Nirjala Ekadashi 2026
25 Jun, 2026
Thursday
Nirjala Ekadashi 2026 on
(25-06-2026)
Muhurtas Details
Tithi Begin Time:
Tithi End Time:
Nakshatra, Muhurat (Start Time):
Nakshatra, Muhurat (End Time):
Ekadashi Parana Time:
Parana Time : 05:09 to 07:49 AM 26 June 2026, Friday
When Nirjala Ekadashi Come?
Nirjala Ekadashi come on the 11th day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha in May and June every year. This Ekadashi derives its name from the “Nirjala Vrat” observed on this day.
Why Nirjala Ekadashi is Very Hard?
The term “Nee-Jala” to Nirjala means this fast need to be done without water. This is strictly restricted not to drink water or eat anything through the day. It is considered as the most difficult and powerful hence the holiest of all the 24 Ekadashis. If observed religiously, it is considered the most fruitful and gives the same merits as one gets from observing all the 24 Ekadashis in a year as Lord Srikrishna told to Bhim.
Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as “Pandava Bhima Ekadashi(पांडव भीम एकादशी)” or “Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi”. The name is derived from the hero Bhima, the second of the five Pandavas brothers in the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha
As per “Brahma Vaivarta Purana(ब्रह्म वैवर्त पुराण)” this Ekadashi Vrat is very auspicious and tough. Pandavas are keep fast of all 24 Ekadashis Vrat except Bhima. Because Bhima was very food-loving, though he wanted to keep fast on all Ekadasis but was unable to control his hunger.
Then he asked Krishna, My all brothers are doing Ekadashis except me. I am trying to keep fast like them but unable to do. Please suggest me any ideas what need to do? So that I can get the punyas of all Ekadashis. Then Lord Sri Krishna suggests, to keep fast on Nirjala Ekadashi(निर्जला एकादशी), while he should observe a complete fast on one day in the year. Bhima gained the merits of all 24 Ekadashis by fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi.
The Significance of Nirjala Ekadashi
According to Markandeya Purana(मार्कण्डेय पुराण) and Vishnu Purana(विष्णु पुराण), the day of Ekadashi is a manifestation of Lord Vishnu himself. The fast observed on this day washes away all sins.
The person who completes the Nirjala Ekadashi fast receives the blessings of Lord Vishnu, who bestows him with happiness, prosperity, and forgiveness of sins. The devotee receives the merits gained by observing all the 24 Ekadashis in a year. This is the most popular and strictly observed fast, especially by Sanatani people.
If anyone do this fast, the person attains the longevity as well as “Moksha” called liberation forever. Usually, the messengers of Yama, the god of death, are described to fetch the soul of the person after death. Yama then judges the person's deeds and sends him to Swarga Lok or called heaven or “Naraka Lok” called hell.
However, the person who performs the Nirjala Ekadasi ritual is believed to be freed from Yama's judgment and after the death. After death of the devotee, only Vishnu's messengers will take him to the Vaikuntha Dham (वैकुंठ धाम) where Lord Vishnu resides.
When is Nirjala Ekadashi in 2026?
Nirjala Ekadashi falls on the date of 25 June 2026, Thursday
Frequent Asked Questions(FAQs)
According to the Hindu calendar, Ekadashi occurs twice every month, marking the 11th lunar day of both the “Shukla Paksha” (waxing phase) and the “Krishna Paksha” (waning phase) as per Moon’s transition. It is a sacred day dedicated to Lord Vishnu. On thi
Observing the Ekadashi fast leads to mental purification, the eradication of sins both known and unknown and, ultimately, the attainment of salvation.
One should wake up early in the morning, perform one's cleansings, and wear clean clothes. Thereafter, one should worship Lord Lakshmi Narayan using incense, lamps, flowers, food offerings (Naivedya), and other ritual items. There are three prescribed
One should wake up early in the morning, perform one's cleansings, and wear clean clothes. Thereafter, one should worship Lord Lakshmi Narayan using incense, lamps, flowers, food offerings (Naivedya), and other ritual items. There are three prescribed methods for observing the Ekadashi fast:
1) Sajala: This entails observing a fast throughout the entire day by consuming only water, and breaking the fast by performing Parana on the following day after sunrise.
2) Safala: This involves a fruit-based diet; one may consume a meal consisting of fruits called Phalahar once, after sunset. The fast is then broken on the following day after sunrise during the Parana period.
3)Nirjala: This involves observing a fast without consuming either water or food; this is considered a very rigorous form of fasting. The fast is subsequently broken on the following day after sunrise during the Parana period.
According to the Hindu calendar, Ekadashi occurs twice every month, marking the 11th lunar day of both the “Shukla Paksha” (waxing phase) and the “Krishna Paksha” (waning phase) as per Moon’s transition. It is a sacred day dedicated to Lord Vishnu. On this day, devotees worship Lord Vishnu by observing a fast, either by abstaining completely from food or by surviving solely on a fruit-based diet. It is believed that observing the Ekadashi fast invokes the divine grace of Lord Vishnu.
Nirjala Ekadashi is observed on the Ekadashi of the “Shukla Paksha” (waxing phase of the moon) during the month of “Jyeshtha Month” to seek the grace of Lord Vishnu and to attain the spiritual merits of all the Ekadashi observed throughout the year. It is considered the most rigorous of fasts, requiring one to abstain completely from both food and water. Subsequently, the fast must be broken the following day during the designated “Parana” period. According to mythological legends, Bhimasena observed this fast; hence, it is also known as 'Bhimseni Ekadashi'.
There is two Ekadashi occur in a month. Thus, the total of 24 Ekadashi come across in 12 months.
Nirjala Ekadashi is the most difficult one. This is because, during all other Ekadashi, you can observe the fast by consuming fruits or drinking water; however, on Nirjala Ekadashi, the fast is observed without consuming any food or water.
There is four most like Ekadashi Nirjala Ekadashi, Amalaki Ekadashi, Devshayani Ekadashi, and Dev Uthani Ekadashi.
Saphala Ekadashi is observed for the sake of success.
If you fall asleep during the day while observing a fast, your fast is considered broken. Whether it is an Ekadashi fast or a Navratri fast.
You may observe it for as many years as you wish. However, according to the “Vishnu Purana”, observing the Ekadashi Fast for at least 11 years is considered meritorious.