Introduction: Hindu festival ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ is a pious ceremony symbolizing the birth anniversary of lord Parshurama (the 6th incarnation of lord Vishnu). The day is also believed to be auspicious since Ved Vyas and lord Ganesha began calligraphic writing of epic Mahabharata. The sacred eve of Akshaya Tritiya opens the gate of auspiciousness, good luck and success. Thus, people celebrate this festival with heartiest delight by doing charity for getting bless through revering Akshaya Tritiya and Mrutika.
On matching Hindu and Jain calendars, some days fall short while some days are counted extra in the month but Akshay Tritiya is the only day that is never found omitted or discarded from the lunar calendar. The most auspicious day for Akshay Tritiya is considered to be the day falling on a Rohini star on Monday.
Etymology: ‘Akshay’ means infinite or never diminishing and the word ‘Tritiya’ connotes third.
Significance: Akshay Tritiya introduces auspiciousness and good luck into the work that we commence son this day. It is also an assumption that the new venture commenced on this day keeps on booming and reaping profit by leaps and bounds. Therefore, prosperity and good luck groom tucking hand in hand by enhancing the riches, luxuries and wealth. Some goldsmiths play nasty tricks by triggering the sale of golden ornaments for attracting prosperity and wealth.
Astrological significance: The three auspicious lunar days are called ‘Sade-Teen Muhurtas’. The first such occasion is regarded as Bright Half of Chaitra; second is tenth date of Bright Half of Ashvina (Vijay Dashami); third one is third day of Bright Half of Vaishakha or Akshaya Tritiya; and first day of Bright Half of Kartik. The foretold auspicious days form “Sade-teen (3 ½) Muhurtas”. Both celestial bodies, namely the Sun and moon, are housed at their most idealistic brightness on this day.
Other name: Akha Teej & Navanna Parvam
Occurrence: This joyous ceremony occurs on the third lunar day of bright half (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Vaishakha as per Hindu calendar.
Hinduism: The religious sentiments attached to this festival are reasoned for:
- The god of wisdom and obstacle-remover, i.e. Ganesha, began writing the greatest epic ‘Mahabharata’ while Ved Vyas dictated the epic.
- This festive eve is also dedicated to the preserver-god ‘lord Vishnu’.
- The birthday of sage Parashurama falls on the same day.
- Treta-Yug is supposed to be begun on this day.
- River Ganges descended to the pious earth from heaven on this very day.
- Devi Annapoorna was also born on this day.
- By the blessing of Lord Shiva, god Kubera and goddess Lakshmi got the custody of being the renderer of wealth and prosperity.
- Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, received the ‘Akshaya Patra’ for fulfilling the food related needs of starving people.
- The best buddy of lord Krishna, i.e. Sudama, paid a visit to his king friend on this day and fed Krishna with puffed ric.
- The day is also remembered since Duryodhana’s brother Dushasana attempted to disrespect Draupadi by unveiling her in the very view of royal court.
- Adi Shankara recited the Kanaka Dhara Strot on this day for the poor couple who did not have any food but gooseberry to serve as Bhiksha.
- Udiya peasants of Odisha do farming and make chariots for Rath Yatra that begins at Puri.
- People observe this day reserved for fasting and worshipping lord Vasudeva with the pious offering of rice grains.
- The provision of taking dip in the river ganges is considered to very auspicious.
- Doing charity brings cherish on the faces of the celebrants, especially on this day.
- People venture in the new business since this eve is renowned for establishing prosperity and riches.
- Opulent people invest money in gold and in property specifically on this day.
- The offering to the deity Vishnu consists of fan, rice, salt, ghee, sugar, vegetables, tamarind, fruits and clothes.
- The sanctified water of Tulsi is sprinkled on the statues erected in the temple of the house while performing Aarti.
- Bengalis performs, Halkhata-The ceremony of starting annals or audit books following to worshipping of Ganesha and goddess Lakshmi.
- Akshay Tritiya is an Unboojha Muhurat on which marriages are organized in mass ceremonies.
Jainism: Akshaya Tritiya is dedicated to lord Adinatha or Rishabhadeva who is the 24th Tirthankar for Jain people. They also adhere to fasting, called Varshi-Tap, and survive on penance and sugarcane juice.