Why is a meal eaten under an amla tree on Akshaya Navami?

The amla tree is held to be dear to Vishnu, and eating a meal beneath it on this day is the central practice. Like Akshaya Tritiya, the idea is that what's done today doesn't diminish. It falls on Kartik Shukla Navami and is observed mainly in Gujarat and North India.

Akshaya Navami

अक्षय नवमी · અક્ષય નવમી

Next date

18 November 2026

Wednesday · Shukla Navami

Tithi begins06:05 AM

Tithi ends07:07 AM · 19 Nov

Full panchang for this day

About

Highly auspicious day in Kartik month. Planting of Amla (Indian gooseberry) tree brings imperishable merit.

Falls on: Kartik Shukla Navami

What it is

Also Amla Navami or Kushmanda Navami. An amla (gooseberry) tree is worshipped and a meal eaten beneath it. The tree is held to be dear to Vishnu. Like Akshaya Tritiya, whatever is done today is said not to diminish. It also marks the start of Vrindavan's Braj parikrama season.

Food

A meal cooked and eaten under the amla tree; amla itself in various forms.

Common questions

Why is a meal eaten under an amla tree on Akshaya Navami?: The amla tree is held to be dear to Vishnu, and eating a meal beneath it on this day is the central practice. Like Akshaya Tritiya, the idea is that what's done today doesn't diminish. It falls on Kartik Shukla Navami and is observed mainly in Gujarat and North India.

2026

Nov18WedWednesdayNextShukla NavamiTithi begins06:05 AMTithi ends07:07 AM · 19 Nov

2027

Nov7SunSundayShukla NavamiTithi begins02:50 AMTithi ends05:24 AM · 8 Nov