Devotees take out procession in Varanasi on 'Nirjala Ekadashi'

Wednesday, June 03, 2009 3:22:00 AM by ANI                                                 By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, June 3 (ANI): The banks of the river Ganga in Varanasi reverberated with Vedic chants as hundreds of devotees gathered for a procession on the occasion of 'Nirjala Ekadashi', one of the toughest fasting days dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver.

The devotees carried 1008 silver and clay urns filled with water from holy rivers in the country, symbolically integrating all the 12 'Jyotirlingas' of the country by conducting the 'Jalabhishek' of Kashi Vishwanath.

The aim of the procession this time was not just religious. The organisers also wanted to raise awareness about the present state of the Ganga.

"The aim is to get the holy water to Kashi, to be submerged in the river Ganga to maintain the sanctity of the river. Ganga is diminishing by the day, and we are also trying to raise awareness regarding the state of the river through this yatra," said Anand Tulasyan, coordinator, Kalash Yatra.

Nirjala refers to 'without water'; hence on this day staunch Vishnu devotees who undertake this fast do not drink water or eat any food for the day.

The fast begins at (Ekadasi) sunrise and at sunrise next day (Dwadasi). (ANI)