे नमः

भोग और पर्व भोजन

Water distributed as charity · Cooling drinks given to the poor (buttermilk, sherbat) · Fruits for parana

क्षेत्रीय रूप

• · Haridwar and Varanasi: major gatherings with daan of water and cooling items
• · Particularly observed in North India where June is extremely hot
• · Women observe this fast more commonly than men in most regions

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