--> Skip to main content


How To Observe Nirjala Ekadashi - Mantra - Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Vidhi

Nirjala Ekadasi, or Pandav Bhim Ekadashi, is observed during the Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha – waxing phase of moon in Jyeshta month, which falls during (May end or June beginning). The Ekadasi fasting method for Nirjala Ekadashi is different from the usual practice.



Nirjala Ekadashi - Mantra

Namo Sthvan Anantaya Sahsratra Murtaye Sahstrapataiksha Shiroru Bahave
Sahastra Namno Purushaya Sashavate Sashtrakoti Yug Dharine Namah
नमो स्तवन अनंताय सहस्त्र मूर्तये, सहस्त्रपादाक्षि शिरोरु बाहवे
सहस्त्र नाम्ने पुरुषाय शाश्वते, सहस्त्रकोटि युग धारिणे नम:

Or

Om Padmanabhaya Namah
ॐ पद्मनाभाय नमः

You can chant this simple mantra 108 times

Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Vidhi

  • The previous day of Nirjala Ekadashi one should eat only vegetarian food.
  • On Nirjala Ekadashi day, take bath early in the morning.
  • Wear yellow color dress and offer prayers to Ganesha in mind.
  • Keep a murti or painting of Vishnu on the east side of house or perform the puja in the puja area.
  • Offer cow ghee lamp, yellow flowers, sandalwood paste, sandalwood agarbatti and yellow color fruit or sweet.
  • Chant the mantra of Lord Vishnu 108 times. Keep count on a sandalwood mala.
  • It is a complete fast and is broken next day at sunrise or after Ekadashi tithi ends.
  • Devotees spend the day at Vishnu temples or listening to stories from Bhagavata Purana or by chanting bhajans dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Vishnu Sahasranamam and other slokas dedicated to Lord Vishnu are chanted on the day.
Nirjala Ekadasi is one of the toughest fasting in Hinduism. ‘Nirjala’ means without water and devotees do not drink water on the day of fasting. The greatness of Nirjala Ekadasi was explained to Bhima, the second of the Pandava Brothers, by Sage Vyasa.

It is said that one should not drink water from the moment of sunrise on the Ekadasi day and should drink water only on the sunrise on the day of Dvadasi (next day morning). Devotees also do not eat food on the day.

In the scriptures, it is said that a devotee should perform the purification ritual by drinking water that can immerse a single mustard seed.

It is strongly advised that those who are under medications and have some ailments should not observe Nirjala Ekadasi.

Those devotees who want to observe this particular Ekadasi but can’t follow the rule of not drinking and not eating on the day can observe a partial fast. What is more important is devotion and not the severity of the fasting.

This Ekadasi fasting happens before the starting of the monsoon season and therefore it is also meant in helping in cleansing the body.