Amalaki Ekadashi 2024 (Rangbharni Ekadashi): Date and Time, Importance, Vrat Kahta

Amalaki Ekadashi 2024, also known as Rangbharni Ekadashi, will be observed on 20th March 2024. On this day, the devotees of Lord Vishnu observe vrat and offer prayers to the Amalaki tree.

As we know there are 24 Ekadashis in a year as per the Hindu calendar. Out of all these ekadashis, Amalaki Ekadashi is considered the most spiritual. The term Amalaki in Hindi means Indian gooseberry. The tree of Amalaki is believed to be very auspicious.

According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu used to live in the tree of gooseberry. This is the reason why a lot of people worship the tree on the eve of Amalaki Ekadashi.

This Ekadashi falls on the 11^thday of the waxing moon. Amalaki Ekadashi comes between two of the most important festivals of Hindus i.e. Maha Shivaratri and Holi (festival of colors).

Amalaki Ekadashi 2024 Overview

Vrat	Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat
Date	March 20, 2024
Day	Wednesday
Parana Time	21st March 2024, 1:41 PM to 04:07 PM

Amalaki Ekadashi 2024 Date and Time

According to the Gregorian calendar, Amalaki Ekadashi comes in the month of February or March. On the other hand, as per the Hindu calendar, Amalaki Ekadashi is celebrated in the phalguna month on the 11^th day of the Shukla Paksha. The festival falls between Maha Shivratri and Holi. Given below are the date and times of the Amalaki Ekadashi in 2024.

Date – 20th March 2024
Day – Wednesday
Ekadashi Starting Time – 12:21 AM, March 20, 2024
Ekadashi Ending Time – 2:22 AM, March 21, 2024

Importance of Amalaki Ekadashi

The upcoming Amalaki Ekadashi is going to be special in many ways. Some of the importance are as follows.

It is one of the most sacred days for fasting and worshipping Lord Vishnu. It is often believed that people who fast on the eve of Amalaki Ekadashi are much likely to the abode of Lord’s Vishnu that is known as “Vaikunth”.
You should note that the importance of observing the fast of Amalaki Ekadashi is mentioned in Brahmanda Purana. At the same time, the significance of this vrat is also recited by Saint Valmiki.
As per many beliefs, those who observe fast on Amalaki Ekadashi get rid of their past and present sins. They can also attain the path of salvation after death by observing this fast.
Apart from this, those who worship the Amalaki Tree on the eve of Amalaki Ekadashi get granted health, wealth, and prosperous life ahead.

Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat Kahta or Story

There is a very interesting story behind the celebration of Amalaki Ekadashi vrat. As per mythology, once upon a time, there was a king name Chitrasen. He was a true devotee of Lord Vishnu. He gained the blessings of the deity by observing the fast on Amalaki Ekadashi. One day, when he was on hunting with his soldiers, he was caught up the tribal men. The tribal mans attacked the kind and his soldiers and imprison them.

The men of tribal community was all set to give sacrifice (Bali) of King’s life in order to please their deity. At the time of the Bali, the king lost his consciousness and fell to the ground. Then, all of a sudden, a ray of light comes out of the king’s body and kills all the tribal men. After that, once the king gets conscious, a divine came and told him that he was saved because he was a true devotee of the Lord Vishnu and observed the fast of Amalaki Ekadashi with full devotion.

What rituals are performed during the Amalaki Ekadashi?

There are numerous rituals performed on the Amalaki Ekadashi as given below.

First of all, you should wake up early and take a bath and then move on to performing the rest of the rituals.
Next, you must worship and offer prayers to Amalaki tree and Lord Vishnu.
Then, you should take a Sankalp in order to achieve salvation (moksh) after death. You must keep some sesame seeds in your palm at the time of taking Sankalp.
Once you are done with worshiping the idol, photo, or calendar of Lord Vishnu. You should worship the Amalaki tree by offering flowers, rice, incense stick, sandalwood, roli, and water.
Those who observe fast on the eve of Amalaki Ekadashi should eat only those food items which are made from Amala. In case you want to opt for a milder fast then you can just avoid food made up of grain or rice.
You should conclude the fast by listening to the sacred Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat Katha.
Some devotees also perform bhajans and recite holy mantras the whole night by staying awake. This is also done to please Lord Vishnu.