Akshay Tritiya is an auspicious Hindu festival celebrated annually on the third lunar day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Vaishakha. It holds significant religious and astrological importance in Hinduism and Jainism. The word “Akshay” means eternal or never diminishing in Sanskrit, signifying the belief that any activity undertaken on this day will bring continued prosperity and good fortune.
Akshaya Tritiya:
Akshaya Tritiya, is also known as Aksha Teej, is an annual Hindu festival celebrated in India and Nepal. It falls on the third lunar day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Vaishakha (usually in late April or early May). It is believed to be the most favourable day to start anything new.
This beautiful day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and faith by devotees to worship Lord Vishnu for never-ending wealth, health, and happiness. It involves fasting, pujas, havans, charity, and various other religious activities as a part of ritual.
Hindus celebrate this day by worshipping Lakshami Narayan form of Lord Vishnu, Lord Kuber, and the Goddess Lakshami.
Akshaya Tritiya falls on a day when both the Sun and the Moon are in exalted positions, which is considered highly auspicious in Hindu astrology. It’s believed that any activities initiated on this day yield long-lasting benefits.
Many people consider Akshaya Tritiya as an auspicious day to start new ventures, invest in gold or other assets, or conduct important ceremonies like weddings, housewarming ceremonies, or buying property. It’s believed that any charitable acts or spiritual practices performed on this day bring manifold benefits.
Akshaya Tritiya also marks the beginning of the agricultural season in many parts of India. Farmers begin sowing seeds and undertaking agricultural activities, symbolizing the start of a fruitful and prosperous year.
Devotees also visit temples, perform rituals, and offer prayers to deities seeking blessings for prosperity, success, and happiness. It’s a day marked by optimism, positivity, and the belief in the abundance of life.
The festival has several reasons to celebrate for Hindus of which some of them are:
- Akshaya Tritiya marks the birth anniversary of Lord Parasuram, who is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that he was born on this day to free the world from the oppression of the Kshatriyas rulers.
- Another event linked to the day is Sudama’s visit to his childhood friend, Krushna in Dwarka, when he received unlimited wealth as boon.
- It is believed that the sage Vyasa began reciting the Hindu epic Mahabharat to the Lord Ganesh on Akshaya Tritiya.
- It is also believed that the river Ganges descended to earth on this day. The Yamunotri Temple and Gangotri Temple are opened on this auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya during the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage, after closing down during heavy snowfall-laden winters of the Himalayan regions. The temples are opened on Ahijit Muhurat or Akshaya Tritiya.
- According to Hindu Mythology it is believed to be the beginning of “Tret Yug” (second of the four Yugs or ages).
Significance of Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya holds significant cultural, religious, and spiritual importance in Hindu tradition. It is mentioned in ancient texts like the Mahabharat and the Purans, where it is associated with various auspicious events and legendary tales. For example, it is believed that the Pandvs received the Akshaya Patra, a never-ending vessel of food, from Lord Krushna on this day during their exile.
Akshaya Tritiya falls on a day when both the Sun and the Moon are in exalted positions, according to Hindu astrology. This celestial alignment is believed to enhance the positive energies and auspiciousness of the day, making it an ideal time for new beginnings and endeavors.
Hindus believe that performing virtuous deeds, acts of charity, or spiritual practices on Akshaya Tritiya yields immense spiritual merit. Therefore, many devotees engage in religious rituals, prayers, and acts of charity on this day to accumulate positive karma and blessings.
Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated with different names in different localities. For example, in Chhattisgarh it is known as “Akti” to seek blessings for the Kharif season whereas in Gujarat and Rajasthan it is referred as “Akhatreej”. Akshaya Tritiya is a beautiful tithi of the Hindu calendar holding various mythological stories that make the festival even more mystical and divine.
Overall, Akshaya Tritiya is a time of optimism, renewal, and spiritual upliftment for Hindus, symbolizing the eternal flow of blessings and prosperity in life.
