Akshaya Tritiya: Importance, Rituals & Date

Importance of Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya is an Indian festival celebrated annually on the third day or lunar tithi of the Hindu month of Vaishakh (April/May). The word 'Akshaya' means 'eternal' or 'never diminishing' and symbolises eternal wealth, success and prosperity. This particular day is known to be auspicious and holy for starting new ventures, or setting foot into any new work. In fact, this day is perfect for buying gold, making investments, and setting up businesses. Also, it is considered a good muhurta to conduct puja, jaap and other Hindu rituals. These festivals is also known as Akha Teej.

In the Jain religion, too, we observe it as Akshaya Tritiya Jainism, also known as “Varshi Tapa”. It is a ritual where Aahaar, or food, is served to the Jain monks. This is dedicated to the first Tirthankara or first aahaar-charya of Jain Lord Rishabhadeva.

Akshaya Tritiya Significance

The festival of Akshaya Tritiya holds a special significance in Hindu mythology. According to Hindu legends, it is believed that this day marks the beginning of the Hindu epic 'Mahabharata' and the day when Lord Vishnu blessed King Yudhishthira with Akshaya Patra, an unlimited vessel that would give him unlimited food.

In addition to the Akshaya Tritiya spiritual significance, Akshaya Tritiya is also an important day for the business community, particularly in India, where buying gold and making investments are considered to bring good luck and prosperity. Many people purchase gold and other valuables on this day to symbolise their commitment to wealth and success. Such is the Akshaya Tritiya importance.

Apart from these, Akshaya Tritiya is also a time for performing charity and making donations. It is believed that humanitarian acts performed on this day will bring eternal blessings and good fortune. People often donate food, clothes, and money to those in need and visit temples to offer prayers and perform rituals. Akshaya Tritiya meaning stands true through the auspiciousness it holds.

Akshaya Tritiya History

Akshaya Tritiya has a lot of ancient incidents and mythological references marked on its name. Let us go through them one by one.

Akshaya Trititya marks two important events of the legend “Mahabharata”. Firstly, on this tithi or time, Lord Ganesha sat to write the story of Mahabharata while rishi Ved Vyas dictated it to him. Secondly, Lord Vishnu gifted “Akshaya Patra”, an unlimited food vessel, to Lord Yudhishthira during his 12 years of exile with other Pandavas and Draupadi.
It is believed that Goddess Ganga marked her incredible journey to earth on Akshaya Tritiya. It descended from Lord Shiva’s head.
Lord Kuber, the banker of all Gods, was given this designation since he worshipped Goddess Laxmi religiously.
The goddess or ultimate power over food, grains, and nourishment, Mata Annapurna, took birth on Akshaya Tritiya. Mata Annapurna is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati.
This day also marks the incident when poor Sudama, Lord Krishna’s friend, somehow managed to visit his palace. Lord Krishna washed his legs, took care of him and gifted him and his family with money and other luxuries.
Lord Parshurama, the God of Justice, and the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu was born in Akshaya Tritiya. He was born on earth, as a human, to princess Renuka and Brahman sage Jamadagni.
The day as mentioned earlier, also remembers the Jain Lord Rishabhadeva or Lord Aadinath and is celebrated as the Varshi Tapa festival in Jainism. King Rishabhadeva left all his worldly possessions and left his palace to set out his karma. He remained empty stomach for six months and performed deep meditation. People were not aware of his process, and as a result, he did not get any food for almost a year. Later, King Shreyansa from Hastinapur recognised him and offered him his first Aahaar or Tirthankara.

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Some lesser-known Akshaya Tritiya facts

Akshaya Tritiya celebration’s impact can be felt from the sacred history it holds. But here are some more facts that must be read and remembered for the divinity this festival brings.

On 16th May 1953, a day of Akshaya Tritiya, Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of ISKCON, formed an Indian community called the “League of devotees”.
In Remuna, Orissa, there exists an auspicious temple called Kshira-Chora Gopinatha where the statues of the three deities, Madana-Mohana, Govinda and Gopinatha are worshipped with sandalwood pulp and camphor on Akshaya Tritiya.
During winters, the great Badrinath Temples, Gangotri and Yamunotri, Uttarakhand, remain closed. It is only open on Akshaya Tritiya for the devotees.
Kumbakonam, a temple complex in Tamilnadu, celebrates the Garuda Vahana Seva on Akshaya Tritiya. Garuda was a bird carrier of Lord Vishnu and is considered the leader of all birds.
The famous Ratha Yatra of the Jagannath Puri Temple, Odisha, has its three chariots built newly every year from the day of Akshaya Tritya. The chariots are named Jagannath (Nandighosha), Baladeva (Taladvaja) and Subhadra (Darpadalana). Thus, the divine journey begins with the Akshaya Tritiya celebration.
Simhachalam, a temple in Andhra Pradesh, is the place where Lord Narsimha resided. The deity’s statue is always covered with sandalwood paste, which is only removed for Abhishekam or bathing of the deity by milk on Akshya Tritiya, i.e. 11 days after his birth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Akshaya Tritiya is a day of great importance for Hindus all over the world. It is a time for starting new ventures, making investments, and performing charitable acts to bring blessings and prosperity. Celebrated with joy and enthusiasm, Akshaya Tritiya is a celebration of life, wealth, and success.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Devotees keep fast in the name of Lord Vishnu. In the morning, aarti is performed, and Tulsi water is sprinkled around the deity’s statue and also distributed along with Prashada. Later, food and clothes are donated to the poor and the needy. And then, it ends with the evening aarti with some offerings and mantra chanting.

Any Hindu festival does not allow eating non-veg on the day of a festival. Likewise, considering the auspiciousness that Akshaya Tritiya holds, the devotees are advised to avoid any form of animal meat or non-veg on this day. Only Saatvik Bhog, i.e. without onion and garlic, are allowed to consume.

Akshaya Tritya is a famous festival of the Hindus and the Jains. In the Hindu religion, fast or vrat is kept in the name of Lord Vishnu, and it is considered a time of a new beginning, purchasing new items and charitable activities. While in Jainism, Jain monks are invited and served food to celebrate Lord Rishabhadeva.

Akshaya Tritya is considered an auspicious event in Hinduism and Jainism. It is celebrated with full joy and zeal to get the blessings of Lord Shiva in the Hindu religion and commemorate the deeds of Lord Rishabadeva in the Jain religion.

Akshay Trityiya is called gold because it is considered a great time to buy items of gold. It is believed to be a time that maintains happiness, wealth and prosperity in a family. It is also considered to bring luck and fortune.

A bottle of Ghee, sugar, grain, fruits, vegetables, clothes and money is donated on the day of Akshay Trititya. It is considered to please the deity if it is donated to the poor after the aarti.