Amalaki Ekadashi 2026
Friday, 27 February 2026 · Shukla Paksha, Ekadashi tithi — Worship of the sacred amla tree.
Vrat & Parana timing
Ekadashi is fasted through the tithi and broken the next morning on Dwadashi within the parana window. The times below are for New Delhi and indicative — confirm the exact tithi and parana for your city on the Panchang.
Amalaki Ekadashi
Friday, 27 February 2026
Times are for New Delhi and shift with your location. Check the day's Panchang for your city.
How the vrat is kept
A simple four-step observance, from the dawn sankalp to breaking the fast on Dwadashi.
Rise before dawn, bathe, and vow (sankalp) to keep the fast with a steady, pure mind.
Worship Lord Vishnu with tulsi, flowers, incense and a ghee lamp; offer fruit and panchamrit.
Set aside grains and pulses. Pass the day in chanting, katha and charity, and hold the night vigil.
Break the fast on Dwadashi morning within the prescribed window, after feeding the needy.
The vrat is completed only when it is broken correctly: on Dwadashi tithi, within the parana window and after Ekadashi has ended. In 2026 the parana for Amalaki Ekadashi falls the morning after Friday, 27 February 2026, in New Delhi.
There are 24 Ekadashi tithis in a year, and Amalaki Ekadashi is one of the most prominent. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Ekadashi fast is observed during the Shukla Paksha of the Phalgun month. People worship the Amla tree on this day, and it is associated with spiritual purification, fasting, and devotion.
Amalaki Ekadashi: Date and Timing
Date: 27 February 2026
Day: Friday
Timing: From 12:33 am to 10:32 pm
Parana timing: 28 February (Dwadashi), 6:47 am to 09:06 am
Note: Timing may vary depending on the city and Panchang calculations
What is Amalaki Ekadashi?
Amalaki Ekadashi is a fast observed by followers of Hinduism. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and the Amla tree has spiritual significance on this day. The Amla tree is symbolic of purity, healing, health, and divine energy in many cultures.
As per many Hindu scriptures, Lord Vishnu resides in the Amla tree on this Ekadashi tithi. This is why devotees worship the Amla tree along with worshipping Lord Vishnu. Ekadashi fasting is also known to help control desires, calm the mind, and improve spiritual awareness.
Why is Amalaki Ekadashi important?
Amalaki Ekadashi is highly auspicious for positive karma and spiritual growth. Devotees observe this fast to seek Lord Vishnu’s blessings, remove negativity from life, improve inner peace, and enhance devotion from within.
Astrologically, Ekadashi occurs during the Lunar phase that is beneficial for meditation, spiritual healing, mantra chanting, and mental clarity. Many people believe that the Ekadashi fast improves emotional discipline and mindfulness.
Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat Katha
According to the Hindu mythology, there was once a king named Chitrasena who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. He ruled a kingdom called Vaidisha. He, along with his followers, observed Amalaki Ekadashi fast with sincerity.
One night, a ruthless hunter lost his way while hunting. When the Sun went down, he got tired and decided to take shelter in the bushes. There was a nearby temple where the king and his followers were chanting prayers and singing devotional songs to Lord Vishnu on Amalaki Ekadashi. Since he had not eaten anything coincidentally, and he observed the rituals of this fast closely, the spiritual effect of this day changed his destiny for the better.
This Vrat Katha highlights the devotion, positive actions, and spiritual discipline in the Hindu tradition.
Spiritual Importance of the Amla Tree
The Amla tree holds great significance not only in Hinduism but also in Ayurveda.
Spiritually, it is associated with positive energy, purification, and divine blessings.
In Ayurveda, the Amla tree is known for its healing and immune-supporting properties. This balance of spiritual and physical healing makes this tree sacred during Amalaki Ekadashi.
Many devotees offer water to the Amla tree, light diyas, chant Vishnu Mantras, and offer prayers near it on this Ekadashi tithi.
Amalaki Ekadashi Rituals
- Devotees usually observe either a Nirjala fast or eat only fruits throughout the day.
- Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this day and is offered flowers, tulsi leaves, incense, and ghee lamps. Devotees also sing bhajans and devotional songs to appease Lord Vishnu. Vishnu Sahasranama is a popular chant on this day.
- The Amla (Amalaki) tree is commonly worshipped on this day. Devotees offer prayers to the tree and do parikrama around it for prosperity and spiritual growth.
- Many people donate food items and clothes to the poor and needy for spiritual benefits.
What to Eat During Amalaki Ekadashi Fast?
- People generally eat fruits, milk, dry fruits, sabudana, makhana, and vrat-friendly dishes.
- Many people avoid rice, onion, garlic, grains, and non-vegetarian food.
Astrological Significance of Amalaki Ekadashi
In Vedic astrology, Ekadashi fasting is known to calm devotees' minds and improve emotional balance.
Since the Moon governs emotions and thoughts, spiritual practices are considered more helpful for reducing mental stress, restlessness, improving concentration, and increasing positivity.
Many expert astrologers also recommend fasting on the Ekadashi tithi for people going through difficult Moon, Rahu, or Saturn periods in the horoscope.
Benefits of Observing Amalaki Ekadashi
Devotees believe that this vrat helps improve spiritual grounding, strengthen devotion, and remove negativity from life and attract positive energies. It also supports spiritual growth and brings calmness and clarity to the observer.
What Should You Avoid on Ekadashi?
To gain the maximum benefits of the Ekadashi fast, one must avoid anger, negative thoughts, arguments, tamasic food, and harmful behaviour.
The main focus should be on discipline, devotion, and purity.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A tithi begins and ends at a precise moment, and the vrat is kept on the day the Ekadashi tithi is current at sunrise. Because that moment falls at different clock times across India, regional calendars can differ by a day.
On Dwadashi tithi, within the parana window and only after the Ekadashi tithi has ended. Breaking it too early, or after Dwadashi has passed, is considered inauspicious.
From sunrise on Ekadashi, grains, rice and pulses are set aside. The day is spent in Vishnu worship, japa and charity, ideally with a night vigil (jagran), and the fast is broken only the next morning on Dwadashi within the parana window.
Named for the sacred amla tree worshipped as a form of Vishnu. The Brahmanda Purana says a hunter who sheltered under an amla tree on this day attained heaven.
Amalaki Ekadashi falls on Friday, 27 February 2026, on the Ekadashi tithi of the Shukla Paksha of Phalguna. The fast is broken on Saturday 28 February within the parana window.