Nirjala Ekadashi 2027: date, parana time, story and significance
By Kulasekhar Mittapalli · Updated
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Nirjala Ekadashi falls on Monday, June 14, 2027 in India and on the same day in the US. The fast is broken the next morning: Hyderabad Tue, Jun 15, 8:14 AM – 8:19 AM; Dallas Tue, Jun 15, 6:18 AM – 9:10 AM. It is the Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi, dedicated to Trivikrama.
Also called: Bhima or Pandava Ekadashi.
1The story
Bhima, the strongest of the Pandavas, could not bear hunger and so could not keep the Ekadashi fasts that his brothers and Draupadi kept. He asked Vyasa for a way. Vyasa told him to keep just one fast a year, on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi, without even water from sunrise to the next sunrise, and promised it would give the merit of all twenty-four Ekadashis.
From the Ekadashi Mahatmya (Padma and Bhavishyottara Puranas), as Sri Krishna told it to Yudhishthira.
2How to keep the fast
- Dashami (the day before): one simple meal, no rice in the evening.
- Ekadashi: fast as your health allows: without water (nirjala), with fruit and milk (phalahara), or one meal without grains. Rice, wheat, pulses and beans are avoided by all.
- Worship: Vishnu puja with tulasi leaves, a lamp, and the Vishnu Sahasranama or the story of the day.
- Night: many keep jagarana, staying awake with bhajans and readings.
- Dwadashi: break the fast in the parana window shown above, after the Hari Vasara (the first quarter of Dwadashi) has ended, ideally with tulasi water and a little rice.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women and anyone who is unwell or on medication should keep a light fast, or simply avoid grains. Ask your priest and doctor.
3Checklist: what you need
8 items
- Vishnu or Venkateswara picture
- Tulasi leaves (picked the day before; not on Ekadashi)
- Yellow or white flowers, sandalwood, akshata
- Ghee lamp and agarbatti
- Fruits, milk and (if you take them) fasting foods without grains
- Vishnu Sahasranamam book or app
- Ekadashi katha for this Ekadashi (section 1 above)
- For Dwadashi parana: a simple rice dish, and the parana time for your city
4A priest, or do it yourself
5Puja items near you
Indian groceries and puja stores near the city you picked above.
6Nirjala Ekadashi 2027 by city
| City | Fast · parana |
|---|---|
| Hyderabad | Mon, Jun 14 Parana Tue, Jun 15, 8:14 AM – 8:19 AM |
| Bengaluru | Mon, Jun 14 Parana Tue, Jun 15, 8:14 AM – 8:28 AM |
| New York | Mon, Jun 14 Parana Tue, Jun 15, 5:24 AM – 8:25 AM |
| Dallas | Mon, Jun 14 Parana Tue, Jun 15, 6:18 AM – 9:10 AM |
| Bay Area | Mon, Jun 14 Parana Tue, Jun 15, 5:46 AM – 8:43 AM |
| London | Mon, Jun 14 Parana Tue, Jun 15, 4:42 AM – 8:02 AM |
| Singapore | Mon, Jun 14 Parana Tue, Jun 15, 10:44 AM – 7:30 AM |
| Sydney | Mon, Jun 14 · Vaishnava Tue, Jun 15 Parana Tue, Jun 15, 12:44 PM – 10:00 AM |
Next: India Sat, Jun 3, 2028 · US Fri, Jun 2, 2028.
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More about Nirjala Ekadashi
Significance
The strictest Ekadashi: no food and no water (nirjala). Donating water, pots, fans and umbrellas in the summer heat is part of the day. Anyone unwell, pregnant, elderly or on medication should not fast without water: take fruit or water and check with your priest and doctor.
Smarta and Vaishnava dates
If Dashami still runs at arunodaya, 96 minutes before sunrise, Vaishnavas move the fast to the next day. Where the dates differ, the Vaishnava date is shown in the table above. See the Ekadashi guide.
← Apara Ekadashi · All Ekadashis · Yogini Ekadashi →
Frequently asked questions
When is Nirjala Ekadashi in 2027?
Monday, June 14, 2027 in India and Monday, June 14, 2027 in the US (Dallas).
What is the parana time for Nirjala Ekadashi?
Hyderabad: Tue, Jun 15, 8:14 AM – 8:19 AM. Dallas: Tue, Jun 15, 6:18 AM – 9:10 AM. Open the Global Panchang app for your own city.
What is the story of Nirjala Ekadashi?
Bhima, the strongest of the Pandavas, could not bear hunger and so could not keep the Ekadashi fasts that his brothers and Draupadi kept.
Why do Smarta and Vaishnava dates sometimes differ?
If Dashami still runs at arunodaya, 96 minutes before sunrise, Vaishnavas (including ISKCON) move the fast to the next day; Smartas follow the tithi at sunrise.
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Calculated for each city's own sunrise and sunset; times are shown to the minute in local time, including daylight saving. Panchangams can differ by a few minutes, and family and temple traditions vary. For general information only; it may contain errors and is not religious, astrological or medical advice. Always confirm important dates and muhurtams with your priest or temple. See the disclaimer and terms.
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