Nirjala Ekadashi vrat vidhi in English, Nirjala Ekadashi Puja Vidhi - Nirjala Ekadashi is one of the most sacred and challenging fasts in Hindu tradition, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Nirjala Ekadashi vrat vidhi in English - Complete Step-by-Step Guide
We will now discuss Complete Step-by-Step Nirjala Ekadashi vrat vidhi in English.
This waterless fast is considered equivalent to observing all 24 Ekadashi fasts throughout the year. Here's your complete guide to performing the puja with proper rituals and devotion.
Required Items (Puja Samagri)
Before starting the puja, gather these essential items:
For the Altar:
- Lord Vishnu or Krishna idol/picture, Clean yellow or white cloth for covering
- Small brass or copper plate (thali), Small bowls for offerings
- Incense sticks (agarbatti), Oil lamp or diya with cotton wicks, Camphor (kapoor), Bell (ghanti)
Offering Items:
- Fresh flowers (especially lotus, marigold, tulsi leaves), Fruits (bananas, apples, pomegranates)
- Akshat (unbroken rice grains), Sandalwood paste (chandan), Kumkum and turmeric powder
- Durva grass (if available), Sweets like laddu, pedha, or kheer, Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar mixed), Holy water (Ganga jal) or clean water
For Donation:
- Water pitcher, Small hand fan, Cloth pieces, Food grains
- Small coins or money for charity
Nirjala Ekadashi vrat vidhi in English | Step-by-Step Puja Procedure
Step 1: Early Morning Preparation
Begin your day before sunrise with purification rituals.
- Take a holy bath using clean water
- Wear fresh, clean clothes (preferably yellow, white, or saffron colored)
- Sprinkle Ganga jal on yourself for spiritual purification
- Face east or north direction during the entire puja
Step 2: Setting Up the Sacred Space
Create a clean and peaceful environment for worship.
- Clean the puja area thoroughly
- Spread a clean cloth on the altar
- Place Lord Vishnu's idol or picture in the center
- Arrange all puja items systematically around the deity
- Light the oil lamp and keep it burning throughout the puja
Step 3: Invoking Lord Ganesha
Start with prayers to remove obstacles from your worship.
Ganesha Mantra:
"Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha"
Chant this 11 times while offering a flower to Lord Ganesha's picture or mentally invoking him.
Step 4: Sun Worship (Surya Arghya)
Offer water to the Sun God as part of the morning ritual.
- Fill a copper vessel or brass lota with clean water
- Face the sun and slowly pour water while chanting:
Surya Mantra:
"Om Suryaya Namaha Om Adityaya Namaha Om Sahasramsho Namaha"
Step 5: Main Lord Vishnu Worship
Invocation Prayer: Begin by invoking Lord Vishnu's presence:
"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Krishnaya Govindaya Gopijana Vallabhaya Namaha"
Detailed Worship Steps:
- Dhyana (Meditation): Sit quietly and meditate on Lord Vishnu's form for 2-3 minutes
Panchamrit Abhishek: If you have an idol, gently pour panchamrit over it while chanting:
"Om Keshavaya Namaha"Water Abhishek: Clean the idol with pure water chanting:
"Om Madhavaya Namaha"Offering Clothes: Place a small piece of new cloth near the deity:
"Om Govindaya Namaha"Sandalwood Paste: Apply chandan to the forehead of the deity:
"Om Vishnave Namaha"Flower Offering: Offer fresh flowers one by one with these mantras:
"Om Madhusudanaya Namaha" "Om Trivikramaya Namaha" "Om Vamanaya Namaha" "Om Shridharaya Namaha"Tulsi Leaves: If available, offer tulsi leaves (very auspicious):
"Om Hrishikeshaya Namaha"Incense: Light incense sticks and wave them in circular motions:
"Om Padmanabhaya Namaha"Lamp Offering: Wave the oil lamp (aarti) before the deity:
"Om Damodaraya Namaha"
Step 6: Main Nirjala Ekadashi Mantra
The most powerful mantra for this day - chant 108 times if possible:
"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
Alternative powerful mantras:
"Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare" "Om Shri Krishnaya Vasudevaya Haraye Paramatmane Pranatakleshanashaya Govindaya Namo Namaha"
Step 7: Food Offerings (Bhog)
Present the prepared sweets and fruits to Lord Vishnu.
- Arrange sweets and fruits on a clean plate
- Offer them while chanting:
"Naivedyam Samarpayami" - Sprinkle some water around the offerings for purification
Step 8: Aarti Performance
Perform the final aarti with devotion and joy.
Light camphor in a small plate and wave it before the deity while singing traditional aarti songs or chanting:
"Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari Ki"
Ring the bell continuously during aarti to create sacred vibrations.
Step 9: Reading Vrat Katha
Recite or listen to the Nirjala Ekadashi story (particularly the story of Bhima and sage Vyasa who explained this fast's importance).
Step 10: Final Prayers and Prasad Distribution
Conclude your puja with gratitude and sharing.
Final Prayer:
"Kayena Vacha Manasendriyairva Buddhyatmana Va Prakriter Svabhavat Karomi Yadyat Sakalam Parasmai Narayanayeti Samarpayami"
Translation: Whatever I do with my body, speech, mind, senses, intellect or soul, I offer everything to Lord Narayana.
Forgiveness Prayer:
"Aparadha Sahasrani Kriyantahani Divase Tani Sarvani Me Deva Prasida Purushottama"
Distribute the prasad to family members and neighbors.
Important Guidelines for the Fast
Fasting Rules:
- Complete abstinence from food and water from sunrise on Ekadashi to sunrise the next day
- No sleeping during the day
- Continuous remembrance of Lord Vishnu through mantras and prayers
- Avoid negative thoughts and actions
Breaking the Fast (Parana):
- Break the fast only after sunrise on the 12th day (Dwadashi)
- First drink water mixed with tulsi leaves
- Then consume light food like fruits or khichdi
- The parana time window is usually between 6:00 AM to 8:30 AM on Dwadashi
Charity (Daan): As per tradition, donate the following items:
- Water pitchers to the needy
- Hand fans for summer relief
- Food grains to poor families
- Clothes to the underprivileged
- Money for temple maintenance
Spiritual Benefits
Observing Nirjala Ekadashi with complete devotion brings:
- Purification of all sins
- Benefits equivalent to all 24 Ekadashi fasts
- Spiritual liberation and progress
- Fulfillment of righteous desires
- Peace and prosperity in life
- Divine blessings of Lord Vishnu
Special Notes
- If you're unable to observe complete waterless fast due to health conditions, consult with knowledgeable elders or priests
- Pregnant women, children, elderly, and sick people may modify the fast as per their capacity
- The mental devotion and spiritual intention matter more than rigid physical observance
- Maintain cleanliness, positive thoughts, and devotional attitude throughout the day
Remember, Nirjala Ekadashi is not just about physical fasting but about spiritual elevation through devotion, self-discipline, and surrender to the Divine. May Lord Vishnu bless you with strength, devotion, and spiritual progress.
