Nirjala Ekadashi on 18 June 2024, it is the most important and significant Ekadashi out of all twenty four Ekadashi in a year. Nirjala Vrat means without water and Nirjala Ekadashi fasting is observed without water and any type of food.
Nirjala Ekadashi 2024 Date
According to the Panchang Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month will start on 17 June at 4:43 a.m. and will continue till 18 June, 6:24 a.m. The Nirjala Ekadashi fast will be observed on the 18th of June, Tuesday.
The Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month is called Nirijala Ekadashi. Nirjala Ekadashi is considered to be the most important and difficult fast among all the Ekadashi fasts of the whole year.
Ekadashi tithi of both sides of every month is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, by keeping a fast on Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu is worshipped with rituals. As per Vedic scriptures every Ekadashi is significantly an auspicious day that celebrates the eternal greatness and power of the supreme, the sustaining force of the entire universe.
Nirjala Ekadashi 2024 Significance
Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Bhimaseni Ekadashi, Bhimaseni Nirjala Ekadashi and Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi. The Nirjala Ekadashi is to be the most important of all the 24 Ekadashis. Even if any of the other 23 Ekadashi have not been observed just by observing the Nirjala Ekadashi, Sadhak and ardent devotees gain all the fruits.
Some have quoted that even hearing the names of the 24 Ekadashi in the year can remove most of the sins and troubles of Sadhaks and Devotees. Ancient texts speak highly about the many benefits of observing all the Ekadashi Vrats and predominantly Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat. Along with Hinduism Jainism too considers Ekadashi to be holy which has spiritual connotations.
It is believed this difficult fast gives the same result as observing fast on all Ekadashi of the year. According to the scriptures, Bhima worshipped Lord Vishnu without drinking water on Nirjala Ekadashi. Keeping the fast of Nirjala Ekadashi gives long life and salvation.
Nirjala Ekadashi 2024 Rituals
There are some rituals that you have to follow while the Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat:
- 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.
Nirjala Ekadashi History
The Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Pandava Ekadashi, Bhimseni Ekadashi or Bhima Ekadashi due to one legend associated with the Nirjala Ekadashi. Bhimsen, the second Pandava brother and voracious eater was not able to control his desire of having food and was not able to observe Ekadashi fasting.
Except Bhima, all the Pandava brothers and Draupadi used to observe all the Ekadashi fasting. Bhima, being upset due to his weak determination and doing a dishonour to Lord Vishnu met Maharishi Vyasa to find some solution.
Saga Vyasa advised Bhima to observe single Nirjala Ekadashi fasting to compensate for not observing all Ekadashi fasting in a year. Due to this legend Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Bhimseni Ekadashi or a Pandava Ekadashi.