Every fast has its own importance and benefits as per the Hindu scriptures. It is believed that keeping a fast brings the divine blessings of the Lord and showers the devotees with happiness and prosperity. Ekadashi Vrat holds a very significant place among all the fasts. There are 24 Ekadashis every year.
In Hinduism, Ekadashi is a very auspicious day that holds great importance. Every month, there are two Ekadashis. Ekadashi (11th) day of Shukla Paksha (Waxing Moon Period) of Jyeshtha (May-June) month, as per the Hindu Calendar, is called Nirjala Ekadashi.
This Ekadashi is also known as No Water Fasting, Pandava Ekadashi, Bhimseni or Bhima Ekadashi.
In literal terms, ‘Nirjala’ means No Water. ‘Nir’ means no, and ‘Jala’ means without water. It means that this fast must be observed without eating and drinking water. It is one of the toughest fast known. Additionally, Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Pandav Bhim Ekadashi. As the significance of this Ekadashi was explained to Pandav Putra Bhima by sage Vyasa, it is named accordingly.
So, let’s get to know more about Date, Vrat Katha, Puja Vidhi, and the Benefits of fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi 2023.
Nirjala Ekadashi 2023: Date, Muhurat and Timings
This year, Nirjala Ekadashi will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
- Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 01:07 p.m on May 30, 2023
- Ekadashi Tithi Ends: 01:45 p.m on May 31, 2023
- Parana Tithi (breaking fast) of Ekadashi: June 1 between 05:24 a.m to 08:10 a.m
Significance of Nirjala Ekadashi
According to Hindu texts, fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi is considered not only just an ancient ritual but also holds benefits for both mental and physical health. Also, the term Nirjala ‘s literal meaning is victory, which means observing fast on Nirjala Ekadashi brings success and victory in a difficult situation. It helps to eliminate all types of hurdles and obstacles.
It is believed that the one who observes a Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat can attain the virtues of all other twenty-four Ekadashis. By observing this fast, Devotees can get rid of their past and present birth sins and wrong deeds and can attain the path of righteousness and liberation.
Also, Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat helps Devotees to attain wealth, good health, longevity, fame, success and salvation. According to Hindu scriptures, observing Nirjala Ekadashi fast with utmost devotion brings the equal benefits of visiting a pilgrimage. Also, it is believed that after death, devotees who have observed Nirjala Ekadashi, are received by messengers from Vaikunta, the abode of Vishnu, and not by Yama, the god of death.
Nirjala Ekadashi 2023 Puja Vidhi
On Nirjala Ekadashi, worshipping Lord Vishnu is highly auspicious. Performing puja is not only rewarding but also brings positive energy into the house and helps to eliminate negative energy. So, let’s find below the puja vidhi on Nirjala Ekadashi.
- On the Ekadashi fast, wake up early in the morning, take a holy bath and wear clean clothes
- Place an idol of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi and light a diya of ghee in front of them.
- Light incense sticks and dhoop. Offer flowers, fruits, sweets and panchamrit to Lord Vishnu and Mata Lakshmi.
- Do not forget to put Tulsi Patra in each eatable that is offered to God.
- Recite Ekadashi Katha and sing bhajans of Lord Vishnu.
- Visit Lord Vishnu temple and observe the fast for the day.
- On the next day, that is, Dwadashi, break the fast during Parana time by consuming satvik food.
Nirjala Ekadashi Mantra
The mantra ‘ Om Namoha Bhagvate Vasudevaye’ should be chanted 108 times if possible using a Tulsi Mala.
|| ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय नमः ||
Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya namah
Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha
According to the Hindu texts, this Ekadasi was explained to Bhima, the second Pandava brother, by sage Vyasa. Hence, the Ekadasi is referred to as Pandav Ekadasi or Bhim Ekadashi.
The importance of Nirjala Ekadasi is described in the Mahabharata and Padma Purana. It is said that Draupadi and the Pandavas, except for Pandav Putra Bhima, used to observe all the Ekadasis. Bhima, who was gluttonous and could not bear hunger and used to skip fasting on Ekadasis.
But Bhima wanted to observe fast and also wanted to eat!! So he requested Sage Vyasa to find a way out for observing fast. But since eating and fasting were not possible, sage Vyasa mentioned Nirjala Ekadasi, which carries all the benefits of observing twenty-four Ekadasis.
Sage Vyasa advised Bhima to observe this Nirjala Ekadasi fasting which falls during the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Jyeshta month as it has the benefits of observing all 24 Ekadasis. Thus, Bhim was able to get the benefits of all Ekadasis by observing Nirjala Ekadashi.
Benefits of Observing Nirjala Ekadashi
- Brings all benefits of twenty-four Ekadashi fasting in a year
- Gain benefits of the virtue of all Ekadasis
- Freedom from all sins of past and present birth
- Messengers from Vaikunta, the abode of Vishnu, come to receive after death
- Helps to attain fame, success, wealth and long life
Learn about the Religious Benefits of Fasting on Ekadashi
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