Which god worship on the occasion of Nirjala Ekadashi?
Hindu Lord Vishnu worship on the occasion of Nirjala Ekadashi.
What are the other names for this puja? (If any)
Bhima Ekadashi , Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi , Pandava Ekadashi and Bhimaseni Ekadashi are the other names for this puja.
History of the above occasion
Origin of this occasion derives from Hindu Epic, Mahabharata. Bhima one of the five Pandavas brothers was a food lover, he did not have any control on the food but he wanted to keep all the fasts of Ekadashi. So, he reached to his grandfather sage Vyasya to figure out the solution of this issue. So, he advised him to keep fast of the Nirjala Ekadashi for once in a year and not of all the 24 Ekadashi but it must be an absolute fast, i.e. fast without water. So, Bhima done the same and this puja gets started.
What is the significance of the above occasion?
Nirjala Ekadashi has a great significance in our lives as if people worship Lord Vishnu with full devotion and observe absolute fast without water on this day, it is said that it is equivalent to go on a pilgrimage. If any bad or wrong work done by us, then it washed away. It also helps us in cleansing our body. It also helps people in gaining prosperity, health, wealth, longevity, happiness and salvation. Thus, this puja has a great significance in our lives.
What are the things or material required for the worship of this puja?
Idol of Lord Vishnu, Diya, camphor, curd, milk, ghee, sugar and honey ,a bowl full of water, flowers, fruits, tulsi leaves, new dress, hand fan, story book of Lord Vishnu are the things or material required for the worship of this puja.
What is the vidhi (method) of worship?
To begin the puja, in the evening keep the idol of Lord Vishnu in front of us and make them bath with Panchamrit (a mixture containing five food curd, milk, ghee, sugar and honey). Wash his idol with neat and clean water and then dressed him properly with new dress. Light the diya and camphor. Then offer water, flowers, tulsi leaves, fruits, lamps, incense and hand fan to god. Then people worship him by doing meditation of him or in a simple manner i.e. by doing aarti or simply reading his book of katha.
How to celebrate this occasion?
The occasion is celebrated by performing various rituals. People visit any temple meant for Lord Vishnu and participate in observing kirtans, bhajans etc. Vishnu Sahasranama, Chant bhajans and slokas are also performed which are dedicated to God Vishnu. They keep absolute fast on this day for 24 hrs long without even water also. Some people also distribute food, clothes, hand fans, umbrellas, gold, silver and other necessary things to the poor and needy people.
What are the timings to celebrate this puja or occasion in a year?
According to the Hindu calendar, this puja is done in the Hindu month Jyestha on the 11th Ekadashi of its waxing fortnight.
In which parts of the country, this puja is considered as more important?
All over the country, people believe in the Lord Vishnu thus this puja is considered as important everywhere. There is not a specific state or a part of the country where this puja is considered as more important.