Amalaki Ekadashi is regarded as one of the most pious and vital Ekadashi among all the 24 Ekadashis that take place in a year. The term Amalaki represents the Indian gooseberry. As per the mythology, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu reside in the tree of gooseberry. Thus, the tree is regarded as highly auspicious. People offer prayers and worship the tree on the eve of Amalaki Ekadashi.
As per the Hindu calendar, Amalaki Ekadashi falls in the month of Phalguna during the Shukla Paksha on the eleventh day. As per the Gregorian calendar, the day falls either in the month of March or February. The festival of Amalaki Ekadashi takes place between Holi and Maha Shivratri.
See Also: Ekadashi Mata Aarti
As per the legend, the story of Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat narrates the importance of observing the fast of Amalaki Ekadashi. As the legend has it, there was a king named Chitrasena who was a firm devotee of Lord Vishnu. He used to observe the fast of Amalaki Ekadashi and thus gained the divine blessings of the deity. Once he went for hunting with his soldiers and there he got caught up by the tribal men. They attacked the king and the soldiers and imprisoned him.
As per their ritual, they decided to give bali (sacrifice) of King’s life to please their deity. At that time, the King lost his conscious and fell down. Suddenly a ray of light appeared from his body and killed all the tribal men. When the king attained consciousness, a divine voice told him that he was saved because of the merits and benefits of observing the fast of Amalaki Ekadashi with full devotion.
Also See: What is The Importance of Amla Navami?
Apart from Amalaki Ekadashi, there are 23 Ekadashi Vrat in a year that fall on Krishna and Shukla Paksha of Hindu Calendar. All these Ekadashi tithi are very significant in Hindu traditions and are popular with various Ekadashi names. Here is the list of Ekadashi Vrat observed throughout the year.
S. N. |
Hindu Month |
Paksha |
Ekadashi Vrat |
1 |
Chaitra |
Krishna Paksha |
|
2 |
Chaitra |
Shukla Paksha |
|
3 |
Vaishakha |
Krishna Paksha |
|
4 |
Vaishakha |
Shukla Paksha |
|
5 |
Jyeshtha |
Krishna Paksha |
|
6 |
Jyeshtha |
Shukla Paksha |
|
7 |
Ashadha |
Krishna Paksha |
|
8 |
Ashadha |
Shukla Paksha |
|
9 |
Shravana |
Krishna Paksha |
|
10 |
Shravana |
Shukla Paksha |
|
11 |
Bhadrapada |
Krishna Paksha |
|
12 |
Bhadrapada |
Shukla Paksha |
|
13 |
Ashwin |
Krishna Paksha |
|
14 |
Ashwin |
Shukla Paksha |
|
15 |
Kartika |
Krishna Paksha |
|
16 |
Kartika |
Shukla Paksha |
|
17 |
Margashirsha |
Krishna Paksha |
|
18 |
Margashirsha |
Shukla Paksha |
|
19 |
Paush |
Krishna Paksha |
|
20 |
Paush |
Shukla Paksha |
|
21 |
Magha |
Krishna Paksha |
|
22 |
Magha |
Shukla Paksha |
|
23 |
Phalguna |
Krishna Paksha |
|
24 |
Phalguna |
Shukla Paksha |
Amalaki Ekadashi |
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