Hindu festival
Nirjala Ekadashi
Also known as Bhima Ekadashi, Pandava Ekadashi.
In short
Nirjala Ekadashi is the most austere of Vishnu's twenty-four Ekadashis, on the eleventh tithi of the waxing moon in Jyeshtha. Kept entirely without food or water through the summer heat, it is believed to grant the merit of a whole year of Ekadashi fasts, and is also called Bhima Ekadashi.
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When is Nirjala Ekadashi?
- This year’s date
- Set by the panchang each year from the rule below. Godify shows a specific date only once it is confirmed against an authoritative panchang — never guessed.
- Tithi / rule
- Shukla Ekadashi (11th tithi of the waxing moon) of the month of Jyeshtha
- Calendar
- Lunar calendar (tithi-based)
- Deity
- Vishnu
The strictest of the twenty-four Ekadashis, kept without even water (nirjala); it is said to carry the merit of all the year's Ekadashis together.
The story of Nirjala Ekadashi
The name Bhima Ekadashi comes from the mighty Pandava who could not bear to fast often. Advised by the sage Vyasa, he kept this single Ekadashi completely without water, and was granted through it the merit of all twenty-four Ekadashis of the year.
Falling in the heat of Jyeshtha, the waterless fast is the hardest of all, and so the most purifying. Its spirit is one of generosity: devotees give water, earthen pots, fans, and food to the thirsty and the poor, turning their own austerity into others' relief.
How is Nirjala Ekadashi celebrated?
Devotees keep a complete fast without food or water from sunrise to the next day's parana, worship Vishnu through the day, and give water-pots, fans, umbrellas, and food in charity against the summer heat.
A mantra to mark the day
ॐ नमो नारायणाय
oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya
I bow to Narayana (Vishnu), the refuge and resting place of all beings.
More Hindu festivals
About Nirjala Ekadashi
When is Nirjala Ekadashi?
On the Shukla Ekadashi (11th tithi of the waxing moon) of Jyeshtha. The exact Gregorian date is set by the panchang each year.
Why is Nirjala Ekadashi kept without water?
Kept entirely without food or water, it is the strictest Ekadashi and is believed to grant the merit of all twenty-four Ekadashis of the year — hence its name, the waterless Ekadashi.
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