Nirjala Ekadashi is considered the most sacred Ekadashi Vrats in the Hindu religion. It is also known as Pandava Ekadashi, Bhima Ekadashi, or Bhimaseni Ekadashi.
Nirjala Ekadashi is observed on the 11th lunar day (Ekadashi) during the waxing fortnight of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha. So, it falls in May or June. The post shares with you Bhima NirjalaEkadashi Significance and Date.
Nirjala means waterless or without water. So, Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat (fasting) is kept without water or any food.
Pandava Ekadashi Vrat follows strict fasting rules and is considered the toughest among all Ekadashi Vrats. Devotees abstain from food and do not drink even a single drop of water while observing this Ekadashi Vrat.
It is said that Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat brings all the benefits of twenty-four Ekadashi fasting during a year.
This Hindu holy day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat starts from Ekadashi sunrise and ends on the next day (Dwadashi) sunrise.
The Hindus believe observing the Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat equals going on a pilgrimage. It is also believed that those who observe the Nirjala-Ekadashi Vrat are received by messengers from Vaikunta Loka (Abode of Lord Vishnu) after death and not by Yama, the god of death.
The Nirjala/Bhimseni Ekadashi Vrat is the most rewarding of all Ekadashi Vrats (fasting). It not only drives away all sins but also bestows happiness, prosperity, and well-being to the devotees who keep the Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat.
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Significance of Nirjala Ekadashi
(Why we Celebrate Nirjala Ekadashi?)
Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Pandava Ekadashi, Bhima Ekadashi, or Bhimaseni Ekadashi as the strongest Pandava brother, Bhima, is associated with this Ekadashi Vrat.
According to the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Bhima decided to keep all Ekadashi fasts. However, being a food lover, he could not control his hunger and failed to keep the Ekadashi Vrat.
His entire family, including Yudhishthira, Arjun, Nakula, Sahadeva, Draupadi, and mother Kunti, used to observe the Ekadashi fast without fail.
So, Bhima felt bad that he could not keep the Ekadashi fast in honor of Lord Vishnu. So, he approached Sage Vyasa for a solution.
Sage Vyasa advised Bhima that he should observe the Bhimseni Ekadashi Vrat that comes once a year. The sage told Bhima that the Vrata is so powerful that it will offer all 24 Ekadashi’s virtue. Hence, Bhima kept the Ekadashi Vrat and attained the virtue of all 24 Ekadashi.
How to observe NirjalaEkadashi Vrat?
While on other Ekadashi, devotees abstain from eating food, however on this Ekadashi, an absolute fast is observed without having even a single drop of water.
So, the Nirjala Ekadashi is waterless fast and is very difficult to follow as it falls in the hot Indian summer.
Usually, the fast is observed for a full 24 hours from sunrise on Nirjala Ekadashi to sunrise on the next day of Dwadashi. However, some devotees observe this fast from sunrise to sunset.
Devotees offer an evening prayer (known as Sandhya Vandana) on the day before Ekadashi. They take only one meal without rice, as rice eating is prohibited on the day of Ekadashi. They also do the Achamana purification ritual in which they have a single tiny drop of water.
On the day of Nirjala Ekadashi, devotees offer prayers to Lord Vishnu to seek his blessings.
They bathe Lord Vishnu’s image or a Shaligram stone (a form of Lord Vishnu) with Panchamrita – a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar. It is then washed with water and dressed with royal finery.
Devotees also offer flowers, incense, lamps, and even a hand fan. They sing devotional songs and meditate on the image of Lord Vishnu. In the evening, they offer durva grass and worship Lord Vishnu. They remain awake the whole night and sing praises of Lord Vishnu.
Devotees also do charity on the occasion of Pandava Ekadashi. They donate food grains, clothes, umbrellas, shoes, hand fans, and pitchers filled with water to the poor.
Fasting Rules
- Nirjala Ekadashi is water-less fast. So, you should not have even a single drop of water or any food on this Ekadashi occasion.
- Do not sleep at night. You can perform “Jagratas” at night.
- You should visit a Vishnu/Krishna temple and offer your prayers.
- One should chant the mantra “Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevaya” throughout the day on NirjalaEkadashi.
- You can also chant the Vishnu Sahasranama or Vishnu Stotram on Ekadashi day. It has a purifying effect on your body, mind, and soul.
- You should donate clothes, food grains, umbrellas, shoes, and pitchers filled with water to the poor/brahmin.
The Benefits of Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat
According to the Vishnu Purana and the Markandeya Purana, the Nirjala Ekadashi is a holy day to remember Lord Vishnu. This fasting is said to wash away all sins. You gain the favor of Lord Vishnu, who grants happiness, prosperity, and forgiveness of sins.
It is even said that one who completes Bhima Ekadashi’s fast receives the merit gained by observing all 24 Ekadashi in a year. The fast helps you to gain longevity and even moksha.
It is also believed that Yama, the god of death, does not judge the one who completes the Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat. Instead, they are taken by messengers of Lord Vishnu to Vaikunta Loka, the abode of Lord Vishnu, after death.
Nirjala Ekadashi Date 2024
Pandava Ekadashi is a Hindu holy day in which a water-less fast is kept to get Lord Vishnu’s blessings. It washes all sins and grants happiness, prosperity, and well-being.
Nirjala Ekadashi will be observed on 18th June 2024, Tuesday.
Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 04:43 AM on 17th June 2024
Ekadashi Tithi Ends: 06:24 AM on 18th June 2024
Parana Time: 05:24 AM to 07:28 AM on 19th June
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