Navami of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month is celebrated as Amla Navami. Amla Navami is also celebrated as Kushmand Navami and Akshay Navami. Snan, Puja, Tarpan and Annadan are said to be very important on the day of Amla Navami.
When one chants, observes penance, does charity, etc on this day, he/she gets absolved from all the sins. It also fulfills all the wishes of a person. It is believed that Satyuga started on this day. Traditionally the Amla tree is worshipped on this day. According to religious beliefs, all the Gods reside in the Amla tree. Amla is also very dear to Lord Vishnu, so on this day, Amla should be offered to Lord Vishnu.
Amla Navami Katha
In ancient times, there lived a Vaishnav in the city of Kashi. He was a religious man who believed in performing religious activities. However he had no child. This made his wife very sad. Once someone told his wife that if they sacrifice a child in the name of Bhairav Baba, they will definitely get a son. The woman narrated this to her husband, but he refused to do such an act. However the wife was not convinced. Her desire for a child got the better of her and she sacrificed a child. The impact of this sin did not turn out good. The woman got inflicted by leprosy and was tormented by the soul of the child she had sacrificed.
The wife finally shares the situation with the husband. This really angers the husband, however at the same time he feels pity for his wife once he calms down. As a remedy he tells his wife to conduct Puja and perform Snan in the Ganga river.The wife does as told by the husband. One day Ganga Mata takes the Avatar of an old lady and visits the wife. She tells the Vaishnav Seth’s wife if she goes to Mathura on Kartik Navami, performs a Puja and observes a fast then she will be absolved of all her sins. On hearing this, the wife goes to Mathura on Kartik Navami, observes a fast and performs a Puja properly following all the rituals. This pleases the Lord and all her sins get nullified. She gets cured of leprosy and also gives birth to a baby boy.
Amla Navami Pujan Method
- On Amla Navami, the Amla tree is worshiped after taking a bath early in the morning.
- Take water, rice, flowers etc. in your hand and resolve to fast.
- A mixture of milk and water should be poured on to the root of the Amla tree.
- Amla tree Aarti should be done by lighting a lamp and incense sticks.
- Amla tree Parikrama should be done.
- Brahmins should be served meals. They should be given alms and donations. If possible, this should be done under the Amla tree.
- Amla Navami Katha should be heard.On the day of Amla Navami, Amla should be worshiped with the family and everyone should sit under the Amla tree.
Importance of Ganga bath on Amla Navami
Taking a bath in the Ganga on Amla Navami is also considered very auspicious. Apart from Snan in the Ganges, there is also a tradition to visit other holy rivers and religious places. On the day of Amla Navami, the blessings of Lord Vishnu are received. Taking a bath in the Ganges eliminates sins. Snan in the Ganges on Amala Navami removes all the troubles and fulfills all the wishes of a person.
Do Deep Daan on Amla Navami
On the day of Amla Navami, there has also been a practice of lighting lamps under Amla trees. Apart from this, lighting a lamp at the rivers, ghats, at home and at the crossroads is extremely auspicious. Deep Daan done on Amla Navami fills the path of life with light. The obstacles encountered in any field are overcome and success is achieved.
Amla Navami gives freedom from diseases
Worshiping Amla and consuming a meal sitting under the Amla tree is beneficial to health. When a person stands below an Amla tree and the shadow of the tree falls on a person’s body, the body experiences great comfort. Amla has good medicinal properties. Ayurveda too promotes the benefits of Amla. Amla Navmi is nothing but an expression of our gratitude to the Amla tree. The Amla tree plays a very important role in curing diseases.
Importance of consuming meals under the Amla tree
It is believed consuming meals under the Amla tree on the day of Amla Navami is very important and beneficial. This ritual must certainly be carried out. When one consumes a meal under the Amla tree, he\she will be blessed with inner peace equivalent to Amrut. During this time the nutrition in the food increases manifold.
The Amla tree is believed to be the giver of Akshay Phal. Amla is useful not only for health but also for mental alertness. Making a meal and- consuming it under the Amla tree has special significance, however if it is not possible to do so then in that case Amla should certainly be donated.
Amla Navami Importance
The religious significance of Amla Navami of Kartik Shukla Paksha is considered very important. The date of Amla Navami is considered a holy date. Donation of cow, gold and clothes done on this day is very fruitful. Its importance has been expressed in Charaka Samhita. According to which, on the day of Kartik Shukla Navami, Maharishi Chyavan received the boon of being young forever on consumption of Amla.
Amla Navami Puja leads to progeny. This fast is also observed for the attainment of children. Along with progeny on observing this fast one is also blessed by Goddess Lakshmi. The Punya received on this day lasts forever.