Amalaki Ekadashi, observed on the 11th day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna (February-March), pays homage to the revered Amalaki tree, known as the Indian gooseberry. This sacred day holds significance as devotees believe that Lord Vishnu resides within the divine Amalaki tree, making it a focal point for seeking divine blessings. Through rituals and worship, devotees express reverence for nature’s bounty and seek prosperity, good health, and spiritual enlightenment.

Additionally, Amalaki Ekadashi marks the onset of the vibrant Holi festival, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring. As devotees engage in prayers, offerings, and festivities, they celebrate the joyous spirit of Holi, spreading love, happiness, and colorful festivities. This sacred occasion underscores the importance of spiritual devotion, gratitude for nature’s gifts, and the celebration of unity and harmony within the community.

Legend

Once upon a time, there was a noble king named Chitrasena who ruled over a kingdom. He and his people observed a sacred ritual called Amalaki Ekadashi. Legend has it that during one of his hunting expeditions, King Chitrasena lost his way in the dense forest and found himself surrounded by fierce demons, who attacked him with their weapons. However, despite their efforts, the king remained unharmed physically, though he fell unconscious as the demons closed in on him.

In a remarkable turn of events, a divine light emerged from King Chitrasena’s body, swiftly annihilating his attackers before disappearing just as quickly as it had appeared. When the king regained consciousness, he was astonished to find all his assailants lying dead around him. A celestial voice, known as Akasavani, proclaimed that this miraculous salvation was a direct result of observing the Ekadashi vow.

News of this extraordinary event spread throughout the kingdom, leading to widespread reverence for the Amalaki Ekadashi ritual. The people embraced this sacred observance, which brought about a newfound era of peace and harmony in the realm.

A similar tale is recounted in the Brahmanda Purana by the revered sage Vasishtha, albeit with a few variations. In this version, King Chaitraratha of Vaidisa and his subjects were bestowed with prosperity through their devoted worship of Lord Vishnu. On the auspicious day of Amalaki Ekadashi, King Chaitraratha and his people gathered near a Vishnu temple situated on the banks of a river, where they offered their prayers to Vishnu and the sacred Amalaki tree. They also paid homage to Parashurama, the sage-incarnation of Vishnu.

Throughout the night, they sang devotional songs, or bhajans, expressing their love and reverence for Vishnu. Among the devotees was a hungry hunter who, despite his dire circumstances, joined in the observance of the Amalaki Ekadashi vow with pure devotion.

As a divine reward for his unwavering faith, the hunter was reborn as King Vasuratha in his next life. Like King Chitrasena before him, King Vasuratha experienced a similar encounter with demons, but he was ultimately protected and saved due to the merits of his previous life’s observance of the Ekadashi vow.

The moral of these tales emphasizes the profound significance of observing the Amalaki Ekadashi vow with pure devotion and selflessness, as it invites the grace and blessings of Lord Vishnu not only in this life but also in the lives to come.

Significance

Tree worship is deeply rooted in Hinduism, where it is believed that Brahman, the Ultimate Reality, permeates everything. One tree held in particular reverence is the amla tree, associated with the deity Vishnu. It is said that Vishnu, along with his consort Lakshmi, resides in and around the amla tree, especially during Amalaki Ekadashi. Additionally, Vishnu’s avatar Krishna and his beloved Radha are believed to be near the tree. This reverence extends beyond the divine presence, as the amla tree is valued for its medicinal properties in Ayurvedic medicine. Its high vitamin C content in the fresh fruit makes it a key ingredient in various medicinal preparations. Thus, the veneration of the amla tree encompasses both spiritual and practical dimensions within Hindu tradition.

Rituals

On the day of Amalaki Ekadashi, those observing the vrata must start their day with a ceremonial bath. This ritual is followed by devotees or priests bathing the Amalaki tree with water and performing puja to worship it. Throughout the day, devotees fast and make offerings to Brahmin priests, praying for prosperity, wealth, and good health. It’s also customary to listen to the vrata katha of Amalaki Ekadashi and offer food and charity to the needy. This act of charity is considered highly virtuous, akin to performing a vajapeya, a somayajna sacrifice.

While the festivities of Holi technically commence on Vasant Panchami, the real celebration kicks off on Amalaki Ekadashi. This day marks the beginning of the peak of Holi, which reaches its climax four lunar days later on the full moon. It’s from Amalaki Ekadashi that people start engaging in playful color throwing and other joyous activities associated with Holi.