Devotees Celebrate Akshaya Navami with Amla Tree Worship Across India
On Friday, October 31, devotees across India celebrated Akshaya Navami, also known as Amla Navami, with great religious fervor and devotion. This festival, which falls on the ninth day (Navami) of the Shukla Paksha in the auspicious month of Kartik, is an important day in the Hindu calendar. It is believed that any good deed, charity or worship done on this day brings eternal blessings and prosperity, as the word “Akshay” means “never diminishing”.
Ancient significance of Akshaya Navami
Akshaya Navami is often considered one of the most sacred days of the year, sometimes called “Amla Navami” due to its association with the amla (Indian gooseberry) tree, which holds deep spiritual and medicinal significance in Hinduism. According to Hindu scriptures, it is said that Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi reside in the Amla tree and worshiping it on this day brings long-term happiness, health and prosperity.
Many devotees observe fast and worship dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi and the sacred Amla tree. The day is also considered to celebrate the beginning of Satya Yuga, the first of the four Yugas in Hindu cosmology. Thus, Akshaya Navami is sometimes also called “Treta Yugadi”, which marks the beginning of a new cosmic age according to mythology.
Rituals and celebrations across the country
In North India, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, devotees used to wake up early, take a dip in rivers or holy ponds and worship the Amla tree (Amla Puja). They circumambulated the tree, tied sacred threads around it, offered flowers, incense and sweets and said prayers to seek divine blessings. Women were seen observing vrat (fast) and doing daan (charity) for the well-being of their families, who are considered especially meritorious on this day.
In Varanasi, devotees flocked to Panchganga Ghat and Assi Ghat, offering prayers and making donations in the name of their ancestors. A huge crowd was seen in the temples of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi since morning. Similar scenes were also seen from Prayagraj, where thousands of pilgrims took a bath at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers.
In Maharashtra, devotees participated in special pujas organized at Vishnu temples. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, many families organize the Tulsi Vivah ceremony, which often coincides with the Akshaya Navami week, which marks the divine marriage of Lord Vishnu and Tulsi Devi. People also distributed Amla-based prasad, sweets and food to Brahmins and the needy
The spiritual symbolism of the Amla tree
The Amla tree, revered in Ayurveda for its medicinal properties, is also deeply rooted in spiritual beliefs. According to Hindu texts, Lord Vishnu’s divine energy created the Amla tree, and it is said that offering prayers to the tree is equivalent to performing thousands of Yajnas (sacrificial rituals). On Akshaya Navami, devotees are encouraged to eat Amla fruit, cook food under the tree’s shade, or even feed the poor near it, as these acts multiply blessings manifold.
Many households prepared Amla-based dishes such as Amla chutney, Amla rice, and Amla laddoo, offering them first to the deities before sharing them with family members and neighbors. In some regions, Amla saplings were planted as part of environmental and religious initiatives to promote greenery and sustainable living, blending spiritual traditions with ecological awareness.
Charitable acts and community service
True to the spirit of “Akshaya,” meaning eternal, devotees across the country engaged in charity and social service. Many temples and religious groups organized food donation drives, free medical camps, and mass feeding programs (Bhandaras) for the underprivileged. People donated food, clothing, and money to Brahmins and needy families, believing that such acts on this day ensure everlasting merit and good karma.
In Vrindavan and Mathura, temples organized special recitations of the Vishnu Sahasranama and Bhagavad Gita. Priests explained to devotees that donating food or planting trees on Akshaya Navami holds the same merit as performing hundreds of yajnas. As a result, several organizations also launched campaigns to plant trees and raise awareness about environmental conservation through traditional faith-based events.
Akshaya Navami and cultural unity
While the observance of Akshaya Navami may differ slightly across regions, its core message of prosperity, renewal, and eternal growth unites devotees throughout the nation. From Bengal to Gujarat, and from Tamil Nadu to Himachal Pradesh, the day reflects India’s rich cultural and spiritual diversity.
In West Bengal, devotees observed the festival as Amla Navami, offering Amla fruits to the deities and preparing bhog made with Amla for distribution among family and friends. In Southern India, devotees performed Vishnu puja and read stories from the Padma Purana, which extols the significance of Akshaya Navami and its link to the beginning of Satya Yuga.
Modern interpretation and relevance
In modern times, Akshaya Navami has also become a day to emphasize sustainability and gratitude. With increasing environmental concerns, the traditional act of worshipping and planting Amla trees has found new relevance. Schools, NGOs, and community groups across cities like Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, and Lucknow organized “Amla Tree Plantation Drives”, blending spirituality with ecological awareness.
Religious scholars also highlighted the deeper meaning of the festival — the importance of nurturing life, performing good deeds without expectation, and preserving traditions that sustain both spiritual and natural harmony.
Conclusion
As the sun set on October 31, lamps lit under Amla trees and prayers chanted in thousands of homes across India reflected the collective spirit of faith, gratitude, and renewal. Akshaya Navami, as its name suggests, continues to symbolize endless blessings, prosperity, and the eternal cycle of goodness, bridging the ancient and the modern with timeless devotion.
