New Delhi: In Hindu religion, the Navami date of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month has special significance, which is known as Amla Navami or Akshaya Navami. This year this festival will be celebrated on Friday, 31 October 2025. This day is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu and the Amla tree. It is believed that the results of virtuous deeds done on this day never end, that is why it is called ‘Akshay’ Navami.
According to mythological beliefs, from Kartik Shukla Navami to Purnima, Lord Vishnu himself resides in the Amla tree. By fasting, worshiping and doing charity on this day, a person gets blessings of health, good fortune and happiness and prosperity.
According to the Panchang, Navami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month will start on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 10:06 am. This date will end the next day, i.e. Friday, October 31, 2025, at 10:03 AM. In Hindu religion, only the date valid at the time of sunrise (Udaya Tithi) is considered auspicious for the festival. Therefore, this year the festival of Amla Navami will be celebrated only on Friday, 31st October.
On Amla Navami Arogya Navami, Kushmand Navami and Dhatri Navami Like it is also known by many other names. There is a tradition of worshiping the Amla tree on this day.
For worship, after morning bath, sit under the Amla tree facing east. Offer water and raw milk to the roots of the tree. After this, offer Roli, sandalwood, Akshat, flowers and vermillion on the tree. Wrap raw cotton or molly around the trunk of the tree and revolve around it eight times. Light a camphor or ghee lamp and perform aarti and pray to Lord Vishnu for the happiness and peace of the family.
There is also a tradition of eating food sitting under the Amla tree on this day. It is believed that by doing this one attains eternal virtue. Also, consuming, bathing and donating Amla is considered as fruitful as nectar.
There are many mythological stories associated with Amla Navami. According to a legend, once Goddess Lakshmi was touring the earth. His wish was to worship Lord Vishnu and Shiva together. He thought that Tulsi is dear to Lord Vishnu and Belpatra is dear to Lord Shiva, but the divine qualities of both are contained in Amla. Then he worshiped the Amla tree considering it to be the symbol of Shiva and Vishnu. Pleased with the worship, both the gods appeared and Goddess Lakshmi fed them under the tree. Since then this tradition became popular.
According to another story, on this day a poor woman gave a dry Amla in alms to Adi Shankaracharya. Seeing her poverty, Shankaracharya composed ‘Kanakadhara Stotra’ and invoked Goddess Lakshmi, after which the goddess showered golden gooseberries on the woman’s house.
It is also believed that Satyayuga started from Kartik Shukla Navami and on this day Lord Shri Krishna went from Vrindavan to Mathura to kill Kansa.
