Nirjala Ekadashi Date 2027: Vrat Katha, Puja Vidhi, Parana, Jal Daan and the Story of Bhimseni Ekadashi

Nirjala Ekadashi is the Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha), and it is regarded as the hardest and most rewarding Ekadashi of the whole year. “Nirjala” means “without water”: on this day devotees give up not only food but water too. By tradition, this single fast brings the merit of every Ekadashi in the year.

It is also called Bhimseni Ekadashi and Pandava Ekadashi. The story goes that Bhimasena, the Pandava who could not bear hunger, asked Maharishi Ved Vyasa for one fast that would give him the merit of all the Ekadashis. Vyasa told him to keep the waterless fast of Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi.

Because it falls at the peak of summer, the day carries a special custom of jal daan: giving water-filled clay pots, sherbet, hand fans and umbrellas. On this page you will find the date and parana time, the full vrat katha, a step-by-step puja vidhi, mantras, the rules on water and achamana, the importance of daan, and the health precautions everyone should read before fasting.

Nirjala Ekadashi Date 2027: Tithi and Parana Time

Quick answer: Nirjala Ekadashi 2026 (25 June) has passed. The next Nirjala Ekadashi is on Monday, 14 June 2027. As per the New Delhi panchang, Ekadashi tithi runs from about 2:11 AM on 14 June 2027 to about 2:07 AM on 15 June. Hari Vasara lasts until about 8:15 AM on 15 June, so the parana window is given as roughly 1:45 PM to 4:32 PM that afternoon.

Check your own city’s fasting date and exact parana time in the table above, because timings change with local sunrise. In 2027 the Smarta (household) fast is on 14 June, while Vaishnava traditions such as ISKCON fast the next day, 15 June, as “Pakshavardhini Mahadwadashi”. Follow the day your family or sampradaya observes.

Nirjala Ekadashi Meaning and Other Names

“Nirjala” joins “nir” (without) and “jala” (water). So Nirjala Ekadashi simply means the Ekadashi kept without even water. On other Ekadashis fruit, milk and water are usually allowed, but the defining rule of this one is giving up water.

Other names of Nirjala Ekadashi

• Bhimseni Ekadashi: the most popular name, because Bhimasena kept this fast. It is also called Bhima Ekadashi or Bhimsen Ekadashi.
• Pandava Ekadashi: after the five Pandavas and Bhima. ISKCON calendars list it as “Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi”.
• Pandava Dwadashi: some katha texts say the day also became known by this name after Bhima’s fast.
• Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi: the panchang name based on the tithi.

Month in the Purnimanta and Amanta calendars

Since Nirjala is a Shukla Paksha Ekadashi, it is called Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi in both the Purnimanta calendar of North India and the Amanta calendar of South and West India. The month name for the bright fortnight is the same in both systems. In the Gregorian calendar it usually falls between late May and June.

In the katha, Vyasa describes it as the Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi when the Sun is in Vrishabha (Taurus) or Mithuna (Gemini). The day before, Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami, is celebrated as Ganga Dussehra in many places, so many devotees take a holy dip on Dashami and keep the Nirjala fast the next day.

Significance of Nirjala Ekadashi

A normal year has 24 Ekadashis, and a year with an Adhik Maas has 26. Among them Nirjala is held to be the greatest. The reason is not only how hard it is, but the compassion in its story: even someone who cannot keep every Ekadashi has a path to the Lord’s grace.

Religious significance

By tradition, keeping Nirjala Ekadashi gives the merit of all the Ekadashis of the year. The katha says that bathing, charity, japa and homa done on this day become “akshaya”, merit that never fades.

Spiritual message

The most beautiful lesson of Nirjala Ekadashi is honesty and humility. Even a mighty warrior like Bhima did not hide his weakness from his elder; he said plainly, “I cannot bear hunger.” Vyasa did not scold him but showed him a path that suited his capacity.

The second lesson is understanding thirst. A day without water lets us feel what the thirsty go through in summer, which is why this fast is tied to the seva of giving water.

Mention in the Puranas

By tradition, the story and glory of Nirjala Ekadashi are linked to the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. In the popular Hindi kathas the conversation is set within a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Yudhishthira, where Krishna says that Vyasa will explain it. In some tellings, Suta narrates the same story to Shaunaka and the sages.

Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha: Bhima and Sage Vyasa

Yudhishthira’s question

Once Dharmaraja Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna about the fast of Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi and its fruit. Krishna replied that Maharishi Ved Vyasa, the son of Satyavati and the great knower of dharma and the scriptures, would describe it. Vyasa then told the story.

