The foregoing form of Ekathshi with the special name of 'Nirjala Ekathshi' falls in the Hindu month of Jaath, the 11th day of 'Sukul Paksh' and comes some time in June. The origin of the festival can be traced to Bhim, the son of Kunti, who was a great gourmet. He loved food and just could not resist it, and the idea of 'Ekathshi vrat' every fifteen days was absolutely unthinkable. His mentors felt that he should absolve himself of his sins at least once a year, since once in a year it was decreed that it be a total vrat. He had to give up even drinking water on that day. That settled the day for all of us to do likewise in case we want to get rid of a guilty conscience. It is psychologically a very potent idea. Anyway, Nirjala Ekathshi has a social function as well, just like Sankranti. Even if one does not keep the fast, it is a day for showing charity and kindness to the less fortunate. The wise have decided that on this day householders must think of the less fortunate of their brethren, and give in charity those items which are needed badly during the hot summer months.

In the morning, after a bath and cleaning up, the entire household collects in a room (which need not be the puja room). The puja has to be arranged in a covered space which will accommodate the entire family and all the material stuff which is to be given in charity. The day is bound to be hot from the very morning, hence a covered space is necessary. A higher place is prepared for the family deity and Ganeshji. A diya (lamp) is lit; a gugal or agarbatti is also lit. There is no great formal dressing up required on this day; it is a day of meditation. A bath is of course required. As just stated, there is no elaborate dressing up needed for the members of the family; they can wear any clothes that they desire. It is not a festive occasion but a sober one, where one is supposed to think of the poor and the humble.