NIRJALA EKADASHI – The Most Fruitful Amongst all the Ekadashis
Nirjala Ekadashi is considered the most auspicious and fruitful Ekadashi by the deities of Lord Vishnu. Most of the Hindu deities who follow and worship lord Vishnu observe a fast for 24 hours on this day. It is also considered the most difficult among all the 24 Ekadashis. Let us know what the reason behind it is and what is the story behind such an important event in the Hindu calendar.
What is Ekadashi?
What are the different types of Ekadashi?
Putrada Ekadashi:
Putrada, as the name suggests, translates to “givers of sons”. It is celebrated in January on the eleventh day of the Hindu month of Shravana. The fast is observed from the dawn of Ekadashi and ends the next morning. Rice, pulses, garlic, onion and non-veg food items are strictly prohibited on this day. Read more…
Satilla Ekadashi:
Satilla Ekadashi is also known as Tilda Ekadashi, represents sesame seeds(Til). It is believed that offering and receiving sesame seeds and having the dishes made from them makes Lord Vishnu Happy. It is a festival celebrated to promote “anna dana”, which means donating food to the needy. Read more..
Jaya Ekadashi:
The same rules of not having or preparing non-veg food items imply here as well. Along with it, pulses and rice consumption is prohibited, and consumption of “jeera aalu”, chapatis made from royal grain flour(rajgira atta), etc., is promoted among the devotees observing fast. Read more..
Vijaya Ekadashi:
The fast on this day is observed throughout the day, and the devotees worship Lord Vishnu. The devotees during the fast are supposed to avoid lentils, pulses and rice and usually consume sabudana khichdi and sabudana vada seasoned with rock salt. Read more
Amalaki Ekadashi:
Amalaki means gooseberry(amla), and as it is considered to be the dearest to Lord Vishnu, the Gooseberry tree is worshipped on this day, and the dishes made from it are only consumed, avoiding consumption of grains and legumes.
Papmokshani Ekadashi:
Papmokshani Ekadashi, as the name suggests, is related to washing away all sins. Devotees observe a whole day of fasting on this day, consuming til laddu, kheer, khichdi, etc. and avoid eating any cooked or semi-cooked food items.
Kamada Ekadashi:
This Ekadashi, as the name suggests, is celebrated to worship Lord Vishnu and get free from all the curses one suffers from. The devotees observe fast consuming dairy products along with dry fruits and fruits promoting satvik bhojan and avoiding meals.
Varuthini Ekadashi:
The fasting on this day is considered equal to being in penance for ten thousand years. Fast starts from the dawn of Ekadashi and continues till the next morning, which is broken after offering food to brahmans.
Gauna Mohini Ekadashi:
Devotees observe 24 hours of fast to please Lord Vishnu. One meal is allowed, and fast is ended by consuming fruits with milk. Tamasic ingredients such as garlic and onion are avoided.
Apara Ekadashi:
Offering the bhog along with tulsi leaving is extremely important during the worship of Lord Vishnu on this day. The fast is observed till the next morning, consuming dairy products, fruits, dry fruits and vegetables and avoiding tamasic bhojan.
Yogini Ekadashi:
On this day, fast is observed by consuming saltless food from one day before the Ekadashi and Barley, moong dal and wheat are avoided to be consumed continuing the fast till the next morning.
Padma/Devashayani Ekadashi:
This day marks the commencement of the Chaturmaas period(the holy four months), during which no auspicious works are organised.
Kamika Ekadashi:
This Ekadashi occurs during the Chaturmaas period, and the devotees observe a whole day fast on this day offering milk fruits and sesame seeds along with flowers to Lord and worshipping him offering panchamrat as a bhog(offering).
Aja Ekadashi:
Aja Ekadashi is known to destroy all our sins and misdeeds. People observe a fast for a day, avoiding gram seeds, pulses and honey. Offering tulsi seeds and leaves while worshipping is considered important. Read more
Parivartini/Vamana/Parsva Ekadashi:
Worshipping Lord Vishnu on this day pleases Goddess Laxmi, free devotees from all their sins. The devotees observing fast should stop consuming anything from the day of Dashami itself and continue till the next evening until worshipping the lord. Read more…
Indira Ekadashi:
This Ekadashi is to provide salvation to the forefathers or ancestors. People observe a fast by consuming no meals and following it from one day prior to Ekadashi. Lord Shaligram is worshipped on this day. Read more..
Padmini Ekadashi:
The devotees observe a strict fast avoiding tamasic food and consuming only dairy products and fruits (if non-tolerable). Fasting purifies their soul, body and mind.
Parama Ekadashi:
This is for the devotees who want to attain the realm of God. For those unable to control hunger, the same dairy products with fruits except tamasic food is an option. It is 24 hours fast, which is observed by them depending only on water.
Papankusha Ekadashi:
The fast on this day is observed from the Dashami itself and continues till Dwadashi. People consume only fruit juices, milk and water in order to avoid hardly digestible food items. Read more…
Rama Ekadashi:
On this day, turmeric is applied to the basil leaves and offered to Lord Vishnu. People observe complete dry fasting on this day(except in exceptional cases).
Devauthni Ekadashi:
It is believed that Lord Vishnu, the creator of this earth, wakes up from his sleep during the Chaturmas, and all the auspicious activities are therefore allowed to function from this day. Devotees observe a fast from Dashami to Dwadashi. Read more…
Utapanna Ekadashi:
According to certain religious beliefs, the devotees who observe a fast on this day get the shelter of Lord Vishnu after his death, and the importance of inviting married women and offering fruits to them is at another level. Also, kheer is prepared as a prasad(offering). Read more…
Mokshada Ekadashi:
Like other Ekadashis, Mokshada Ekadashi is also celebrated by observing a strict fast from midday of the same day till the next day by the devotees. Read more..
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