Akshaya Tritiya

Significance

Akshaya tritiya is also called as ‘akhateej’. The word Akshaya means the immortal. Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated on the third tithi of brighter half in the lunar month Vaishakha. In Indian mythology Akshaya Tritiya has great importance. It is believed that the donations and auspicious ceremonies performed on this day have long lasting effects. This day is considered very auspicious for starting new projects auspicious for performing marriage ceremonies and for purchasing precious things.

In Hindu mythology this day is considered as a mark of success and well-being. This day is also called the day of sarva siddhi day. This day can be chosen to perform auspicious ceremonies by anybody without consulting any astrologer. It is also believed that if we pray to god with devotion and dedication on this day the sins done by us even the sins committed by our ancestors are forgiven by god. The native who worship god on this day with devotion and dedication is blessed with satva gun i.e truthfulness and righteousness.

As per Hindu electional astrology (Muhurta) three lunar days (tithis) are auspicious. These are called Sade-Teen Muhurtas also. These Tithis are first Tithi of Bright Half of Chaitra (starting of new year), tenth Tithi of Bright Half of Ashvina (Vijay Dashmi), third Tithi of Bright Half of Vaishakha (Akshay Tritiya- Parshu Jyanti) and first Tithi of Bright Half of Karttika are called “Sade-Teen (3 ½) Muhurt”. The first three tithis are counted as full and the last one as half Tithi and constitute Sade - Teen Muhurt. Sun and moon are astrologically believed to be at their most exalted equal brightness on this day.

Akshaya Tritiya is also called Navanna Parvam. Akshaya Tritiya falling on a Rohini star Monday is considered more auspicio

History

It is mentioned in our Puranas that ‘treta yuga’ started from Akshaya Tritiya. ‘Nara Narayana’ also incarnated on this day. Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of ‘Parashurama’ on this day. The doors of famous pilgrimage place ‘Badrinath’ also open for the darshan of devotees from this day after a gap of four months. The feet of ‘Sri Vighraha’ gets open for a darshan of devotees in the Famous ‘BANKE BIHARI TEMPLE’ situated in Vrindavan. Otherwise the feet of ‘Sri vighraha’ covered by clothes for the whole year. It is considered very auspicious to fast on Akshaya tritiya and to give donations on this day.

In Hinduism, Akshay Tritiya was the day when Vyasa started writing the history of the great Bharat war in the form of an epic Mahabharata. This day is symbolized by god Vishnu, the preserver-god in the Hindu Trinity. According to Hindu mythology, on this day the Treta Yuga began and the river Ganges, the most sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven.

It was on this day that Goddess Annapoorna devi was born.

Kubera received his wealth and position as custodian of wealth and property with Goddess Lakshmi on this day, by praying to Lord Shiva at Shivapuram.

It is traditionally observed as the birthday of Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of god Vishnu. The Puranic scriptures speak about how he reclaimed the land from the sea.

In Mahabharata, Yudhishtira receives the Akshaya patra, which he uses to serve food for all the needy in his kingdom.

It is on this day that poor Sudama, the best friend of Krishna visits Him (Lord Krishna) to greet Him after He became the King. With nothing to offer, Sudama takes with him Poha (puffed rice) and offers it to his friend and never discusses his poverty though he intends to. On his return he finds his hut changed to a palace.

It is on this day that Dushasana, Duryodhana's brother, unveils Draupadi at the royal court where Krishna protects her providing the 'unending' veil...

In more recent history, Adi Shankara recited the Kanaka Dhara Stotr on this day for the sake of the poor couple at whose house he stopped for Bhiksha and was offered their only available gooseberry.

Goa and Kerala regions, even today, are referred to as Parushurama Kshetra. Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of the bright-half of the lunar month of Vaisakha is considered one of the most sacred days of the year.

In Odisha, on Akshay Tritiya day, farmers start ploughing their land and construction of chariots for Rath Yatra begins at Puri.

This day is generally observed by fasting and worship of Lord Vasudeva with rice grains. A dip in the river Ganges on this day is considered to be very auspicious.

The Vedic scriptures[where?] say that knowledge gained or charity done on Akshay Tritiya is very fruitful. It is considered to be a very lucky day to start new business or venture. Many people buy gold or property on this day.

Fasts are kept on this day and pujas are performed. In charity, fan, rice, salt, ghee, sugar, vegetables, tamarind, fruit, clothes, are given. The god Vishnu is worshiped. Tulsi water is sprinkled in the nearby area of the idol while performing aarti.

