What is Amlaka Ekadashi and when is it celebrated?
By Intimate Viewpoint
Amalaka Ekadashi is also known as 'Amalaki Ekadashi'. It is celebrated on the 11th day of the waxing moon in the month of Phalguna in the lunar calendar and February-March in the Gregorian calendar.
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It is one of the 24 Ekadashi. Like other Ekadashi, it holds a specific significance. Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped in the form of Damodara (Krishna) and Radha. The veneration of the Amlaka or Amla tree distinguishes this Ekadashi. It is believed that Shri Krishna and Radha live in or near the Amlaka tree on this day.
Observance and Significance
The Amlaka Ekadashi observance is the same as the other Ekadashi. Devotees take a holy bath in the early morning and do Pooja of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Worshipping the Amla tree makes this Ekadashi special from other Ekadashi. The Amla tree is ritually worshipped on this day to get the blessings of Lord Vishnu as it is believed that he resides on the Amla or Amlaka tree on this day.
Amalaka Ekadashi is observed in the month of Phalguna and the festival of Holi also falls in the same month. Hence the festival of Holi is considered to start from this day. Devotees observe a complete or partial fast on this day. Charity is a vital part of this festival. Devotees donate essential things, food, and money to the Brahmins and the needy.
The Legend of Amalaka Ekadashi
Amlaki Ekadashi Vrat Katha or the legend is narrated in front of the devotees who observe the fast. It is also a vital part of the observance of this Ekadashi.
The story is about a king named Chitrasena and his subjects who observed the fast of Amalaki Ekadashi. One day he went on a hunting trip. The king lost his way in the forest and was captured by some Rakshas (Demons). They attacked him with weapons but there was magic happened. The weapons could not harm him but he fell unconscious. A divine power emerged from his body in the form of a light, which killed all the Demons and vanished. After regaining consciousness, the king gets socked seeing all his enemies dead. Then a spiritual voice announced from the sky that this magic happened because of the observance of the Ekadashi Vrat.
After this incident, the Vrata became popular in the kingdom of King Chitrasena, which is still observed today.
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