Vyasa’s teaching: fast on both Ekadashis

Vyasa first explained the general rule of Ekadashi to the Pandavas. One should not eat grain on the Ekadashi of either fortnight, Krishna or Shukla. On Dwadashi, after bathing and worshipping Lord Keshava, one should first feed Brahmins and the needy and then eat.

In the Pandava household, Yudhishthira, Mother Kunti, Draupadi, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva all kept the Ekadashi fast faithfully. They kept telling Bhima not to eat on Ekadashi either. But for Bhimasena this was the hardest thing in the world.

Bhima’s problem: the fire called “Vrika”

Bhima folded his hands and said, “Grandfather, I can worship the Lord and I can give charity, but I cannot stay hungry. A fire called ‘Vrika’ always burns in my stomach. It calms down only when I eat a great deal. I cannot keep a fast even by eating once a day.”

He went on, “At most I can manage one fast in a year. Please tell me one vrat that will bring me heaven and well-being, and the merit of all the Ekadashis.” Vyasa first reminded him that the path to heaven was to keep the Ekadashi of both fortnights. Bhima again told him, honestly, that he simply could not.

Vyasa’s solution: one waterless fast

Seeing his sincerity, Vyasa said, “In the month of Jyeshtha, when the Sun is in Vrishabha or Mithuna, keep a waterless fast on the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight. On that day, leave aside not just food but water too.”

Vyasa also made the water rule clear. Only for rinsing the mouth or for achamana may a little water be put in the mouth. Any other water that is drunk breaks the fast. Giving up water from sunrise on Ekadashi until sunrise the next day, on Dwadashi, completes the vrat.

Then he gave the Dwadashi rule: “On Dwadashi morning, bathe and duly give water and gold to Brahmins. After that, eat together with self-disciplined Brahmins.” Doing this, he said, brings the fruit of every Ekadashi of the year.

The fruit of the fast, as told in the katha

Vyasa said that Lord Keshava himself had told him this. Whoever takes refuge in the Lord alone and keeps the waterless Ekadashi fast is freed from all sins. According to the katha, even sins as large as Mount Meru are burnt away by this vrat.

The katha adds that fearsome messengers of Yama, carrying rod and noose, do not come to such a devotee at the end of life. Instead, gentle messengers of Vishnu in yellow garments, bearing the Sudarshan, come and take the devotee to Vishnu’s abode.

Bhima’s fast and the name

Hearing this, Bhimasena bravely kept the waterless fast of Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi. He spent the whole day without food or water, remembering Lord Vishnu, and broke the fast properly on Dwadashi. From then on, this Ekadashi became famous as “Bhimseni” or “Pandava” Ekadashi.

The lesson of the story

By tradition, hearing or reciting this katha with faith also brings merit, so families read it together after the puja. Its lesson is that we should not hide our weakness from elders and teachers; honest words open the right path. And the Lord values sincerity more than severity: Bhima did what was within his strength, but did it with his whole heart.

Nirjala Ekadashi Puja Vidhi (Step by Step)

Dashami (the day before)

1. On Dashami, eat one light, sattvic meal before sunset. Tradition says not to eat rice on Dashami evening.
2. Do your evening prayers and make a firm resolve for the next day’s fast.
3. Drink plenty of water through Dashami so you do not start the fast already dehydrated. Avoid fried, salty and spicy food, which increases thirst.
4. Pluck tulsi leaves for the puja on Dashami itself, since plucking tulsi on Ekadashi is traditionally avoided.

Ekadashi morning and sankalp

1. Rise before sunrise, clean your teeth and bathe. Add a little Ganga jal to the water if you can.
2. Wear clean clothes; yellow is considered dear to Lord Vishnu.
3. Sit at the altar with a little water, rice grains and a flower in your hand and take the sankalp: “I (your name) keep the Nirjala Ekadashi fast today for the pleasure of Lord Vishnu, giving up food and water except for achamana.” If health means you will take water or fruit, say so in your sankalp.
4. Release the sankalp water at the Lord’s feet or into a vessel; do not drink it.

