Nirjala Ekadashi 2024: Nirjala Ekadashi falls on 18 June 2024 and is considered the most crucial out of the twenty-four Ekadashis observed annually. The fasting for Nirjala Ekadashi entails abstaining from both water and food.
Nirjala Ekadashi 2024 Date
The Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha of the Jyeshtha month commences on 17th June at 4:43 a.m. and concludes on 18th June at 6:24 a.m. Nirjala Ekadashi, known as the most significant and challenging fast of the year, falls on Tuesday, 18th June. Observing a fast on Ekadashi, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is a ritualistic way of worshipping Him. Each Ekadashi, as per Vedic scriptures, is a profoundly auspicious day that honors the supreme power and eternal greatness of Lord Vishnu, the force that sustains the universe.
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Nirjala Ekadashi 2024 Timings
As per the Panchang, the Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha during the month of Jyeshtha will commence on June 17 at 4:43 AM and conclude on June 18 at 6:24 AM. The Nirjala Ekadashi fast is scheduled for June 18, which falls on a Tuesday.
Nirjala Ekadashi Puja Vidhi
Wake Up Early: Wake up early, ideally during Brahma Muhurat (two hours before sunrise), and bathe. Those following the vrat typically bathe in holy rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Krishna, Cauvery, and more. If using a river is not feasible, you can incorporate a few drops of Ganga Jal into a bucket of water for your home bath.
Dress Cleanly: After bathing, wear clean clothes.
Prepare the Altar: Light a lamp using sesame or mustard oil, or ghee, and place it on your home altar.
Invoke Lord Vishnu: To receive the blessings of Lord Vishnu, recite ‘OM Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’ and present water, flowers, natural perfume, oil lamp, incense, and fruit or cooked food as offerings. Vegetarian desserts like Payas or halwa, along with fruits, are also suitable offerings.
Offer Tamboolam: Offer a Tamboolam containing Paan, Supari, a split brown coconut, bananas or alternative fruits, Chandan, Kumkum, Haldi, Akshat, and Dakshina.
Pray to Lord Vishnu: Offer your prayers sincerely to Lord Vishnu.
Read Vrat Katha: Recite the Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha.
Additional Readings and Chanting: You may also read the Vishnu Sahasranam or perform Naam Jaapa.
Engage in Charity: Participate in charitable activities by donating food, cash, or essentials.
Evening Puja: Around 6 PM, light an oil lamp and incense sticks, and proceed to pray to Lord Vishnu. You may choose to offer flowers, water, bhog (a sweet dish), or fruits/dry fruits as well.
Conclude the Puja: Perform the aarti to conclude the puja and offer your final salutations to Lord Vishnu.
Significance
Nirjala Ekadashi is also referred to as Bhimaseni Ekadashi, Bhimaseni Nirjala Ekadashi, and Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi, being considered the most significant among the 24 Ekadashis. Observing Nirjala Ekadashi alone is believed to yield the benefits of all 24 Ekadashis for Sadhaks and devoted followers. Simply hearing the names of the 24 Ekadashis in a year is said to alleviate sins and troubles for practitioners. The ancient texts extol the virtues of observing Ekadashi Vrats, especially Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat, with both Hinduism and Jainism honoring Ekadashi as a spiritually significant practice. Fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi is thought to be as beneficial as fasting on all Ekadashis throughout the year. Legend has it that Bhima worshipped Lord Vishnu without consuming water on Nirjala Ekadashi, leading to enhanced longevity and spiritual salvation through observing this rigorous fast according to scriptures.
History
The Nirjala Ekadashi is alternatively referred to as Pandava Ekadashi, Bhimseni Ekadashi, or Bhima Ekadashi, attributed to a specific tale. Among the Pandava brothers and Draupadi, only Bhimsen, the second Pandava known for his hearty appetite, struggled to adhere to Ekadashi fasting due to his inability to resist food cravings. Feeling remorseful for not being able to uphold the fast like the others, Bhima sought guidance from Maharishi Vyasa. Sage Vyasa suggested that Bhima observe a solitary Nirjala Ekadashi fast to make amends for missing the other Ekadashi fasts throughout the year. This narrative is why Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Bhimseni Ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi.
Rituals
On Nirjala Ekadashi you have to wake up early in the morning before the sunrise.
Take a bath and wear clean clothes and set up clean space for your puja with a mat or cloth.
Begin the puja by invoking Bhagwan Vishnu blessings and light a lamp and some incense sticks.
Then offer flowers, water and tulsi leaves at Bhagwan Vishnu’s idol or picture, you can also offer fruits, sweets and other favourite items of Lord Vishnu.
Recite Vishnu Sahasranama or other Vishnu mantra of Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya with devotion.
After the puja, they offer prayers to the tulsi plant and are considered sacred on Ekadashi.
You should offer flowers and chant Vishnu Sahasranamam.
You can wear a Ten Mikhi and a Nineteen Muki Rudraksha beads as Shri Krishna and Narayana rule them.
Wearing these Rudraksha beads on this day always purifies your inner self and strengthens your willpower.
It is a complete fast without water so make sure to avoid food or drink throughout the day and at night.
In the evening perform aarti to conclude the puja.
The next day after sunset break your fast by consuming a simple meal.
If due ro any reason the devotee is not able to break the fast on the next day then she/he should have water to signify the completion of the fast and later have food when convenient.
It’s customary to first offer the food to Lord Vishnu and then partake in it as prasad.
Faqs
When is Nirjala Ekadashi?
Nirjala Ekadashi will be observed on June 18, 2024.
Which deity is Nirjala Ekadashi dedicated to?
Nirjala Ekadashi is observed in honor of Lord Vishnu.
To whom should charity be given on Nirjala Ekadashi?
Charity should be extended to Brahmins as well as the impoverished, vulnerable, and those in need.
What items should be donated on Nirjala Ekadashi?
Donations should be made of food, clothing, fruits, and educational materials on the auspicious occasion of Nirjala Ekadashi.
