NirjalaEkadashi
‖ 14 June 2027 (Monday) ‖
Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi — the hardest and most meritorious Ekadashi of the year, also called Bhimseni Ekadashi. Kept without even water, it is said to grant the merit of all twenty-four Ekadashis.
Nirjala Ekadashi falls in the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha, in the fierce heat of summer. Kept without food and without water, it is the height of restraint and devotion — and for Shyam devotees, a special chance to surrender at Baba's feet.
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The hardest, the most rewarding
The scriptures say that a devotee who cannot keep all the year's Ekadashis may keep this one Nirjala fast alone and receive the merit of them all. That is why it is held to be the greatest of the Ekadashis.
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Bhimseni Ekadashi
In the Mahabharata, Bhima could not keep the other Ekadashis because of his great hunger; on Sage Vyasa's advice he kept only this one fast each year and gained the merit of all. From this it took the name "Bhimseni Ekadashi".
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Shyam Baba and Ekadashi
Shri Khatu Shyam Ji is Krishna's own form in the age of Kali, and Ekadashi is the day dear to Vishnu-Krishna. On Nirjala Ekadashi the temple keeps special bhajan-kirtan and a tradition of water-seva (pyaau) — giving water to travellers in the burning heat is held to be the merit of the day.
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Restraint from the night of Dashami — sattvic food and continence.
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On Ekadashi, bathe at dawn, remember Krishna / Shyam Baba and take the sankalp (vow).
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Keep the waterless fast through the day — as you are able; the unwell, elderly and ill may take water or fruit.
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Give water and food — set up a pyaau (water stall); donating water-pots, an umbrella or a fan is especially fruitful.
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Break the fast (paran) on Dwadashi morning after bathing, puja and taking water.
Nirjala Ekadashi — FAQ
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How is the Nirjala Ekadashi fast kept?
Restraint begins from the night of Dashami; on Ekadashi the fast is kept without water and without food, and broken (paran) on Dwadashi morning after bathing and puja, taking water. The unwell, elderly and ill may take water or fruit as they are able.
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Why is Nirjala Ekadashi called Bhimseni Ekadashi?
In the Mahabharata, Bhima could not keep the other Ekadashis because of hunger, so on Sage Vyasa's advice he kept only this one waterless fast each year and gained the merit of all the Ekadashis — hence the name Bhimseni Ekadashi.
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What should one donate on Nirjala Ekadashi?
On this summer Ekadashi, the gift of water is the highest — setting up a pyaau, and donating water-pots, an umbrella, a fan, sharbat and food are all held to be especially fruitful.