In Bengal, on the day of the Akshay Tritiya, "HalKhata" - a ceremony to start the new audit book is performed - with the worship of Ganesha and goddess Lakshmi. Bengalis perform many rites and rituals on this day.

This day is most auspicious day for the Jat farming community. Early morning, a male member of a Jat family goes to the field with a shovel. All the animals and birds encountered on the way to the field are omens and predictions for rains and crops. Akshay Tritiiya is an occasion for weddings, which are conducted in mass ceremonies. It is considered an unboojha muhurat.

It is believed that god Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, is the richest deity. Lakshmi Tantram says that even Kubera will pray to goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and consort of Vishnu, on Akshay Tritiya. A day-long Kubera Lakshmi Puja is performed in which an image of Lakshmi is worshiped with Sudarsana Kubera Yantra, symbolising Kubera.

On Akshay Trutiya, a king or those who have the responsibility of taking care of the subjects, should perform ‘puja’, with gratitude and devotion, of the picture of ‘Vaibhav-Lakshmi’ with Sree Vishnu as it helps to make the subjects happy and prosperous. "We are not graced by ‘Goddess Lakshmi’ as she is the divine energy (shakti) of Sree Vishnu. How can His ‘divine energy’ come here and bless us if Sree Vishnu is not invited? Therefore, before worshiping Sree Lakshmi in any of her forms, first invite Sree Vishnu and then invite Sree Lakshmi as the worshiper gets maximum benefit of Lakshmi-tattva" (principle). In Hinduism, Akshay Tritiya was the day when Vyasa started writing the history of the great Bharat war in the form of an epic Mahabharata. This day is symbolized by god Vishnu, the preserver-god in the Hindu Trinity. According to Hindu mythology, on this day the Treta Yuga began and the river Ganges, the most sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven.

It was on this day that Goddess Annapoorna devi was born.

Kubera received his wealth and position as custodian of wealth and property with Goddess Lakshmi on this day, by praying to Lord Shiva at Shivapuram.

It is traditionally observed as the birthday of Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of god Vishnu. The Puranic scriptures speak about how he reclaimed the land from the sea.

In Mahabharata, Yudhishtira receives the Akshaya patra, which he uses to serve food for all the needy in his kingdom.

It is on this day that poor Sudama, the best friend of Krishna visits Him (Lord Krishna) to greet Him after He became the King. With nothing to offer, Sudama takes with him Poha (puffed rice) and offers it to his friend and never discusses his poverty though he intends to. On his return he finds his hut changed to a palace.

It is on this day that Dushasana, Duryodhana's brother, unveils Draupadi at the royal court where Krishna protects her providing the 'unending' veil...

In more recent history, Adi Shankara recited the Kanaka Dhara Stotr on this day for the sake of the poor couple at whose house he stopped for Bhiksha and was offered their only available gooseberry.

Goa and Kerala regions, even today, are referred to as Parushurama Kshetra. Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of the bright-half of the lunar month of Vaisakha is considered one of the most sacred days of the year.

In Odisha, on Akshay Tritiya day, farmers start ploughing their land and construction of chariots for Rath Yatra begins at Puri.

This day is generally observed by fasting and worship of Lord Vasudeva with rice grains. A dip in the river Ganges on this day is considered to be very auspicious.

The Vedic scriptures[where?] say that knowledge gained or charity done on Akshay Tritiya is very fruitful. It is considered to be a very lucky day to start new business or venture. Many people buy gold or property on this day.

Fasts are kept on this day and pujas are performed. In charity, fan, rice, salt, ghee, sugar, vegetables, tamarind, fruit, clothes, are given. The god Vishnu is worshiped. Tulsi water is sprinkled in the nearby area of the idol while performing aarti.

In Bengal, on the day of the Akshay Tritiya, "HalKhata" - a ceremony to start the new audit book is performed - with the worship of Ganesha and goddess Lakshmi. Bengalis perform many rites and rituals on this day.

This day is most auspicious day for the Jat farming community. Early morning, a male member of a Jat family goes to the field with a shovel. All the animals and birds encountered on the way to the field are omens and predictions for rains and crops. Akshay Tritiiya is an occasion for weddings, which are conducted in mass ceremonies. It is considered an unboojha muhurat.

It is believed that god Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, is the richest deity. Lakshmi Tantram says that even Kubera will pray to goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and consort of Vishnu, on Akshay Tritiya. A day-long Kubera Lakshmi Puja is performed in which an image of Lakshmi is worshiped with Sudarsana Kubera Yantra, symbolising Kubera.

