🌿 Nirjala Pandava Ekadashi 2025 – The Most Powerful Fast for Devotion and Liberation | Nandgram Dham (ISKCON)
Date to Observe: Saturday, June 7, 2025
Parana (fast-breaking time): Sunday, June 8, 2025, after 5:24 AM (local timings may vary)
✨ What Makes Nirjala Ekadashi So Special?
Among the 24 sacred Ekadashis celebrated by devotees of Lord Vishnu throughout the year, Nirjala Ekadashi is the most intense and spiritually potent. Falling in the scorching month of Jyeshtha (May-June), this Ekadashi is unique: it requires complete fasting — without food, without water (Nir-jal) for 24 hours.
This year, Vaishnava devotees across the world, including those at Nandgram Dham (ISKCON), will observe Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi on June 7, 2025 — with immense faith, surrender, and love for Lord Krishna.
🔱 Why is it Called “Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi”?
The story traces back to the Mahabharata, where Bhimasena, the mighty son of Vayu (wind god), expressed his inability to fast on every Ekadashi like his brothers and mother Kunti. He loved food and couldn't control his hunger.
Seeing Bhima’s sincere desire to still please Lord Vishnu, Srila Vyasadeva instructed him to observe just one Ekadashi in the year — the Nirjala Ekadashi — and promised that it would grant the benefits of all 24 Ekadashis combined.
With deep determination, Bhima accepted this challenge and fasted without water, offering his complete surrender to the Lord. Since then, this Ekadashi is revered as Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi.
🕉️ Date, Time & Parana Details for 2025 ISKCON Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi
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Ekadashi Tithi Begins: June 6, 2025 at 2:15 AM
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Ekadashi Tithi Ends: June 7, 2025 at 4:47 AM
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Fasting Day (Observed by Vaishnavas): June 7, 2025 (Saturday)
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Parana (Breaking the fast): June 8, 2025 (Sunday)
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Best time: After 5:24 AM, before the end of Dwadashi
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Fast should be broken after offering bhoga to the Lord and feeding devotees or Brahmanas.
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🌺 How to Observe Nirjala Ekadashi Fasting Properly?
This Ekadashi is a spiritual tapasya. Here's how you can follow it sincerely:
1. Dashami (June 6, 2025) – The Day Before
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Eat only sattvic food, completely avoiding grains, pulses, onion, garlic, and spicy items.
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Finish your meal before sunset.
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Mentally prepare yourself for the next day’s nirjala fast.
2. Ekadashi Day (June 7, 2025)
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Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta (4–6 AM).
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Bathe, wear clean clothes, and chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare -
Visit your nearest ISKCON temple or join online kirtan programs.
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Spend the day in japa, kirtan, reading Bhagavad-gita or Srimad Bhagavatam, and remembering the Lord.
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No eating. No drinking. Just devotion.
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Offer flowers, incense, ghee lamp, and heartfelt prayers to Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna.
3. Dwadashi Day (June 8, 2025) – Parana Time
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Break your fast after sunrise during the Parana muhurta.
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First, offer food to the Lord, then share prasadam with devotees or Brahmanas, and only then eat.
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Start with water or fruits, followed by Krishna prasadam.
🙏 What if You’re Unable to Do a Full Nirjala Fast?
While this fast is ideal, the Lord values intention over intensity.
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If you are ill, elderly, or pregnant, you can:
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Take minimal water and fruits.
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Chant more rounds, hear more about Krishna, and express your heart.
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Ask the Lord for forgiveness — He accepts love more than performance.
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🌸 Nirjala Ekadashi Celebrations at Nandgram Dham (ISKCON)
At Nandgram Dham ISKCON, Nirjala Ekadashi is observed with deep reverence and joyful devotion:
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Mangala Aarti begins at 4:30 AM, followed by Tulasi Puja.
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Harinam Sankirtan echoes through the Dham throughout the day.
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Special Bhagavad-gita and Ekadashi Katha sessions illuminate the significance of fasting and the glories of Bhimasena’s devotion.
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In the evening, offering of 56 Bhoga items to the Lord is made with deep prayers.
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The temple hosts free prasadam distribution on Dwadashi morning for all devotees.
Join us in person or online for a full day of spiritual purification and devotional joy!
🔎 Frequently Asked Questions
ℹ️ How many Nirjala Ekadashis are there in a year?
Only one, observed in the Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month (May–June).
ℹ️ What is the benefit of Nirjala Ekadashi?
It grants the benefits of all 24 Ekadashis, and can free one from lifetimes of sinful reactions, bringing one closer to Krishna consciousness.
ℹ️ Can I sleep on Nirjala Ekadashi?
It’s advised to stay awake and engage in devotional practices. However, a short nap is acceptable if you're genuinely tired, especially after chanting.
🌈 The Real Essence of Nirjala Ekadashi
Fasting from food and water is external — the real fast is to abstain from worldly thoughts and immerse your consciousness in the holy names of Krishna.
Even if you fast for a day, but serve with love, chant sincerely, and remember Krishna — your effort is complete in His eyes.
🌿 Final Words from Nandgram Dham (ISKCON)
On June 7, 2025, as thousands of Vaishnavas across the world come together in fasting, let us offer our body, mind, and words to Krishna.
Whether you’re in Vrindavan, Nandgram, or anywhere in the world, this is your day to please the Supreme Lord — not by strength, but by surrender.
“One who observes this Ekadashi with full devotion receives the benefit of all other Ekadashis and attains the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu.”
– Padma Purana
Wishing you a blissful and spiritually uplifting Nirjala Ekadashi!
