>Monkbot at 10:25, 27 January 2021

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{{Infobox holiday |
|holiday_name= Amalaka Ekadashi
|image=Phyllanthus officinalis.jpg
|imagesize=300px
|caption=The amla tree
|nickname= Amalaki Ekadashi
|observedby=[[Hindu]]s
|date=Decided by the [[lunar calendar]]
|date2013 = 23 March
|date2014 = 12 March<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.drikpanchang.com/panchang/month-panchang.html?date=12/03/2014 |title=Panchang, Panchangam for Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, India |work=drikpanchang.com |year=2013 |quote=Ekadashi, Phalguna, Shukla Paksha, 2070 Vikram Samvat |access-date=27 March 2013}}</ref>
|date2015 = 1 March
|date2016 = 19 March<ref>http://www.festivalsofindia.in/Amalaki-Ekadashi/</ref>
|date2017= 8 March<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://calendar-panchang.com/2017-marathi-calendar-panchang/1/|title=2017 Marathi Calendar Panchang|access-date=12 October 2016}}</ref>
|date2018= 26 February<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://marathi-calendars.com/february-2018-marathi-calendar-panchang-wallpaper-pdf-download/15/|title=February 2018 Marathi Calendar Panchang|access-date=5 October 2017}}</ref>
|observances=Prayers and religious rituals, including [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] to the amla tree
|type=Hindu
|significance= Vishnu, Lakshmi, Damodara (Krishna) and Radha said to reside near the tree
|duration = 1 day
|frequency = annual
}}

'''Amalaka Ekadashi''' or '''Amalaki Ekadashi''' is a [[Hindu festival|Hindu holy day]], celebrated on the 11th day ([[Ekadashi]]) of the [[waxing moon]], in the lunar month of [[Phalgun]] (February–March). It is a celebration of the amalaka or amla tree (''[[Phyllanthus emblica]]''), known as the Indian gooseberry.

The god [[Vishnu]], for whom ekadashis are sacred, is believed to reside in the tree. The amla tree is ritually worshiped on this day to get the grace of the deity. The day marks the beginning of the main celebrations of the festival of [[Holi]], the Hindu festival of colours.

==Significance==
[[File:Indian gooseberry bark.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Indian gooseberry, or aamla (Phyllanthus emblica)]]
[[Tree worship]] is an integral part of Hinduism, which believes the Universal Spirit or omnipresent deity lives in everything.<ref name="Omnigraphics">Annual Holidays. (2004). Chapter 12: Hinduism in ''Religious Holidays & Calendars''. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/ogirholidays/annual_holidays, Publisher:Omnigraphics, Inc.</ref><ref name="Sehgal1999"/> Trees are important in agrarian societies like India.<ref name="Sehgal1999"/>

The veneration of the [[Phyllanthus emblica|amla tree]] in particular is due to the belief that the deity [[Vishnu]] lives in and near the tree, particularly on Amalaka Ekadashi.<ref name="Omnigraphics"/><ref name= "Melton2011">{{Cite book|last= Melton |first= J. Gordon |title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KDU30Ae4S4cC&q=Amalaka+Ekadasi&pg=PA27|access-date=7 November 2012|publisher= ABC-CLIO|year=2011|isbn=9781598842050|pages=27–28}}</ref> In some traditions, his wife [[Lakshmi]], the deity of wealth, is said to dwell in the tree. It is believed that Vishnu's avatar [[Krishna]] and his consort [[Radha]] reside near the tree.<ref name= "Garg1992"/>

Another reason for the worship are its supposed medicinal qualities used in [[Ayurvedic Medicine|Ayurvedic medicinal]] preparations, primarily due to its rich content of [[vitamin C]] in fresh fruit.<ref name= "Melton2011"/>

==Legend==
The legend of a ritual fast is also called a ''Vrata katha'' (tale of the ''[[vrata]]'' religious vow).

