Nirjala Ekadashi: dates, muhurat and meaning.

What is Nirjala Ekadashi?

Ekadashi is the eleventh tithi of each fortnight of the lunar month, so it comes twice a month — once in the waxing (shukla) and once in the waning (krishna) half. Each carries its own name and story, and Nirjala Ekadashi is one of the twenty-four that fill the year.

The observance is a fast: grains and beans are avoided, the day is given to Vishnu worship, and the fast is broken (parana) on the next morning within its prescribed window. Smarthas and Vaishnavas sometimes observe on consecutive days when the tithi spans two sunrises — which is why the panchang can list the same Ekadashi twice.

Muhurat on Nirjala Ekadashi

Ekadashi is a day of restraint rather than new undertakings. If you must act on it, the Abhijit Muhurat window listed above is the universally auspicious midday window; avoid the day's Rahu Kaal. For major beginnings, pick a date from the muhurat lists instead.