On Akshay Trutiya, a king or those who have the responsibility of taking care of the subjects, should perform ‘puja’, with gratitude and devotion, of the picture of ‘Vaibhav-Lakshmi’ with Sree Vishnu as it helps to make the subjects happy and prosperous. "We are not graced by ‘Goddess Lakshmi’ as she is the divine energy (shakti) of Sree Vishnu. How can His ‘divine energy’ come here and bless us if Sree Vishnu is not invited? Therefore, before worshiping Sree Lakshmi in any of her forms, first invite Sree Vishnu and then invite Sree Lakshmi as the worshiper gets maximum benefit of Lakshmi-tattva" (principle).

If one is unable to find auspicious time for the marriage throughout the year he can fix the day of marriage on this day without asking any astrologer. In other words if a person is not getting any auspicious time for marriage on account of planetary position in his horoscope he can fix this day for performing marriage ceremony. Performing marriage ceremonies on this day gives longevity to matrimonial life. This is the reason due to which thousands of marriages takes place on this day in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Orrisa and Bengal.

Akshaya Tritiya as an auspicious day

This day is called as ‘sarva siddhi Muhurat’ means a very auspicious time in Hindu philosophy and culture. As per Hindu culture one can perform any auspicious ceremony like marriage, house warming ceremony etc on this day. It is also believed that if one purchases gold or other precious items, land and property or vehicle it will be very benefic. This day is also very auspicious for starting any new organization or wearing new clothes. Thus any auspicious activity started on this day has a long lasting effect.

It is believed that if the wishes are not being fulfilled even after proper astrological remedies and those who are having constant losses in their business if they start any new activity on this day it will give auspicious results.

It there is lack of money even after proper earning, lack of peace in family, problems related to children, problems due to enemies one should fast on ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ and make donations as per their capacities. This will give very good results.

Determination of Date

This festival is celebrated on Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya falling during Purvahana (before Noon). If Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya falls on two days during Purvahana then it is celebrated on the second day. In case it does not fall during Purvahana (Purvahana means period between 3 & 6 Muhurtha) on any day then it is celebrated on first day.

How to Celebrate

The donations, pilgrimages, japas and homas performed on this day give multifold results than the japa and homas done on any other ordinary day. That is why it is called as Akhsaya Tritiya.

If somebody’s daughter is not getting married even after proper efforts than performing ‘ghat dan’ and reciting ‘sri sukta strotam’ or’ Parvati mangal strotam’ can give early marriage and removes obstacles. Worldly activities can be initiated during currency of this Tithi, however, aspirants must ensure that duration is not sullied by concurrence of malefic times observed according to the Hindu electional principles, and the moments are favourable to the doer by transits of the planets and the like. Aspirants are cautioned against using this Tithi blindly for initiating and conducting all types of life activities. Auspiciousness of the Tithis for specific activity depends upon simultaneous presence of Panchangam Shuddhi, Muhurt Yogas and host of other elements of Hindu electional astrology.

Starting a new activity or buying valuables on Akshaya Tritiya is considered to bring luck and success. The religious merit that is acquired by giving gifts on this day is considered inexhaustible. Many buy new gold jewelry on Akshaya Tritiya.

Most jewelry stores stock in new models for this occasion with "Lakshmi-inscribed" gold coins, diamond jewelry and golden dollars with the pictures of many gods and goddesses. There are vigorous campaign conducted by banks, jewelry shops and financial institutions, thus Akshay Tritiya has gained prominence. Although modern retailers are exploiting the materialistic urge in people, there is today a very high awareness regarding Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej.

On Akshaya Tritiya, Big Yatra at Shirwal (Khandal, Satara) start one day from Shivjayanti.

Akshay Tritiya Vrat (Fast)
(For appeasing the deceased ancestors and getting glory)

It is considered most auspicious day for appeasing the spirits of ancestors and for getting unlimited glory. It is considered most auspicious day because whatever auspicious activities and charities are performed on this day do not go in vain. This is the reason why all auspicious deeds like new business, buying new land, house, inauguration of an institute, marriage or Homa etc. are performed and started on this day. It is a matchless fast of Goddess which has the power to eradicate all sins and by observing it everything can be achieved easily.

Method of Observing Akshay Tritiya Vrat

This fast is observed on the Tritiya of bright half of Vaishakh. One should worship Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi on this day. In the morning after having bath one should start worshipping God by offering leaves of basil (tulsi plant) with sugarcandy. Donate the favourite articles with oblation among the devotees. Donate barley on this day which is considered the king of grains. After that read Akshay Tritiya Vrata Katha. Chant following mantra 108 times on a Tulsi rosary.