Nirjala Ekadashi 2025: The power of Nirjala Ekadashi, vrat katha, significance, rituals, and more

Ekadashi, or ‘11th day’ is a day observed by Hindus around the world, especially those who follow the Vaishnava tradition. It is the eleventh day of each lunar fortnight, and there are 2 Ekadashis every month. For Hindus, these days are extremely spiritual and auspicious, and they fast, worship, visit temples, and the likes on this day.
It is said that the day of Ekadashi is extremely powerful for transformation and helps purify the mind and body. It is also said that keeping a fast on Ekadashi can wash away sins, discipline the mind, and deepen your connect with Lord Vishnu and his energies.

As there are 2 Ekadashi days every month, the total comes to around 24 Ekadashi in an year. But sometimes, the number increases, and there are up to 26 in a month. And each Ekadashi has its own importance and significance.
For example, there is Mohini Ekadashi, Nirjala Ekadashi, Devshayani Ekadashi, Papmochani Ekadashi, and more.

Nirjala Ekadashi is often referred to as the most rewarding Ekadashi in a year, and it is said that Nirjala Ekadashi is the only Ekadashi that can give people the benefits of all 24 Ekadashi of the year.
The word Nirjala means ‘without water’, and so devotees fast on this day and leave not just food, but also water in any form. If someone cannot take up fasting without water, they choose to only have Sattvic and light foods that do not cloud their senses or make them feel lethargic.

In 2025, Nirjala Ekadashi will be observed on Friday, June 6.
According to Drik Panchang ‘Nirjala Ekadashi - Friday, June 6, 2025On 7th June, Parana (breaking the fast) time -From 01:44 PM 04:31 PMTime of end of Hari Vasara on Parana Tithi -11:25 A.M.Ekadashi date starts -June 06, 2025 at 02:15 AMEkadashi date ends -June 07, 2025 at 04:47 AM
Vaishnav Nirjala Ekadashi - Saturday, June 7, 2025’

One of the most common ways in which people observe Nirjala Ekadashi is by fasting, and not just abstaining from food, but also water. People follow strict discipline and spend their day in worship, dhyaan, and silence, to preserve their energy and deepen their spiritual power. The fast starts at sunrise and continues until the next day, and many devotees stay awake through the night, doing prayers, chanting, or listening to religious stories.

The story of Nirjala Ekadashi is one of the most famous ones and involves the Pandavas. It is believed that Bhim, the mighty Pandava, wanted to keep a fast but couldn’t because of his appetite. He loved food and found it very difficult to fast, even on Ekadashi. While the rest of his family observed every Ekadashi with devotion, Bhim could not bear the idea of staying hungry, let alone thirsty.
But when he felt left out and guilty, he approached a sage to share his sadness about it. And then it was advised to Bhim that he should observe just one Ekadashi fast in a year, the Nirjala Ekadashi, as it has the power, merit, and blessings, of all 24 Ekadashis.

On Nirjala Ekadashi day, devotees begin by taking a bath early in the Brahma Muhurat, and add some Gangajal to their water to purify themselves. Then they take a vow to observe the fast with devotion and prepare themselves for a day of no food and water.
After taking the bath, start the worship in the home temple. Clean the mandir, wash the idols, offer flowers and fruits to Lord Vishnu, and more. Then, people sit down to chant the Vishnu Sahasranama or another powerful mantra of Lord Vishnu.

An advice that elders and many priests give to people who are keeping the Nirjala Ekadashi fast is to stay in ‘maun’ through the day. Maun, or silence, is appreciated on Nirjala ekadashi because it helps people conserve their energy, not speaking makes them less thirsty, and it reduces distractions so that the person can focus themselves on devotion.