Worship of Lord Vishnu

1. Spread a yellow cloth on a low stool and place an image of Lord Vishnu, Krishna or a Shaligram. You may add a picture of Lakshmi ji.
2. Bathe the Lord with panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar), then with clean water, and dress him in fresh cloth.
3. Offer sandalwood, yellow flowers, rice grains and tulsi leaves. Light a ghee lamp and incense.
4. In this summer vrat it is also customary to offer a hand fan to the Lord and fan him gently.
5. Offer fruit and sweets as bhog, always with a tulsi leaf.
6. Chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”. If you have time, recite the Vishnu Sahasranama.
7. Read or listen to the vrat katha, then sing the Om Jai Jagdish Hare Aarti and the Ekadashi Mata Ki Aarti.

The day, evening puja and night vigil

1. Stay out of the sun and avoid heavy work. Rest in a cool, shaded place and spend time in bhajan, japa or reading.
2. After the puja, give a water-filled pot, sherbet, a fan, an umbrella or fruit in charity (see the daan section below).
3. In the evening light the lamp again, offer durva grass and flowers, and do aarti. Light a lamp near the tulsi plant too.
4. Avoid anger, gossip and lies. A fast is about a calm mind, not only hunger and thirst.
5. Tradition praises a night jagran with bhajan and kirtan. If you cannot stay up all night, sing until late and then rest; a waterless fast is already tiring.

Dwadashi and parana

1. On Dwadashi, rise before sunrise, bathe and worship Lord Vishnu.
2. If possible, feed a Brahmin or someone in need and give water, cloth and dakshina.
3. Within the parana time, break the fast with the Lord’s charanamrit or a little water with a tulsi leaf, then eat a light sattvic meal.

Puja Samagri List

• Image or picture of Lord Vishnu, Krishna or a Shaligram
• Low stool (chowki) and yellow cloth
• Milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar for panchamrit
• Ganga jal and a kalash of clean water
• Tulsi leaves (plucked on Dashami)
• Yellow flowers, a garland and durva grass
• Sandalwood, roli, turmeric and rice grains
• Ghee lamp, cotton wicks, incense and camphor
• Seasonal fruit (mango, muskmelon, watermelon) and sweets for bhog
• A hand fan to offer the Lord
• For daan: clay pot or kalash, a cloth to cover it, sugar, fruit, fans, umbrellas and dakshina
• The vrat katha book, or this page

Nirjala Ekadashi Mantras

1. Dwadashakshar mantra

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय॥ (Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya)

Meaning: I bow to Lord Vasudeva (Krishna/Vishnu). This twelve-syllable mantra is the main mantra of every Ekadashi, and it is chanted throughout the day of Nirjala Ekadashi.

2. Ashtakshar Narayana mantra

ॐ नमो नारायणाय॥ (Om Namo Narayanaya)

Meaning: I bow to Lord Narayana. This simple eight-syllable mantra can be chanted silently by anyone, even while resting or working.

3. Udakumbha (water pot) daan mantra

देवदेव हृषीकेश संसारार्णवतारक। उदकुम्भप्रदानेन नय मां परमां गतिम्॥

(Devadeva Hrishikesha samsararnava-taraka, udakumbha-pradanena naya mam paramam gatim.)

Meaning: O God of gods, O Hrishikesha, who carries us across the ocean of worldly life, by this gift of a pot of water lead me to the supreme goal. The Nirjala katha gives this mantra to be said while donating a water-filled pot.

4. Vishnu dhyana shloka

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं, विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्। लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं, वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम्॥

Meaning: I bow to Lord Vishnu, who is peace itself, who rests on the serpent bed, from whose navel the lotus rises, lord of the gods and support of the universe, vast as the sky and dark as a rain cloud, beloved of Lakshmi and lotus-eyed, reached by yogis in meditation, remover of the fear of worldly life and the one Lord of all worlds.

Jal Daan on Nirjala Ekadashi: Water Pot, Sherbet, Fan and Umbrella

The one who fasts drinks no water but gives water to others. That is the heart of this vrat.

Water-filled clay pot or kalash

The katha mentions giving pots of water with sugar. Traditionally, a clay pot or kalash is filled with cool water, covered with a cloth and topped with a little sugar or fruit before it is given. You may recite the udakumbha mantra above while giving it.

Sherbet and water service (pyaau)

In many towns and villages people set up sherbet and cold-water stalls (chhabeel or pyaau) by the roadside on Nirjala Ekadashi. Serving passers-by, labourers and rickshaw pullers is considered great seva. Keeping water out for birds and animals belongs to the same spirit.

Fans, umbrellas and footwear

Things that protect from the heat are special gifts on this day: hand fans, umbrellas and shoes or sandals. The katha speaks of special merit for giving footwear to a worthy person.

