Nirjala Ekadashi 2024 Date and Time: When is Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat? Know Tithi, Shubh Muhurat and Puja Vidhi to Observe One of Most Important Ekadashis

Nirjala Ekadashi, also known as Pandava Bhima Ekadashi, or Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi, is an auspicious Hindu fasting day. It falls on the 11th lunar day (Ekadashi) of the waxing fortnight of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, which falls in May or June in the Gregorian calendar. This year, Nirjala Ekadashi falls on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The name of the auspicious day "Nirjala Ekadashi" derives its name from the word "Nir-jala" meaning "without water." Hence on this day, devotees observe a fast without consuming even a drop of water. It is considered to be the most sacred of all 24 Ekadashis that fall in a year. If observed religiously and with devotion, Nirjala Ekadashi vrat is said to be the most rewarding and granting the virtue gained by the observance of all 24 Ekadashis in the year. Ekadashi 2024 List for PDF Download Online: Dates, Parana Timings, Significance and Rituals of the 24 Ekadashi Vrat.

Nirjala Ekadashi 2024 Date

Nirjala Ekadashi 2024 falls on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

Nirjala Ekadashi Significance

Nirjala Ekadashi is an important day for people of the Hindu community. The Brahma Vaivarta Purana narrates the story behind the Nirjala Ekadashi vrata vow. The day is also known as Pandava Bhima Ekadashi, which gets its name from Bhima, the second and strongest of the five Pandava brothers, heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Bhima, a lover of food, wanted to observe all Ekadashi fasts, but could not control his hunger. He approached the sage Vyasa, author of the Mahabharata and grandfather of the Pandavas for a solution. The sage advised him to observe Nirjala Ekadashi when for one day in the year, he should observe an absolute fast. Bhima attained the virtue of all 24 Ekadashis, by observing Nirjala Ekadashi.

The water-less (Nirjal) fast is considered extremely difficult to follow as the day falls during the peak summer season in India. The fast is observed 24 hours from sunrise on Nirjala Ekadashi to sunrise the next day. According to the Markandeya Purana and the Vishnu Purana, the day of Ekadashi is itself a form of Vishnu. The vrata observed on this day is said to wash away all sins. It is most popular and strictly observed by the Vaishnavas, in particular.

(The information provided here is based on beliefs and legends only. Before applying any information in real life, consult the concerned expert.)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2024 12:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).