Amalaki Ekadashi 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Devotees of Lord Vishnu: Men and women who keep the Ekadashi fast to please Lord Vishnu and to be freed from past sins.
• Families Seeking Wellbeing: Many households observe this vrat for good health, prosperity, and peace in the family.
• Seekers of Liberation: Devotees who hope for spiritual merit and freedom from the cycle of birth and death (Moksha) also keep this fast.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Sankalp and Fast: Taken in the morning, after a bath in Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn hours) or at sunrise, and the fast is kept through the day.
• Puja Muhurat: The Amalaki Ekadashi puja is done in the morning, in Purvahna (the forenoon). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Night Vigil (Jagran): Kept through the night with bhajans and the katha, as many families do.
• Breaking the Fast (Parana): Done the next morning, on Dwadashi, within the Parana time. Check the Parana time for your city on this page.

About the Festival

Amalaki Ekadashi is a sacred Vaishnava observance, kept across India, in which Lord Vishnu is worshipped along with the Amla (Indian gooseberry) tree. It takes place on the Ekadashi (eleventh day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Phalguna.

The Vrat Katha (Story of King Chaitraratha)

In ancient times, there was a prosperous city named Vaidisha, ruled by the righteous King Chaitraratha. His people were devoted to Lord Vishnu, and on a certain Ekadashi in the month of Phalguna, the king and his subjects gathered at a temple near an Amla tree to observe the fast with great devotion.

That night, a hungry hunter who had lived a life of violence and sin came to the temple. He joined the gathering, stayed awake through the night, and listened to the stories of Lord Vishnu, though he could not keep the fast fully. In due time he passed away.

Sage Vasishtha, who told this story to King Mandhata, explained: "Even the little merit he gained by staying awake and listening on Amalaki Ekadashi, beneath the sacred Amla tree, was enough to cleanse his sins." By that grace, the hunter was born again as a prince named Vasuratha, who grew up to be a righteous and generous king.

Once, while hunting, the king lost his way in a forest and fell asleep beneath a tree. A band of tribesmen who were his enemies found him and raised their weapons to kill him. Then a radiant divine woman, born of the merit of that Ekadashi, emerged from the king's body and struck them all down. When he woke, a voice from the sky told him that Lord Vishnu had protected him. Since that day, devotees have kept the fast of Amalaki Ekadashi and worshipped the Amla tree, trusting that it removes sin and grants good fortune.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Idol: Picture or idol of Lord Vishnu on a Chowki; some devotees also include an image of Lord Parashurama
• Amla Tree & Fruit: Fresh Amla fruits, or a visit to an Amla tree
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Chandan, Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Incense: A Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Dhoop or Agarbatti
• Sacred Water Container: A Kalash filled with fresh water
• Devotional Accessories: Flowers, Tulsi leaves, Kalava (sacred red thread), and fruits for Naivedya

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Lord Vishnu, today I observe the Amalaki Ekadashi fast. Forgive my faults, bless me and my family with health and peace, and grant me the strength to complete this vow with pure devotion."
3. Observe the fast through the day, avoiding grains and rice (many devotees take only fruits, milk, or water, as they are able).

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar

1. Clean the northeastern corner (Ishan Kone) of your home or the puja room.
2. Place the image of Lord Vishnu on a Chowki covered with a clean yellow cloth.
3. Place the Kalash of water near the image, and keep fresh Amla fruits beside it.

Step 3: Worshipping Lord Vishnu and the Amla Tree

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense before Lord Vishnu.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Chandan, Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat to the image.
3. Offering Flowers & Tulsi: Offer fresh flowers and Tulsi leaves to the Lord.
4. Worshipping the Amla Tree: Go to an Amla tree if one is near, pour water at its roots, apply Tilak, and tie Kalava around the trunk. At home, offer the same to the Amla fruits.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After the story, offer the grains and petals at the feet of the Lord.

Step 5: Aarti and Night Vigil

1. Perform the Aarti of Lord Vishnu using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Offer fruits and sweets as Naivedya and distribute them as prasad.
3. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and stay awake in the evening and night with bhajans and the name of the Lord, as your family is able.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast

1. The next morning, bathe and offer a short puja to Lord Vishnu.
2. Feed Brahmins or the needy and give charity (Daan), then touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
3. Break your fast at Parana time with the prasad and a simple sattvic meal, including a piece of Amla.