Akshaya Tritiya also called Akti or Akha Teej is a highly auspicious day for Hindus and Jains. Being the annual springtime festival for the Hindu and Jain communities, it is believed to be a favourable day to begin a new venture. This sacred festival falls on the third lunar day of Shukla Paksha of Vaishakha month and it is celebrated with great gusto all across the country. It is falling on 18th April in the year 2018.
According to Indian culture, Akshaya Tritiya is believed to be the birthday of the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, Parasurama. In his honour, few devotees refer this festival as Parasurama Jayanti. The Jain culture believed this day as the commemoration of the first Tirthankara’s completing his one-year asceticism by consuming sugarcane juice. This auspicious day is marked by fasting and charity. This day is believed to be promising for new beginnings, marriages, and any expensive investments such as in property or gold. This day is also considered important for women.
Significance of Akshya Tritiya
The excitement surrounding this sacred festival has its roots in mythology as numerous auspicious events are believed to have had occurred on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.It is believed that the sacred river Ganga descended on earth from heaven on this day. The name of this festival holds its importance. Akshaya means immortal or never-ending. It is believed that whatever is performed on this day is indestructible and grows with time. Hence, this day is considered favourable for starting new important ventures.
The well-time of Akshaya Tritiya is also regarded as a Sarve Siddha mahurat. It is believed that on this day, Sun and the moon, both the godly planets are at their exaltation point astrologically. Since the Sun and Moon are in their most radiant phase, this day is considered as one of the luckiest days by Hindus. It is believed that on this day the treasurer of all deities, Kubera worshipped Goddess Lakshmi and received a gift of eternal prosperity and wealth. That is why this day is considered lucky for buying gold or investing in any property.
This day also marks the victory of good over evil. On this day, Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura after a fierce battle of ten days. As per Puranas, Akshaya Tritiya symbolizes the birth of the Treta Yuga and Satya Yuga respectively. This festival is of great significance for couples. An incarnation of Lord Shiva, God Sundaresa got married to Goddess Madhura on this day. Therefore, it is believed that couples with mismatched horoscopes must tie knots on this day to get rid of all the negativity and to achieve longevity.
Rituals performed on the day of Akshaya Tritiya
The golden day of Akshaya Tritiya revolves around a lot of activities performed for the ultimate good of the family and one’s own self. Gold markets keep buzzing with people searching for gold jewellery or gold coins. As gold symbolizes good fortune and wealth, buying this is considered pious on this day.
In Maharashtra, Akshaya Tritiya holds major importance among women folk. Married women exchange symbols of marriage, Haldi, and Kumkum and worship Goddess Gauri, who symbolizes marital bliss, for the longevity of their husbands. The idol of Goddess Gauri is installed in the home and women offer fruits, flowers, and prayers to the deity. Devotees from eastern India mark this day as the first ploughing day for the upcoming harvest season.Businesspersons pay regards to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi before commencing a new audit book for the upcoming financial year.
Lord Krishna is embalmed with sandalwood paste on this religious day from their devotees. Devotees believe that after performing this ritual, they are bound to reach the heaven after death. In Jainism, this holy day is marked as the completion of their year-long tapasya and they end their worship by drinking sugarcane juice. Other rituals performed on this day involve performing spiritual activities, taking a holy bath in the Ganges, chanting holy mantras, offering barley into a sacred fire, meditation, making donations and offerings are considered important to ensure good fortune in the future.
