Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat 2020
Nirjala Ekadashi is observed on the ekadashi tithi of shukla paksha of Jyestha maas.The vrat is on June 02,2020, Tuesday.
The word ‘nir-jala’ means ‘without water’ and therefore the fasting on this ekadashi is observed without drinking water and eating food. Nirjala Ekadashi is the toughest and most sacred of all ekadashis and completion of this vrat with utmost devotion and austerity is equivalent to observing all other ekadashi vrats during the year and also the most rewarding.
Mangoes / Keri is offered to Shri Thakurji in Bhog Samagri.
Rituals of Nirjala Ekadashi:
As the name suggests, the Nirjala Ekadashi fast should be observed without drinking even a drop of water. Hence this vrat is most strict and sacred. Also as this fast falls during the summer season, abstaining from food completely is not an easy task. The Nirjala Ekadashi fast lasts for 24 hours, starting from sunrise of the ekadashi tithi to the sunrise of the dwadashi tithi. People with any form of ailments or those under medication are advised not to observe Nirjala Ekadashi fasting. For such devotees, partial fasting is approved, as devotion to the Lord is more essential than the strict fasting rules.
The Nirjala Ekadashi vrat starts with ‘Sandhyavandanam’, a ritual that is practiced on the 10th day. Later after finishing this prayer, the observer eats one meal before sunset. The fast then continues all throughout the Nirjala Ekadashi day. Fasting is concluded on the 12th day after worshiping Lord Vishnu and offering food to Brahmins.
On the Nirjala Ekadashi day, Lord Vishnu is worshipped with full dedication. Devotees offer Tulsi leaves, flower, fruits and mouth-watering sweets to their lord. The idol of Lord Vishnu is beautifully adorned and worshipped in the evening with dhoop and incense sticks. The observer of the Nirjala Ekadashi vrat should stay awake all night and therefore they visit Lord Vishnu temples to participate in the bhajans and kirtans, organized for this occasion.
Reading ‘Vishnu Sahastranaam’ and other Vedic mantras dedicated to Lord Vishnu is considered auspicious on this day. On Nirjala Ekadashi it is a good act to donate clothes, food, water and other essentials to the poor and needy.
Significance of Nirjala Ekadashi:
The Nirjala Ekadashi is one of the most rewarding ekadashi observances of the Hindus. This ekadashi is highly pious and grants prosperity, bliss, longevity and salvation. The importance of Nirjala Ekadashi was explained by the great saint ‘Vyas’. It is believed that Nirjala Ekadashi vrat offer the combined virtues of the other ekadashis to its observer. For this reason devotees who cannot observe all the remaining 23 ekadashis in a year, should keep the Nirjala Ekadashi fast to get all the benefits together. It is more sacred than visiting pilgrimage places. Nirjala Ekadashi occurs before monsoons and therefore assists in purifying the body. It is also a popular belief that the observer of the Nirjala Ekadashi vrat, after death, is straight away taken to ‘Vaikunta’, which is the abode of Lord Vishnu