As per the Hindu scriptures, among all the twenty-four Ekadashis, Nirjala Ekadashi possesses the highest level of significance and importance. As the name suggests, the literal meaning of Nirjala is without water. Thus, on the day of Nirjala Ekadashi devotees observe a dry fast where they neither consume food nor a single drop of water.
As per the Hindu calendar, Nirjala Ekadashi is celebrated in the month of Jyeshtha during the Shukla Paksha on the 11th day (Ekadashi tithi). According to the Gregorian calendar, the day falls in the month of June.
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See AlsoAarti: Ekadashi Mata Aarti
As per the Hindu scriptures and mythology, the story of Nirjala Ekadashi states that it is basically associated with Bhima, who was the strongest and the second one among the Pandavas. As per the story of Pandava Bhima Ekadashi mentioned in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Bhima wished to please Lord Vishnu and decided to observe the fasts of Ekadashis but due to hunger, he was unable to do so.
All his brothers, mother Kunti, and wife Draupadi used to observe the fast of Ekadashis. But the inability to control hunger refrained Bheem from observing all the Ekadashi fasts. He thought that he might dishonor the deity because of not observing the fast and thus he sought guidance from Sage Vyasa for the same.
The sage guided Bhima to observe a fast of Nirjala Ekadashi which takes place once in a year. This is the most important and pious Ekadashis among all by which a person can attain the virtues of all other twenty-four Ekadashis. Listening to the advice of the Sage, Bhima observed Nirjala Ekadashi. Since that day, devotees observe a fast of Nirjala Ekadashi also popular by the name of Bhima Ekadashi or Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi.
Apart from Nirjala Ekadashi, there are 23 Ekadashi Vrat in a year that fall on Krishna and Shukla Paksha of Hindu Calendar. All these Ekadashi tithi are very significant in Hindu traditions and are popular with various Ekadashi names. Here is the list of Ekadashi Vrat observed throughout the year.
S. N. |
Hindu Month |
Paksha |
Ekadashi Vrat |
1 |
Chaitra |
Krishna Paksha |
|
2 |
Chaitra |
Shukla Paksha |
|
3 |
Vaishakha |
Krishna Paksha |
|
4 |
Vaishakha |
Shukla Paksha |
|
5 |
Jyeshtha |
Krishna Paksha |
|
6 |
Jyeshtha |
Shukla Paksha |
Nirjala Ekadashi |
7 |
Ashadha |
Krishna Paksha |
|
8 |
Ashadha |
Shukla Paksha |
|
9 |
Shravana |
Krishna Paksha |
|
10 |
Shravana |
Shukla Paksha |
|
11 |
Bhadrapada |
Krishna Paksha |
|
12 |
Bhadrapada |
Shukla Paksha |
|
13 |
Ashwin |
Krishna Paksha |
|
14 |
Ashwin |
Shukla Paksha |
|
15 |
Kartika |
Krishna Paksha |
|
16 |
Kartika |
Shukla Paksha |
|
17 |
Margashirsha |
Krishna Paksha |
|
18 |
Margashirsha |
Shukla Paksha |
|
19 |
Paush |
Krishna Paksha |
|
20 |
Paush |
Shukla Paksha |
|
21 |
Magha |
Krishna Paksha |
|
22 |
Magha |
Shukla Paksha |
|
23 |
Phalguna |
Krishna Paksha |
|
24 |
Phalguna |
Shukla Paksha |
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