Bhim Ekadashi is an important
Hindu ritual. It is observed on the 11th day of the Hindu month of Jyeshta (May-June).
This day marks an important event in Hindu mythology. The Pandavas, the principal characters in the epic Mahabharata, were once forced to live an exiled life in a forest. During the stay in the forest, they opted for observing a fast on the auspicious event of Ekadashi, which is the 11th day of a Hindu month.
However, Bhim who was a glutton could not observe the fast. Sage Veda Vyasa therefore suggested him to observe a nirjala (waterless) fast instead. Bhim observed the fast accordingly.
This particular incident is observed every year, mostly in the rural regions. People follow in the footsteps of Bhim by observing a waterless fast on this day. It is said that a person abstaining from water on this day will gain benefits similar to that obtained after observing fast on all the ekadashis of the year.
