KARIMNAGAR, JUNE 17, 2024: Nirjala Ekadasi, an important Hindu festival, was celebrated with religious fervour by offering prayers to Lord Vishnu and show gratitude to God at Mayuragiri peetam Sri Nilayam at Tirumala nagar in Karimnagar town on Monday.
Nirjala Ekadashi is considered the most austere and rigorous among all Ekadashi fasts because it requires total fasting without even drinking water (nirjala means without water). It is believed that observing this fast is equivalent to observing all 24 Ekadashis throughout the year.
According to the Drik Panchang, the Ekadashi date of Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month is starting on June 17 at 04:42 am, which will end on June 18 at 06:23 am. In such a situation, on the basis of Udaya Tithi, Nirjala Ekadashi fast will be observed on June 18 2024.
Under the supervision of Jyothisya vasthu pandi Namilikonda Ramana Chary, the temple priests have performed special abhishekams, homams and mass Vishnu sahasranama parayanam, Hanuman chalias and other puja rituals. The pandits Ramakrishnama Charyulu, Ramesh Swamy and others were also present.
The main observance of Nirjala Ekadashi is the strict fast from sunrise on Ekadashi day to sunrise on the following day (Dwadashi). This includes abstaining from food and water for the entire duration of 24 hours. Prayers and Mantras: Devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath (snan) in the morning. They then offer prayers to Lord Vishnu and recite Vishnu Sahasranama (thousand names of Lord Vishnu) or other prayers dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Devotees visit Vishnu temples and offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deity. Special bhajans and kirtans dedicated to Lord Vishnu are performed in temples and homes. Giving donations (daan) to the needy, feeding the poor, and performing acts of charity are considered auspicious on Nirjala Ekadashi.
