Amalaki Ekadashi 2019 Date and Time

BY : STARZSPEAK

Amalaki Ekadashi or Amalaka Ekadashi is often known as 'Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi' is celebrated as 'ekadashi' on eleventh day of the Shukla Paksha the waxing period of moon amid the lunar month of Phalgun. The name of this day of Amalaki Ekadashi is drive from ‘Amla’ tree. The day of Amalaki Ekadashi is observed on the bright fortnight which is known as ‘Ekadashi Tithi’ of ‘Shukal Pakash’ in ‘Phalgun’ month according to Hindu calendar. The day of Amalaki Ekadashi marks the beginning of primary festivals of Holi, an extraordinary Hindu celebration of hues. This year Amalaki Ekadsahi will be celebrated on 17th March 2019. According to Georgian Calendar it falls between the months of February-March.

Amalaki means the Indian Gooseberry tree. On this Ekadashi day the Amalaki tree is worshipped. According to the Hindu mythology, it is believed that the Lord Vishnu resides on the Amalaki tree and on this day he will bestow blessings to those who worship the Amalaki tee. Amalaki tree resembles Lord Vishnu and Tulsi is considered as Goddess Lakshmi.  Amalaki Ekadashi is celebrated as one of the 86 Hindu Festivals by North Indian people and celebrations and rituals remarking Amalaki Ekadashi is carried out differently in different parts.

Rituals of Amalaki Ekadasi

According to Hindu mythology , the devoted soul who keep fast will take holy bath followed by offering water to the Amla tree.

After water offering to Amla tree, the devotees can use flowers and incense sticks too.

The Hindus observed complete day fast on the occasion of Amalaki Ekadashi. It is very beneficial and is done in embrace of Lord Vishnu.

Lord Vishnu is the main deity to be worshipped on the occasion of Amalaki Ekdashi.

The fast starts with the sunrise on (17 march 2019) and will continue till the dawn. The basic concept is fast will start from sunrise (Amalaki Ekadashi) and will continue to the sunrise of next day (Dwadashi).

Eating pre dawn is strictly prohibited in the occasion of Amalaki Ekadashi.

One who is unable to keep fast, can keep fast for the partial day.

This is the most auspicious day for Hindus, devoted souls can donate clothes, cow, fruits to the poor.

According to the Hindu rituals the devotees must have to consume Satvik food on the occasion of Amalaki Ekadashi.

Eating rice and all form of grains are not allowed on Amalaki Ekadashi.

In the middle of the fast devotees are allowed to take fruits, milk and non-cooked items.

On the occasion of Amalaki Ekadashi the devotees make special offerings to Lord Vishnu and chant vedic mantars.

The devotees sing devotional songs to praise Lord Vishnu and will definitely seek blessings.

Important Timings of Amalaki Ekadashi

Mantras for Amalaki Ekadashi

The devoted soul can praise the Lord Vishnu by reciting the Mantras. As many as times devotees will recite, the holy mantras will have more beneficial effects.

The mantras - “Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevay Namah”

Vrat Katha of Amalaki Ekadashi

According to the ‘Brahmanda Purana’ Amalaki Ekadshi vrat katha is the conversation between King Yudhishthira and Lord Sri Krishna. According to one of the mythological inscriptions, King Chitrasena along with his followers too had observed this fast . During one of his hunting experiences, the mighty king got captured by a group of asuras (demons) who never relented to release him. However, they were successfully destroyed after a divine power emerged right from the body of King Chitrasena to which everyone remained aghast and speechless. After getting back to his conscious self, the king learned from Akashvani that it was because of the Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat that he got protected.

Significance of Amalaki Ekadashi

According to Hindu mythology the devoted souls who keep fasting on the day of Amalaki Ekadashi definitely seeks the blessings of Lord Vishnu. The devotees attain “Moksha” and go straight to the eternal heaven “Vaikunth”. The fast of Amalaki Ekadashi is also undertaken for increasing spiritual development. Hindu devotees offer a sincere prayer to Lord Vishnu. The Amalaki Ekadashi marks the beginning of other grand festivals such as “Holi”. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi is omnipresent and the people offer prayers to her in different forms. Lord Krishna along with Radha is also believed to reside beside the Amla tree. So the Hindu devotees have different motives while offering prayers to Amla tree on the occasion of Amalaki Ekadashi.

Celebrations in Different parts of India

In Varanasi the Amalaki Ekadashi is known as Rangbahri Ekadashi and it is celebrated with utmost respect and enthusiasm. In the northern region the celebrations are more renowned. In the town of Mewar, in Rajasthan, a small fair is organized at the Gangu Kund Mahasatiya. On this occasion, the potters from Gogunda region come to the fair with earthen vessels. During this season then all the vessels for storing water are replaced with the new pots. In the state of Orissa, this ekadashi is observed as ‘Sarbasammat Ekadashi’ and grand celebrations are held in Lord Jagganath and Lord Vishnu temples. As this ekadashi is believed to wash away all sins of the individual performing this ekadashi, it is also celebrated as ‘Papanasini Ekadashi’ in some regions.