According to the legend narrated for the occasion, King Chitrasena and his subjects observed the ''vrata'' of Amalaka Ekadashi.
During one of his hunting trips, Chitrasena lost his way in the forest and was captured by the ''[[rakshasa]]''s (demons) who attacked him with weapons. Though he remained physically unharmed, the king fell unconscious as more demons surrounded him. A divine power in the form of a light emerged from his body and destroyed his attackers and then vanished. On regaining consciousness, Chitrasena was stunned to see all the attackers killed. A divine voice (Akasavani) announced that this was due to the observance of the ''Ekadashi vrata''. Following this incident, the ''vrata'' became popular in the kingdom, which led to peace and harmony.<ref name= "Garg1992">{{Cite book|last= Garg |first= Gaṅgā Rām |title= Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World: Ak-Aq|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WjDcd0cTFxQC&q=Amalaka+Ekadasi&pg=PA357 |access-date=7 November 2012 |publisher= Concept Publishing Company |year=1992|isbn=9788170223757|page=357}}</ref>

A variant of this tale is found in the ''[[Brahmanda Purana]]'' as narrated by the sage [[Vasishtha]]. King Chaitraratha of Vaidisa and his subjects were blessed with riches due to the worship of Vishnu. Once, on Amalaki Ekadashi, Chaitraratha and his subjects worshiped Vishnu and the amla tree near the Vishnu temple, on a riverbank. He also worshiped [[Parashurama]], a sage-avatar of Vishnu. The devotees fasted and remained awake the whole night, singing [[bhajan]]s (devotional songs) in praise of Vishnu. A hungry hunter joined the group and followed the Amalaka Ekadashi ''vrata''. As a result, after his death he was reborn as King Vasurath. Vasurath is described as undergoing a similar experience to King Chitrasena from the earlier tale. The main difference is that Vasurath does not perform the ''vrata'' in this life but in his previous life. The moral of the tale is told to be that the performance of Amalaka Ekadashi ''vrata'', without any desire and just pure devotion, results in the grace of Vishnu, in this and next lives.<ref name = "ut">[http://www.udaipurtimes.com/amlaki-ekadashi-dedicated-to-the-priceless-amla-tree/ Amalaki Ekadashi, dedicated to the priceless Amla Tree]</ref><ref>[http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/page/amalaki-ekadasi Glories of Amalaki Ekadasi]</ref>

==Practices==

The observer of the ''vrata'' should have a ritual bath in the morning. The devotee or priests ceremonially bathe and water the tree and then worship it with a [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] ritual. Devotees fast on this day and gifts are offered to [[Brahmin priest]]s praying for prosperity, wealth and health.<ref name="Omnigraphics"/><ref name="Sehgal1999"/><ref name= "Melton2011"/> Devotees also listen to the ''vrata katha'' of Amalaka Ekadashi.<ref name = "ut"/> Offering of food and charity is prescribed on this day; the virtue is equated to the performance of a ''vajapeya'', a ''soma[[yajna]]'' sacrifice.<ref name= "Garg1992"/>

Though the festival of [[Holi]] begins on [[Vasant Panchami]], it is on Amalaka Ekadashi that the main festivities begin. The day marks the beginning of the climax of Holi, culminating on four lunar days later on the full moon. From this day, people start playing with colours.<ref name="Omnigraphics"/><ref name="Sehgal1999">{{Cite book|last= Sehgal |first= Sunil|title= Encyclopaedia of Hinduism: C-G, Volume 2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zWG64bgtf3sC&q=Amalaka+Ekadasi&pg=PA529 |access-date=12 November 2012|publisher= Sarup & Sons |year=1999|isbn=9788176250641|page=529}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Hindu festivals}}

[[Category:Hindu holy days]]
[[Category:Trees in mythology]]
[[Category:February observances]]
[[Category:March observances]]
[[Category:April observances]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals]]

Amalaka Ekadashi - Revision history

>Monkbot at 10:25, 27 January 2021