Nirjala Ekadashi 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Devotees of Lord Vishnu: Followers of Vishnu observe this strictest of the Ekadashi fasts, going without food and water, to earn the merit of all twenty-four Ekadashis of the year.
• Those Seeking Merit and Liberation: Many keep this vrat to wash away sins and seek the Lord's grace on the path to liberation (Moksha).
• Those Unable to Fast Every Ekadashi: Devotees who cannot observe all the Ekadashis through the year keep this one day with full discipline.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Preparation: The fast begins at sunrise after an early bath in the Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn hour) or early morning, and the Sankalp is taken.
• Vishnu Puja: The main puja is done in the morning, and the Lord is remembered again in the evening. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Night Vigil: Many devotees stay awake in the night, singing bhajans and reading the Vishnu katha.
• Breaking the Fast (Parana): The fast is broken the next morning on Dwadashi, after the morning puja and within the Parana time. Check the Parana time for your city on this page.

About the Festival

Nirjala Ekadashi is a deeply revered Vaishnava observance, kept across India, where devotees fast without food or even a drop of water for Lord Vishnu. It takes place on the Ekadashi (eleventh day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha.

The Vrat Katha (Story of Bhima)

When the sage Vyasa taught the Pandavas the merit of observing every Ekadashi fast, Bhima, the second of the brothers, grew troubled. His mighty hunger, known as Vrikodara, meant that he could not remain without food even for a single day.

Bhima approached Vyasa and said that he longed to gain the same merit as his brothers and Draupadi, but his appetite made it impossible to fast on each Ekadashi. He asked for one vrat that could give him the whole fruit.

The sage answered with compassion: "Observe the Ekadashi of the bright half of Jyeshtha without food and without even a sip of water. Keep this single fast with full discipline, and it will bring the merit of all twenty-four Ekadashis."

Bhima followed the advice with great determination, bearing the heat of the summer and his own hunger, and worshipped Lord Vishnu with devotion. Pleased by his effort, the Lord blessed him with the merit of the whole year's fasts. Since that day, this Ekadashi has also been known as Bhimseni Ekadashi, and devotees keep it with faith and discipline.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Idol: Picture or idol of Lord Vishnu (or Lord Vishnu with Goddess Lakshmi)
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Chandan (sandalwood paste), Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick
• Sacred Water Container: A Kalash filled with fresh water, for the puja and for charity
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Fruits and sweets (offered to the Lord and shared only after the fast is broken)
• Devotional Accessories: Tulsi leaves, yellow flowers, incense sticks, and a Kalava (sacred red thread)

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes (preferably yellow or white).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Lord Vishnu, today I observe this Nirjala Ekadashi fast without food and water. Grant me the strength to complete this vow with pure devotion."
3. Observe the fast throughout the day and night without grain or water. (Those who cannot keep it in full may take only fruits and water, as their health allows.)

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar

1. Clean the northeastern corner (Ishan Kone) of your home or your puja space.
2. Place the image or idol of Lord Vishnu on a Chowki (wooden stool) covered with a clean yellow cloth.
3. Place the Kalash on a small pile of rice grains near the idol and arrange the Tulsi leaves, flowers, and Naivedya.

Step 3: Performing the Vishnu Puja

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and place it in front of Lord Vishnu.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Chandan, Roli, and Akshat to the idol.
3. Offering Flowers & Tulsi: Offer yellow flowers and fresh Tulsi leaves, and tie a piece of Kalava around the Kalash.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place the fruits and sweets before the Lord.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After the story, offer the held grains and petals at the Lord's feet.

Step 5: Aarti and Night Vigil

1. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" or the Vishnu Sahasranama, and perform the Vishnu Aarti with the lit Ghee lamp.
2. In the evening, light a Diya again and pray before the Lord.
3. Spend the night in remembrance of the Lord through bhajans and prayer, and give water and food in charity, such as water pots, fans, or fruits, in keeping with the season.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast (Parana)

1. On the next morning (Dwadashi), bathe and perform a short puja to Lord Vishnu.
2. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh), and offer water, food, or clothes to a Brahmin or someone in need.
3. Break your fast within the Parana time by first taking Tulsi water and the prasad, followed by a simple sattvic meal.