Among all the Ekadashi fasts that fall through the year, Nirjala Ekadashi is regarded as the biggest and the hardest. What sets it apart is that for a full 24 hours, observers consume neither food nor a single drop of water. It is precisely this difficulty that has earned it the title of the king of all vrats in religious belief. This year the fast falls on Thursday, 25 June 2026. If you are planning to keep it for the first time, it is natural to have questions, like how to begin, whether water is truly off limits, and how the fast is broken the next day. Every step is explained below in simple terms so that no doubt remains.
Preparation begins a day earlier
The groundwork for Nirjala Ekadashi actually starts the day before, on the Dashami tithi. On this day, eat only sattvik food. The night of Dashami in particular should be kept completely free of tamasik items such as onion, garlic, meat and liquor. Try to keep the meal light and plain so that the fast is easier to manage the next day.
What to do on the morning of Ekadashi
On the day of the fast, wake up before sunrise and take a bath. If possible, wear yellow clothes after bathing. Then begin the day by offering arghya to the Sun god.
How to take the sankalp
- After bathing, light a ghee lamp before the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu at the place of worship.
- Then, holding a little Gangajal, akshat and flowers in your hand, take the vow of the fast before Lord Vishnu. Express your heartfelt wish to the deity at this moment. Once the sankalp is complete, offer the items held in your hand at the feet of the Lord.
The rule on water and conduct through the day
- Remember that once the sankalp is taken, no water is to be consumed until sunrise the following day.
- During worship, only three rounds of achman are permitted, meaning a token amount of water taken in the palm. Even this water should only reach the throat and not go down to the stomach, which is why achman is done with just a few drops.
- On this day, avoid anger, do not insult anyone and stay away from lying. Keep silently chanting the Vishnu mantra 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' throughout the day.
Evening worship and the night vigil
- In the evening, worship Lord Vishnu with full ritual and listen to the Nirjala Ekadashi katha.
- After the katha, perform the aarti and offer bhog to the Lord.
- If you wish, you may also recite the Vishnu Chalisa or the Vishnu Sahasranama on this occasion.
- Staying awake at night for devotion holds special importance in this fast. If possible, spend the whole night in bhajan and kirtan or read religious books.
The paran ritual and auspicious timing the next day
- The fast should be broken only during an auspicious muhurat on the following day.
- On 26 June 2026, the auspicious window for the Ekadashi vrat paran will be between 05:25 and 08:13 in the morning.
- Before the paran, bathe and worship Lord Vishnu with full ritual.
- After this, donate a pot filled with water, grains, seasonal fruits, a hand fan and dakshina to a Brahmin or a needy person.
- Only after making the donation should you break your fast.
