Nirjala Ekadashi 2026: Nirjala Ekadashi fast will be observed on 25th June. Observing Nirjala Ekadashi fast for 24 hours without water in the scorching heat of June and 45 degree mercury is no less than an ordeal.

According to the scriptures, during the Mahabharata period, when Bhimsen was not able to observe all the Ekadashis of the year, then Maharishi Ved Vyas advised him to observe only this one fast with complete rules and said that by this he would get the virtue of fasting for the whole year.

But to keep your faith safe in this deadly sunlight, you will have to follow some very simple religious and scientific rules, so that your fast can be completed comfortably without any disease.

This mistake made the night before the fast will make your throat dry the next day.

The success of this fast starts from the night before i.e. on the night of Dashami. The mistake most of the devotees make is that they drink a lot of water just before the start of the fast, due to which the water gets released from the body in the night itself and one starts feeling thirsty early the next day.

The rule says that on the night of Dashami, you should eat light satvik food instead of heavy food and have coconut water, watermelon or cucumber along with it. These things retain water inside the body for a long time, due to which the throat does not remain dry even in the intense heat of the sun the next day.

Also read- Nirjala Ekadashi 2026: Nirjala Ekadashi date will last for 2 days, on which day to fast and worship? Know the exact date

Why is it prohibited in the scriptures to get angry and spit repeatedly on this day?

According to religious rules, it is mandatory to stay away from salt and spicy food during this fast, which is also very important for your health. If you eat too much spicy or salty food the night before the fast, you will start feeling extremely thirsty the next morning because salt absorbs water from the body.

Along with this, there is a prohibition in the scriptures to get angry and spit repeatedly on this day. The simple reason for this is that getting angry makes the body hot and spitting repeatedly makes the mouth dry, which makes it difficult to tolerate thirst.

When thirst becomes unbearable, try this trick

In the afternoon, when the sun is at its peak and the throat becomes completely dry, then one should take the help of ‘Sheetali Pranayam’ of Ayurveda and Yoga. For this, take out your tongue and bend it round like a pipe and inhale cold air through it, then close your mouth and exhale through the nose.

This small action instantly cools the internal temperature of the body and produces spit (saliva) in the mouth, due to which even without drinking water, the feeling of thirst is quenched to a great extent and the mind remains engaged in worshiping God.

Scientific way to keep the body cool from inside without drinking water

When it is prohibited to swallow water below the throat due to strict rules of fasting, then complete permission is given in the scriptures for external touch of water. In this deadly heat, you can take bath with cold water two-three times a day.

If you are out for work, soak a cotton cloth or bandage in cold water and place it on your forehead, back of the neck and soles of your feet. By keeping these parts of the body cool, the risk of heat stroke is greatly reduced and your fast does not break due to weakness.

Lord Vishnu will be pleased by donating these things on this auspicious day.

On this auspicious day, keep yourself completely calm and avoid going out in the sun or doing heavy work, because due to sweating, all the water in the body will be lost. On this day, wear only loose and light colored cotton clothes so that the body keeps getting air.

The great importance of donating an earthen pot, melon and fan on this day has been mentioned in the scriptures, hence sitting comfortably at home, meditate on the Lord and collect donated things, which will keep your mind engaged and you will not feel the heat.

That thing from the Puranas, which should never be forgotten in times of crisis.

Lastly, the most important thing is that in Sanatan Dharma, ‘life protection’ is considered the biggest religion. If you feel very dizzy in the afternoon or evening, darkness appears in front of your eyes or your heartbeat becomes very fast, then do not forcefully break the fast by risking your life.

In such a situation, ask for forgiveness from God with folded hands and immediately drink lemon water or ORS solution, because it is clearly written in the Puranas that keeping your body safe in times of crisis is the real devotion to God.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What should be done the night before to avoid thirst on Nirjala Ekadashi?
Ans: One night before Nirjala Ekadashi (Dashami night), completely stay away from heavy, oily and excessive salt food. Salt absorbs water from the body, due to which one feels very thirsty the next day. Instead of this, have coconut water, watermelon, cucumber or mint water along with satvik diet in dinner, which keeps the body hydrated for a long time.

Q2. What to do if your throat becomes very dry in the scorching heat during fasting?
Ans: When the throat starts getting dry without water, then take the help of ‘Sheetali Pranayam’ of Yoga and Ayurveda. For this, take out your tongue and bend it round like a pipe and inhale cold air through it and exhale through the nose. This action immediately reduces the internal temperature of the body and produces saliva in the mouth, which quenches thirst.

Q3. Can one take bath repeatedly on Nirjala Ekadashi to keep the body cool?
Ans: Yes, according to both the scriptures and science, under the strict rules of fasting, it is prohibited to swallow water below the throat, but there is complete freedom for external touch of water. To avoid extreme heat and heatstroke, you can take a bath with cold water two-three times a day or place a wet cotton cloth on your forehead, back of the neck and soles of your feet.

Q4. Which things are considered most auspicious to donate on the day of Nirjala Ekadashi?
Ans: Due to the scorching heat of Jyeshtha month, it is a great virtue to donate items that provide coolness on this day. According to the scriptures, Lord Vishnu becomes extremely pleased by donating earthen pitcher (pot), water-filled pot, melon, mango, hand fan, sattu and umbrella on this day.

Q5. If your health starts deteriorating due to extreme heat, can the fast be broken?
Ans: Yes, ‘Prana Raksha’ has been considered the biggest religion in Sanatan Dharma and scriptures. If symptoms of severe dehydration are seen in the afternoon or evening, such as dizziness, darkness before the eyes or rapid heartbeat, then one should immediately break the fast by drinking lemon water or ORS solution while seeking forgiveness from God. It is prohibited in the scriptures to forcibly cause pain to the body in an unhealthy condition.

Also read- Nirjala Ekadashi 2026: What to do on Nirjala Ekadashi to get the virtue of 26 Ekadashis?

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