Food, clothes, fruit and cows

The katha also lists food, clothes, a bed, a seat, a kamandalu, an umbrella and a cow among the gifts. Seasonal fruit like mango, muskmelon and watermelon is also considered auspicious. Give within your means and with respect; do not borrow or show off. Some popular customs also advise not giving salt, oil or sharp objects on Ekadashi.

The 24-Hour Waterless Rule and Achamana

From sunrise to the next sunrise

According to the katha, the waterless fast runs from sunrise on Ekadashi to sunrise on Dwadashi, about 24 hours, with no food or water. Some people keep it waterless from sunrise to sunset and then follow their tradition’s rule.

Note that the water rule runs until Dwadashi sunrise, while breaking the fast with food happens within the panchang’s parana time. In years like 2027, when Hari Vasara pushes parana into the afternoon, ask your tradition or priest about taking water between sunrise and parana. Do not put your health at risk by waiting.

The achamana exception

In the katha, Vyasa clearly allows water in the mouth only for rinsing or for achamana, the ritual sip of a few drops from the palm before worship. Some translations of the texts also give a very small limit for achamana water. Drinking more than that is considered breaking the fast.

Some traditional explanations add that if a little water slips down the throat by accident while bathing or doing achamana, it is not a fault. So there is no need to fear your bath.

Nirjala Fasting and Health: Who Should Be Careful

Nirjala Ekadashi comes in the fierce heat of June, when 24 hours without water is genuinely hard on the body. Faith needs good sense alongside it. What follows is caution, not medical advice; please talk to your doctor about your own situation.

Who should ask a doctor before a waterless fast

• People with diabetes: without food or water, blood sugar can fall too low (hypoglycaemia) or rise too high. Insulin and many diabetes medicines may need a changed dose on fast days, which only your doctor can decide.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: the body needs fluids and nourishment continuously; a waterless fast is not considered suitable.
• Elderly people: the sense of thirst weakens with age and dehydration sets in quickly.
• Children and teenagers: do not make them keep a waterless fast.
• People with kidney disease, kidney stones, heart disease or blood pressure problems: dehydration can make these worse.
• Anyone on regular medicines: especially diuretics (water pills), BP, diabetes, epilepsy or mental-health medicines. Never stop a medicine without asking your doctor.
• Anyone recently unwell: with fever, diarrhoea or vomiting, or after surgery.
• Outdoor workers: for farm, construction or other outdoor work, a waterless fast can be dangerous.

Alternatives

Those who cannot fast without water can keep the fast with water, or with fruit, milk, coconut water and phalahar. Many traditions say clearly that the sick, the elderly and pregnant women may take fruit or milk. Bhima’s own story shows that the Lord accepts sincere devotion offered within one’s capacity.

Warning signs during the fast

If you feel very dizzy or faint, your heart races, you feel confused, you pass very little or very dark urine, or your body is very hot and you stop sweating, drink water at once and contact a doctor. Taking water then is not against dharma. Protecting life comes first.

Nirjala Ekadashi Fasting Rules: What to Eat and What to Avoid

What you can take (in a water or phalahar fast)

• Water, coconut water, lemon water (with rock salt) and buttermilk
• Milk, curd and paneer
• Seasonal fruit such as watermelon, muskmelon, mango, banana and papaya
• Kuttu, singhara or rajgira flour, sabudana and sama rice
• Potato, sweet potato and arbi

What to avoid

• Rice and anything made from it
• Wheat, barley, lentils and all regular grains
• Onion, garlic, meat, fish, eggs and alcohol
• Ordinary table salt (use rock salt)
• Very fried or spicy food, which increases thirst in the heat

Nirjala fast

This is the original and strictest form: no food and no water from sunrise to the next sunrise, with only achamana allowed. Keep it only if you are fully healthy and have fasted before.

Phalahar fast

If you cannot go without water, keep the fast with water and fruit. Take small amounts of water, fruit and milk through the day and give up grain. This is an accepted form of Ekadashi.

One meal (Ekabhukta)

Those who cannot manage even phalahar all day, such as the very old or weak, may take one sattvic phalahari meal. In the katha, Bhima admits he could not keep even a one-meal fast, so this form is well known in tradition.

Nirjala Ekadashi Parana: When and How to Break the Fast

• Parana on Dwadashi: break the fast after sunrise and before Dwadashi tithi ends.
• Not during Hari Vasara: the first quarter of Dwadashi tithi is called Hari Vasara, and parana is not done then. In 2027, Hari Vasara lasts into the morning of 15 June, which is why parana is given in the afternoon.
• Avoid midday: panchangs usually prefer morning parana. When Hari Vasara rules that out, they give a window after madhyahna (midday).
• Smarta and Vaishnava: when the two traditions fast on different days, their parana days differ too. Vaishnavas (ISKCON) should check their own calendar.
• Exact time: see your city’s parana time in the table at the top of this page.

