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Nirjala Ekadashi 2024 Date– Importance - No Water Fasting

Nirjala Ekadasi is one of the most popular and toughest Ekadashi Fasting days. Nirjala Ekadashi 2024 date is June 18. Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Pandav Bhim Ekadasi fast. The difference from other Ekadasis and Nirjala is that devotees do not drink water on the day. Ekadasi fasting is dedicated to Bhagavan Vishnu and is observed on the 11th day of a fortnight in a traditional Hindu calendar.

Importance Of Nirjala Ekadasi Fasting

The greatness of this Ekadasi was explained to Bhima, the second Pandava brother, by sage Vyasa. Hence the Ekadasi is also referred as Pandava Ekadashi or Bhim Ekadashi.

The significance of Nirjala Ekadasi is mentioned in the Mahabharata and Padma Purana. Draupadi and the Pandavas, except for Bhima, used to observe all the Ekadasis. Bhima, who was a voracious eater, could not bear hunger and used to skip the fasting.

Now, Bhima wanted to observe fast and also eat!! So he enquired to Sage Vyasa to find a way out. But since eating and fasting was impossible, sage Vyasa told about Nirjala Ekadasi, which has all the benefits of observing twenty four ekadasis.

Nirjala Ekadasi Fasting

Sage Vyasa advised Bhim to observe Nirjala Ekadasi fasting which falls during the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) in Jyeshta month as it has the benefits of observing all the 24 Ekadasis. Thus Bhim was able to get the benefits of all Ekadasis by observing Nirjala Ekadasi.

A Tough Fasting With No Drinking Of Water

Nirjala Ekadasi is one of the strictest fast in Hindu religion and among all Ekadasis.

Nirjala means ‘without water.’ Staunch Vishnu devotees who undertake this fast does not drink water while fasting on the day. No food is also consumed on the day. The fast begins on Ekadasi tithi or sunrise and ends on next day (Dwadasi) sunrise.

It is believed that observing Nirjala Ekadashi provides the benefit of all the other Ekadashis observed in a year. Observing it is also equal to going on pilgrimage. It is believed that after death people who have observed Nirjala Ekadashi are received by messengers from Vaikunta, abode of Vishnu, and not by Yama, the god of death.

It is strictly advised by elders and doctors that those people having poor health condition (diseases), those undertaking medicines, pregnant women and those who have just delivered baby should not attempt to observe Nirjala Ekadasi. As per Hindu tradition, one should never torture the body. Only a healthy person should attempt to observe the vrat.

There are several other better ways of observing it like donating food and clothes to the needy.

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