Nirjala Ekadashi 2025 Vrat: Puja Rituals, Katha & Why It’s the Most Auspicious Ekadashi

Nirjala Ekadashi 2025, considered the most powerful and spiritually rewarding fast in the SanatanGyan tradition, will be observed with great devotion on Friday, 6 June 2025.

Nirjala Ekadashi 2025, the most spiritually intense and rewarding fast in Hinduism, will be observed on Friday, 6 June 2025. Falling during the Shukla Paksha of the Jyeshtha month, this Ekadashi is widely recognized for its strict observance—no food, no water for a full 24 hours. Devotees undertake this rigorous vrat to seek Lord Vishnu’s divine blessings and attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).

What is Nirjala Ekadashi?

The word Nirjala means "without water." On this day, people do not eat or drink anything at all. This makes Nirjala Ekadashi the hardest among all 24 Ekadashis in the year. Unlike other Ekadashis, where people may eat fruits or drink milk, here they avoid even water. It is also called Bhimseni Ekadashi. This is because it is linked to Bhima, the strong brother from the Mahabharata epic.

This special day is very important in the Sanatan tradition. Fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi is believed to give the same spiritual rewards as fasting on all 24 Ekadashis. People think that those who fast with devotion will be freed from all their sins. They will also reach Vaikuntha, the home of Lord Vishnu, after their life.

Nirjala Ekadashi 2025: Date and Timings

• Date: Friday, 6 June 2025

• Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 2:15 AM on 6 June 2025

• Ekadashi Tithi Ends: 4:47 AM on 7 June 2025

The fast should be broken on Dwadashi morning (7 June) after sunrise with fruits or a light sattvic meal.

Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha: The Legend of Bhima

The Vrat Katha (spiritual story) is an integral part of this sanatangyan observance. According to the legend, Bhima, known for his enormous appetite, found it nearly impossible to fast on each Ekadashi. Seeking a solution, he approached Sage Vyasa, who advised him to observe just one fast—Nirjala Ekadashi—with complete devotion and without consuming even water. By doing so, Bhima would earn the benefits of all 24 Ekadashis.

Bhima accepted the challenge, successfully completed the fast, and received Lord Vishnu’s divine blessings. Since then, this day has been celebrated as Bhimseni Ekadashi in his honor.

How to Observe Nirjala Ekadashi

To properly observe the Nirjala Ekadashi vrat, devotees follow these steps:

1. Sankalp (Vow): Take a vow on the night before after a light, sattvic meal, promising to fast with sincerity and devotion.

2. Waterless Fasting: Refrain from eating or drinking anything throughout the day.

3. Spiritual Practices: Engage in chanting mantras, reading scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita, and listening to or reciting the Ekadashi Vrat Katha.

4. Avoid Negativity: Stay away from anger, falsehoods, and negative thoughts.

5. Parana (Breaking the Fast): On Dwadashi morning, break your fast with fruits or a light meal after sunrise.

People who are elderly, pregnant, or ill may opt for a phalahar (fruits and milk) version of the fast instead of going completely waterless.

Mantras and Bhajans for Nirjala Ekadashi

To enhance the spiritual atmosphere, devotees often chant:

• "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"

• Vishnu Sahasranama

• Bhagavad Gita recitations

• Traditional bhajans dedicated to Lord Vishnu

These practices help deepen the connection with the Divine and amplify the spiritual merit of the vrat, as emphasized in the sanatangyan tradition.

Charity and Puja Rituals

Charity plays a key role in Nirjala Ekadashi observance:

Donate essentials like food, water pots, clothes, and money to the needy.

Worship Tulsi Mata and offer water, flowers, and lamps to Lord Vishnu.

Lighting a diya in front of the deity is considered very auspicious.

These acts of selflessness align with the sanatangyan values of compassion, humility, and spiritual discipline.

Nirjala Ekadashi 2025 stands out as the most spiritually significant and challenging of all Ekadashis, observed with unwavering devotion and discipline. With its emphasis on complete fasting, deep prayer, and charitable acts, this sacred day offers devotees the rare opportunity to earn the collective merits of all 24 Ekadashis in a single vrat. Rooted in the legend of Bhima and enriched by rituals, mantras, and acts of compassion, Nirjala Ekadashi reflects the core values of the SanatanGyan tradition—devotion, self-control, and the pursuit of moksha.