Nirjala Ekadashi 2026 — Thursday, 25 June 2026

About Nirjala Ekadashi

Nirjala Ekadashi, in the bright half of Jyeshtha, is kept without food and, traditionally, without water from sunrise to the next day’s parana; nirjala means “waterless”. Keeping it is said to carry the merit of all the year’s Ekadashis. Because it comes in the hottest weeks, giving water, pitchers, fans and fruit to others is as much a part of the day as the fast. A waterless fast in summer heat is hard on the body; anyone elderly, pregnant, diabetic or on medication should drink water or keep a lighter fast.

Also called: Bhimseni Ekadashi, Pandava Ekadashi

The katha

Of the Pandavas, Bhima found fasting the hardest, for his hunger was as great as his strength, and he could not keep Ekadashi twice a month. He asked the sage Vyasa for a way. Vyasa told him to keep just one Ekadashi, in Jyeshtha, without even water, and that it would carry the merit of all the others. Bhima kept it, and the day has since also been called Bhimseni Ekadashi.

A summary of the Ekadashi mahatmya in the Padma and Bhavishya Uttara Puranas.

How Ekadashi is kept

• The fast runs from sunrise on Ekadashi to the parana on the next day. Many eat a single simple, sattvic meal on Dashami evening, before the fast begins.
• Grains and pulses, rice above all, are traditionally avoided. Fruit, milk, curd, nuts and phalahar foods such as sabudana, kuttu, singhara and potato are commonly eaten; the exact custom differs from family to family.
• The fast can be kept at different levels: nirjala (without water), phalahar (fruit and milk), or one meal without grains. Choose what suits your body; no single level is required of everyone.
• The day is given to Vishnu: tulsi leaves, a lamp, the Vishnu Sahasranama or a mantra such as Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, and the katha of that Ekadashi. Tulsi is usually picked the day before, as many avoid plucking it on Ekadashi.
• Some stay awake at night singing bhajans (jagaran), and many give food or grain in charity.
• Parana is on Dwadashi, within the window shown in the list: after Hari Vasara, ideally early in the day, and before Dwadashi ends. The fast is usually broken with something light, often with a little tulsi water.
• Anyone who is pregnant or nursing, elderly, diabetic, on regular medication or unwell can keep a lighter fast — fruit and milk, or one meal — or simply keep the day in prayer. If you have a health condition, ask your doctor before fasting.

Ekadashi: the full guide and every date

Questions people ask