Amalaki Ekadashi | About Amalaki Ekadashi | Legend | Rituals | Significance

About Amalaki Ekadashi 

Amalaki Ekadashi is primarily observed in India, specifically in the state of Maharashtra. The day also marks the beginning of the main celebrations of the festival of Holi.Amalakhi Ekadashi celebrated on the 11th day of the waxing phase of te moon, in the Hindu mnth Phalgun that falls in the month of February march.Amalaki Ekadashi falls between Maha Shivaratri and Holi.Amalaki Ekadashi also known as ‘Amalaka Ekadashi’.

 

The main attraction or the ritual of the festival is worshiping Amala Tree and Lord Vishnu. The day starts with ritual bath followed by prayers. Some devote observe a day-long fast and pray for prosperity, wealth, and health. The dates of Amalaki Ekadashi vary every year because of the fact that it is based on Hindu calendar and Hindu calendars are based on the solar cycle.

Legend of Amalaki Ekadashi

According to one of the mythological inscriptions, King Chitrasena along with his followers too had observed this fast . During one of his hunting experiences, the mighty king got captured by a group of asuras (demons) who never relented to release him. However, they were successfully destroyed after a divine power emerged right from the body of King Chitrasena to which everyone remained aghast and speechless. After getting back to his conscious self, the king learned from Akashvani that it was because of the Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat that he got protected.

Rituals Of Amalaki Ekadashi

  

Person who is observing Ekadashi fast, after refreshing himself should offer water to Amla tree. The Amla tree should be worshiped with incense, sandalwood, roli, flowers etc. followed by an offering of meal to Brahmins underneath the Amla tree.

Significance of  Amalaki Ekadashi

The importance of Vaishnava Amalaki Ekadashi is described in the religious scriptures like ‘Brahmanda Purana’ as a form of conversation between King Yudhishthira and Lord Sri Krishna. This day is of great significance for Lord Vishnu followers as it is believed that be observing Vaishnava Amalaki Ekadashi, devotees attain ‘moksha’ and go straight to ‘Vaikunth’ the eternal heaven. The Vaishnava Amalaki Ekadashi vrat is also undertaken for increasing spiritual development.

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Nauchandi Mela(Fair) | About Nauchandi Mela | History | Legend and Rituals of Nauchandi Mela | How to Reach | Pictures

About Nauchandi Mela

Nauchandi Mela started in 1672 AD as a one-day affair mainly for cattle traders. A multitude of activities religious rituals, commercial, artistic and rustic merriment form part of the fair.The fair figured during the First War of Indian Independence in 1857 when one of the prominent figures of the revolt, Nana Saheb, came here to motivate the locals to raise arms against the British. Except in 1858, a year after the revolt against the East India Company, the fair has been held here regularly. 

Nauchandi Mela is a rare symbol of communal harmony with visitors paying obeisance to both the Hindu and Muslim shrines - the Nauchandi Temple and the Dargah of Bala Mian - irrespective of the religion they belong to.The Mela is a delight for the food connoisseur as well. Stalls selling a wide variety of food items from across India are present.

History of  Nauchandi Mela

The fair has its own history and numerous legends and stories are woven around it. It started in AD 1672 as a one-day affair mainly for cattle traders but has since undergone many changes. Cattle trading has been replaced by a multitude of activities-religious rituals, commercial activity, artistic creativity and rustic merriment. 

The mela also figured during the First War of Indian Independence in 1857 when one of the prominent figures of the revolt, Nana Saheb, came here to motivate the locals to raise arms against the British. When the British regained control, they put up posters of Nana Saheb and his warriors at the Nauchandi mela to gain favor of the local populace.According to another story, the East India Company used to put up the fair as a revenue collection center around 1800. And in 1884, F.N.Wright, the then collector of Meerut district started a horse exhibition where thoroughbred stallions were sold. Of course, other activities commensurate with the mela used to be organized to attract prospective buyers. The period of the mela stretches for over a month now. Except in 1858, a year after the revolt against the East India Company rule started from Meerut, the fair has been held here regularly.

 Legend and Rituas of Nauchandi Mela

According to one belief, Mandodari, Ravan’s (demon king of Lanka in the epic Ramayana) wife, was born in a devil’s house in Meerut. She was, however, a great devotee of goddess Chandi and she had a temple erected in her honour. A religious festival was held to celebrate this occasion. Since then the fair has been held every year. 

As the legend of the dargah goes, Syed Salar Masood Ghazi was a commander in the army of Mahmood of Ghazni who invaded India in AD 1017 and proved his mettle in the fight against the local king. During the course of a battle, he lost one of his fingers. Syed Salar subsequently denounced violence, became an ascetic, and took the name Bala Mian. The present dargah was built in his memory in AD 1194 by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, at the spot where his cut finger had fallen during the battle.

The cultural aspect of the Nauchandi Mela is also as important. Every evening some cultural program  or the other is held, which goes on till the early hours of the morning. The mela has had the honor of playing host to artistes like the internationally renowned Pandit Ravi Shankar. Besides, the mela committee has started a few new events like beauty contests, honoring the aged, organizing women's conferences, fireworks and music competitions. Plans are also afoot to set up an art gallery and museum to preserve the historic, cultural and artistic aspects of the mela.

While nautankis (melodramas performed by professional theatre companies) are still staged, the real crowd puller are the musical program with modern orchestra.

How to Reach Nauchandi Mela

By Air : Meerut is situated very close to New Delhi, the seat of Indian Government. Delhi Airport is 60 odd Kilometers from Meerut. Delhi is in turn well connected to rest of India and world through a range of flights operated by various private and public carriers. From Delhi, one can hire a cab and reach Meerut in an hour and half via National Highways 24 and then NH 58.

By Road : Meerut is well connected to the cities like Mathura, Delhi, Chandigarh, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Jhansi and Agra etc. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation plies several buses to these cities. Various privately run luxury buses are also available.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Meerut Cantonment Station that falls on the busy Delhi-Dehradun line of North Central Railways. Several Passenger as well as super fast trains connect Meerut to other popular towns and cities in Uttar Pradesh and rest of India. It has direct connectivity to cities like Delhi, Ghaziabad, Agra, Jaipur and Lucknow.

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