How to do parana

1. On Dwadashi morning, bathe and worship Lord Vishnu, and give food, water and dakshina to someone in need.
2. Within the parana time, first take the Lord’s charanamrit or a little water with a tulsi leaf.
3. Do not gulp a lot of water at once. Sip slowly. Lemon water, coconut water or buttermilk are good choices.
4. Then eat a light sattvic meal, without onion or garlic.

Do’s and Don’ts on Nirjala Ekadashi

Do’s

• Worship Lord Vishnu and chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”.
• Donate a water-filled pot, sherbet, a fan, an umbrella or fruit.
• Break the fast at the right parana time.
• Listen to your body and take water if you need it.

Don’ts

• Do not eat rice, grain, onion, garlic or tamasic food.
• Do not pluck tulsi leaves on Ekadashi.
• Avoid anger, quarrels, gossip and lies.
• Do not stop regular medicines without asking your doctor.
• Do not pressure anyone who is ill, elderly, pregnant or a child into a waterless fast.

Nirjala Ekadashi Myths vs Reality

Myth: Once you keep Nirjala Ekadashi, you never need to keep any other Ekadashi.

Reality: In the katha, Vyasa first said that the Ekadashi of both fortnights should be kept. Nirjala was given because Bhima could not. Tradition asks those who can keep regular Ekadashis to continue; for those who cannot, this one fast is a great support.

Myth: If even a drop of water goes down while bathing or doing achamana, the fast is broken.

Reality: The katha itself allows achamana and rinsing the mouth. Some traditional explanations add that a little water swallowed by accident during bathing or achamana is not a fault. The vow is about deliberately drinking water, not stray drops.

Myth: Drinking water when you feel unwell is a great sin.

Reality: Dharma aims to protect life, not endanger it. With dizziness, fainting or signs of serious dehydration, taking water is the right thing to do.

Myth: If you cannot keep it waterless, the Ekadashi gives no merit.

Reality: The waterless fast is the ideal, but tradition accepts a fast with water, fruit or milk for the sick, elderly, pregnant and weak. Bhima’s whole story shows that the Lord looks at sincere devotion offered within one’s capacity.

Myth: A Nirjala fast “detoxes” the body and is a good way to lose weight.

Reality: Nirjala is a religious austerity, not a diet plan. Going without water dehydrates the body, especially in summer. Keep it for faith, not weight goals.

Myth: Bhimseni Ekadashi and Bhaimi Ekadashi are the same.

Reality: Bhimseni or Pandava Ekadashi is Nirjala Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla. The name Bhaimi Ekadashi appears in some Vaishnava calendars for Jaya Ekadashi of Magha Shukla. The names sound alike, but they are different Ekadashis in different months.

Benefits of Nirjala Ekadashi (as per Religious Belief)

These benefits are beliefs found in tradition and the katha. Read them as matters of faith, not guarantees.

• Merit of all Ekadashis: this one fast is believed to bring the merit of every Ekadashi in the year.
• Freedom from sins: the katha says even the greatest sins are destroyed by this vrat.
• Imperishable merit: bathing, daan, japa and homa on this day are believed to give lasting fruit.
• Vishnu’s abode: tradition calls it a vrat that leads toward the abode of Lord Vishnu.
• Self-discipline and compassion: mastering hunger and thirst builds patience, and giving water builds kindness.

Related Ekadashis and Readings

Just before Nirjala comes Apara Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Krishna Paksha, believed to bring boundless merit. After Nirjala comes Yogini Ekadashi of Ashadha Krishna Paksha. See all Ekadashi dates of the year on our Ekadashi Kab Hai page.

For the puja, also read the Om Jai Jagdish Hare Aarti, Ekadashi Mata Ki Aarti and Tulsi Mata Ki Aarti. Check the day’s tithi and auspicious timings in our Daily Panchang. For all aartis in one place, download the Aarti Sangrah PDF.

Nirjala Ekadashi teaches that devotion is not only hard austerity, but a sincere heart, an honest sense of one’s own strength and the compassion to quench someone else’s thirst. On this day, remember the Lord, give water to someone who is thirsty and take care of your health too. May Shri Hari bless you and your whole family. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

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