Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals. Falling on April 7 this year, this festival is considered extremely auspicious and is the best mahurat day for weddings. Holding immense cultural and religious significance, Akshay Tritiya is also known as Akha Teej.
Astronomically, the sun and the moon shine their brightest on this day. Akshaya Tritiya falls every year in the Shukla Paksha of the Vaishakh month.
This year, Akshaya Tritiya is all the more auspicious because the tithi coincides with Rohini Nakshatra.
Mythological Fables
This day is believed to be Lord Parshurams’s birth anniversary. Parshuram, who is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, reclaimed the land from sea as per our Vedic scriptures.
Another popular story goes that Kuber, an ardent devotee of Goddess Laxmi was rewarded generously by her with infinite wealth and prosperity on this day.
Ganga, after the relentless effort of Bhakt Bhagirath descended on Earth on this day. Lord Krishna’s devotees believed that Krishna’s childhood humble friend Sudama had visited him on this day. He brought along a bowl of poha (flattened rice). Worshippers observe fast on this day and break it with rice.
Another legend goes that the Goddess of food, Annapurna was born on this day. She is Parvati’s form and many people worship her on this day.
Akshaya Tritiya holds a great significance in Jainism as well. It was on this day that Tirthankar Rishabhdev broke his year long fast. Jains across the country observe this day by drinking sugarcane juice.
Another famous legend is that on this day, Ved vyas along with Lord Ganesh began the recital of the epic Mahabharat.
Cultural Significance
Beliefs
Akshaya Tritiya is considered very auspicious and pujas performed on this day bear manifold results. Prayers done in honest faith bring prosperity and wealth. Those with financial problems too are relieved of their stress. The compounded blessings of Laxmi and Kuber ensure a steady flow of income to the worshipper.
Business ventures taken up on this day are believed to be very fruitful. The house is filled with prosperity and the aspects of attracting more luck and wealth are augmented.
This day also bestows one with immense luck. Those seeking are blessed with parental bliss.
Rituals & Puja
It is a must for devotees to take a holy bath on the morning of Akshaya Tritiya. It is believed that by doing so, the soul gets purified of all the negativities within. River banks of Ganga, Yamuna, Kaveri, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna are thronged with devotees on this day to take a holy dip.
According to Bhagwad Gita, one should make offerings to their ancestors on this day. By doing this, the departed souls are freed of their sins and get closer to attaining salvation.
Lords Vishnu, Kuber and Laxmi are worshipped on this day and offerings are made in temples across states in India. Pujas performed on this day have the power to ward off all negativities and amend all the wrong effects that may have befallen on the worshipper.
On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, Ashwa Puja is specifically performed to ensure the well-being of family members and to bring positivity to the abode. Many consider it beneficial to worship the cow. It is a symbol of immense luck.
Satyanarayan puja and kathas are narrated to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
Grahapravesh Pujas are done on this day. People perform pujas at their offices and shops to ensure smooth flow of business. Havan and Vaastu shanti pujas are also performed on Akshaya Tritiya.
Traditions
According to older customs, people considered it highly auspicious to purchase gold on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. This day is also very propitious to invest in property or buy a house.
Weddings on this day are considered to culminate into everlasting bliss with the married couple being blessed with everlasting happiness and prosperity. Every single moment of this day is considered highly prosperous and weddings can be performed without any mahurat.
Today, people mark this occasion by purchasing anything, not necessarily gold jewellery. Many buy gold coins or simply utensils. People also buy and wear new clothes to be worn at the puja ceremony.
Donations and charity done today are very fruitful. Donation of food grains, fruits and vegetables brings about success and progress. For students, distributing chhaas and aam among the needy ensures smooth studies and success in examinations.
Peachmode wishes everyone a very blessed Akshaya Tritiya. May all of us be blessed with wealth and prosperity and the will to always strive for success in whatever we do. Browse through our special festive collection. Here’s our pick for you to make your puja ceremony all the more divine!
