Nirjala Ekadashi 2026: Difficult but fruitful! When will the longest Ekadashi fast of the year be observed.

News Topical, Digital Desk : It falls during the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the month of Jyeshtha, hence the name "Nirjala Ekadashi" or "Bhimseni Ekadashi." Of all the 24 Ekadashis of the year, Nirjala Ekadashi is considered the most significant and important. It is believed that fasting on this day bestows the benefits of all 24 Ekadashis of the year. So, let's find out when Nirjala Ekadashi will be celebrated this year.

When will Nirjala Ekadashi fast be observed?

Ekadashi Tithi of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon phase) of Jyeshtha month begins on June 24th at 6:12 PM. This Tithi will end on June 25th at 8:09 PM. In Hinduism, fasts are observed according to the sunrise-widespread date, so due to the Udaya Tithi, the Nirjala Ekadashi fast will be observed on Thursday, June 25th.

Importance of Nirjala Ekadashi

Of all the 24 Ekadashis of the year, Nirjala Ekadashi is considered the most important. Water is not consumed on Bhimseni Ekadashi, hence the name Nirjala Vrat. It is believed that devotees who fast on Nirjala Ekadashi without food or water receive the benefits of all the Ekadashis of the year. Therefore, for those devotees who are unable to fast on all twenty-four Ekadashis of the year, this fast is no less than a boon.

Why is Nirjala Ekadashi celebrated?

Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as 'Pandava Ekadashi' or 'Bhimseni Ekadashi.' There's a fascinating mythological story behind this from the Mahabharata period. According to the story, Bhimasena (Bhima), one of the five Pandavas, was extremely fond of eating and drinking. He found it almost impossible to control his hunger. This is why, while the other Pandavas and Draupadi observed every Ekadashi fast of the year with complete devotion, Bhima, due to his intense hunger, was unable to observe any Ekadashi fast.

Maharishi Vyas told this solution

Bhimasena felt very guilty seeing his family fasting. He felt that by not observing the fast, he was disrespecting Lord Shri Hari. Then he went to Maharishi Ved Vyas to find a solution to this problem. Hearing Bhimasena's problem, Maharishi Ved Vyas said, "O Bhima! If you cannot fast on all the twenty-four Ekadashi fasts throughout the year, then observe only the 'Nirjala Ekadashi' fast that falls in the Shukla Paksha of the month of Jyeshtha. On this day, forget about food, not even a drop of water should be consumed."

If you observe just this one fast with complete devotion, you will get the merit equivalent to observing all the twenty-four Ekadashi fasts of the year." Obeying Maharishi Vyas, Bhimasena completed this extremely difficult Nirjala Ekadashi fast with complete devotion. For this reason, this Ekadashi dedicated to Lord Vishnu is known as 'Bhimseni Ekadashi'.

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