🌿 14 February 2026 – Saturday – Amla Navami / Bhishma Ashtami

Date: Saturday, 14 February 2026
Occasions:

• Amla Navami (sometimes called Akshaya or Ichchha Navami)
• Bhishma Ashtami (Death Anniversary of Bhishma Pitamah)

🕉️ Significance

Amla Navami

• Amla Navami is dedicated to the Amla tree (Indian gooseberry), which is considered highly auspicious in Hinduism.
• The Padma Purana and other texts describe the Amla tree as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, and worshipping the tree is believed to bring blessings of health, prosperity, and longevity.
• On this day, devotees perform puja under the Amla tree, sprinkle it with Ganga water, offer flowers, light a lamp, and circumambulate the tree.
• It is also believed that the medicinal and spiritual properties of the amla fruit promote well-being, mental clarity, and divine grace.

Bhishma Ashtami

• Bhishma Ashtami commemorates the death anniversary of Bhishma Pitamah, the great warrior from the Mahabharata who chose his own time of departure (Icchāmṛtyu).
• Bhishma is known for his virtues — duty (dharma), sacrifice, wisdom, and unwavering commitment. Observing this day is a way to honor those virtues.
• Rituals include Tarpan (water offerings) to Bhishma and ancestors, usually with kusha grass, til (sesame) seeds, and water.
• Devotees take a holy bath (preferably in a sacred river), fast during the day, and perform puja.
• This day is also observed to remove Pitru Dosha and gain blessings for one’s lineage.

🪔 Rituals & Observances

For Amla Navami:

1. Holy Bath: Begin with a ritual bath in the morning.
2. Worship the Amla Tree:
   • Sprinkle Ganga water (or holy water) at the base of the tree.
   • Offer flowers, turmeric, roli, and a ghee lamp.
   • Circumambulate the tree (usually 7 times) while offering water.
3. Mantras & Prayers: Chant mantras or Vedic hymns dedicated to Vishnu and Lakshmi.
4. Charity & Donation: Donate amla fruit, food, or other offerings; any act of charity is believed to bring akshaya (eternal) virtue.

For Bhishma Ashtami:

1. Tarpan: Perform water offerings to Bhishma Pitamah and one’s ancestors, using kush grass, boiled rice, sesame seeds, and water.
2. Holy Bath: Take a purifying dip in a holy river, if possible; else, bathe at home with devotion.
3. Fasting: Observe a fast throughout the day.
4. Puja & Mantras:
   • Light a lamp, offer flowers and fruits.
   • Recite Bhishma mantras, or prayers praising his virtues and commitment.
5. Ancestral Remembrance: Use this day also to perform shraddha or ancestral rites.

🔮 Spiritual Benefits

• Amla Navami: Strengthens health, immunity, longevity; draws blessings of Vishnu and Lakshmi; symbolizes never-depleting (akshaya) virtue.
• Bhishma Ashtami: Helps resolve pitru dosha, earn merits for ancestors, bring peace to departed souls, and imbibe Bhishma’s virtues like sacrifice and righteousness.
• Observing both together on the same day unites nature reverence (Amla) with ancestral veneration (Bhishma), making it spiritually rich.

❓ FAQs

Q1. Why is the Amla tree worshipped on Amla Navami?

• Because the Amla tree is considered a manifestation of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Worshipping it is believed to bring both health and divine prosperity.

Q2. What offerings are made to the Amla tree?

• Ganga water, flowers, turmeric, roli, rice (akshat), and a ghee lamp. Devotees often circumambulate the tree.

Q3. Who was Bhishma Pitamah and why do we remember him?

• Bhishma Pitamah is a key figure from the Mahabharata, known for his great vow, wisdom, and devotion. His death anniversary is honored on Bhishma Ashtami.

Q4. What is Tarpan and why is it performed on Bhishma Ashtami?

• Tarpan is the ritual of offering water mixed with sesame and kusha grass to one’s ancestors (and to Bhishma). It is believed to bring peace to their souls and remove ancestral defects (Pitru Dosha).

Q5. Can one observe both Amla Navami and Bhishma Ashtami together?

• Yes. If both tithis align (as in this case), devotees can honor both practices — worship the Amla tree in the morning and perform ancestral rites / Bhishma puja later.