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Akshaya means never diminishing in Sanskrit and the day is believed to bring good luck and success
India is shining once again, quite literally on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya which falls on the 21st of April this year. With sale of gold ornaments, the favourite precious metal with Indians, picking up across the country on the auspicious day, it wont be an exaggeration to say that all that glitters on this day is gold.
Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, took birth on Akshaya Tritiya
Indians, especially north Indians, believe that buying of precious metals would ensure year-long prosperity. As the saying goes, a good beginning makes a good end; hence the mad rush to buy precious metals, houses, cars and other valuables. So huge is the rush that huge discount sales are now a common feature at shopping malls and jewellery shops.
Astronomically speaking, Akshaya Tritiya is important as on this day sun and moon both are at the height of their brightness. The stellar phenomenon is observed once in a year in the month of Vaishakh (April-May) according to Hindu calendar and it falls on the third day of bright half of the month.
The day is also important as it is among the sadhe teen mahurats (three and a half-day) which are considered very auspicious and fit to commence all good things.
There are various stories associated with this day. According to Hindu mythology, it is the day Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, took birth. It is also the day when Lord Krishna gave Akshaya Pathram, a bowl of endless food, to Draupadi to save her from the fury of sage Durvasa.
It was also the day when Lord Ganesha, along with sage Vyas started writing the Mahabharat. It was on Akshaya Tritiya day when Sudama became rich after meeting Lord Krishna.
It is also the day when Kuber, the lord of wealth, himself worships Goddess Lakshmi. So it is considered to be important to pray to Lakshmi for wealth, Lord Krishna for moksha and Lord Shiva for health, marriage, and good fortune.
Preparations for Lord Jagannaths Rath Yatra also commences on the auspicious day
Despite its pan-Indian importance, the festival is celebrated in diverse ways across the country. In Orissa, farmers start preparations for planting their fields on this day. The whole family gathers on the field to worship the gods and then start ploughing.
Preparations for Lord Jagannaths Rath Yatra, better known as Puri car festival, also commences on this day. Rath Yatra is held to mark the occasion when Lord Jagannath along with his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra, comes out of their temple abode to make the annual journey to the Gundicha Mata temple.
In Uttar Pradesh, worship of Lord Krishna is the high point of Akshaya Tritiya celebrations. The main celebrations are held at the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. Krishnas symbolic lotus feet are displayed for devotees to have darshan, which happens only once in a year. The festival is also called Akha Teej. Getting darshan of Lord Krishnas lotus feet assures prosperity in life. It is believed that all wishes made to Lord Krishna will be granted on this day.
In Haryana, a huge fair is held at Adi Badri Temple on Akshaya Tritiya. The day is considered to one of the most auspicious and good time for any good work. Since the whole day is auspicious, it is not necessary to search for auspicious time to commence any good work. Hence, many Hindu couples choose this day to get married.
Akshaya Tritiya is among the sadhe teen mahurats considered very auspicious and fit to commence all good things
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