Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi
Paksa Vardhini Mahadvadasi
Fasting day
From grains and beans, from sunrise
Break the fast ·
5:21 – 10:02 AM
Break the fast after sunrise and before a third of the day has passed.
What is Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi?
Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi comes in the hottest season and is kept without even water. It takes its name from Bhimasena, the Pandava who asked for a single fast to stand for all the others. In 2027 it falls on Tuesday, 15 June, the same day as Paksa Vardhini Mahadvadasi.
Significance
In the Padma Purana, Bhimasena tells Srila Vyasadeva that his brothers, his mother Kunti and Draupadi all keep Ekadashi, but a digestive fire named Vrika burns in his stomach and will not let him fast. Vyasadeva answers with this one day, which he heard of from Lord Kesava Himself. Its reward is stated plainly:
all of the merit achieved by fasting on whatever Ekadasis fall in one year can be attained by fasting on this one Ekadasi (nirjala Ekadasi).
Hari-bhakti-vilasa 15.25, quoting the Padma Purana
How to observe it
Nirjala means without water. The only water traditionally allowed is what has bathed the Deity (caranamrta) and the few sips used in acamana to purify the mouth. As on every Ekadashi, grains and beans are set aside, and the day is given to chanting and hearing about Krishna. In the evening the Lord is worshipped with a bath of milk.
On Dvadasi the instruction is to give brahmanas full pots of water and feed them before breaking the fast. At Kurukshetra the fast is broken on Wednesday, 16 June, between 5:21 AM and 10:02 AM.
Read more: Nirjala Ekadashi
Questions
When is Nirjala Ekadashi in 2027?
Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi falls on Tuesday, 15 June 2027. The Vaishnava calendar marks Paksa Vardhini Mahadvadasi on the same day.
What time should I break the Nirjala Ekadashi fast in Kurukshetra?
Break the fast on Wednesday, 16 June 2027, between 5:21 AM and 10:02 AM at Kurukshetra. The window runs from sunrise to one third of the daylight.
Why is it called Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi?
It is named for Bhimasena, one of the Pandavas, who told Vyasadeva that he could not fast on Ekadashi. Vyasadeva advised him to keep this one nirjala fast, whose merit equals that of all the Ekadashis of the year.
Can I drink water on Nirjala Ekadashi?
Traditionally, no: nirjala means without water, and the fast allows only caranamrta and the water used for acamana. If you are unsure whether you can keep it, ask an experienced devotee before the day.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Fasting day
- Break fast
- · 5:21–10:02 AM
- Also on this day
- Paksa Vardhini Mahadvadasi
- Fast from
- Grains and beans
- Story told by
- Srila Vyasadeva to Bhimasena
Seva for this day
Feed devotees and visitors on this holy day, or begin the Bhagavad-gita course with us.