Patna: Amla Navami, an important festival in the Hindu calendar, will be observed on October 31. The Kartik Shukla Navami Tithi begins at 10:06 am on October 30, and concludes at 10:03 am on Friday. As per scriptures, rituals are performed on the Udaya Tithi (the sunrise period), marking October 31 as the official day of celebration.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu is believed to reside in the Amla (Indian gooseberry) tree from the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Kartika until the full moon of the same month. The day is also referred to as Akshaya Navami, symbolising eternal blessings and never-ending virtues. Mythological accounts state that Lord Krishna departed from Vrindavan for Mathura on this very day at the invitation of his uncle Kansa.
The festival is observed under various names, including Ichchha Navami, Kushmanda Navami, Arogya Navami, and Dhatri Navami. Devotees fast, worship Lord Vishnu, and perform rituals beneath the Amla tree, which is considered a manifestation of the deity himself. Traditional offerings include lighting lamps, pouring water at the tree’s roots, and sharing meals beneath its shade — an act believed to bring eternal virtue and prosperity.
Eating or offering Amla on this day is regarded as auspicious and is often compared to consuming nectar. The fast is undertaken to seek marital happiness, the well-being of children, and longevity. In several parts of North India, the day is also celebrated as Amla Ekadashi or the Amla Festival, marking it as a symbol of health, purity, and divine grace.
