Importance of Akshaya Tritiya, Significance of Akshaya Tritiya
What is Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej
Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej is the name of a day in the Hindu Calendar which is considered to be one of the most auspicious days in the year. Akshaya Tritiya is one among the four days of the year which are considered auspicious.
The other three days being Ugadi or Gudi Padva, Vijaydasami or Dassera or Dusshera and Bali Pratipada.
Meaning of Akshaya Tritya or Akha Teej
Akshaya is a Sanskrit word which means infinite or the one that would never end.
Tritiya or Teej is also a Sanskrit word which means third.
When is Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej
As the name suggests it is the third(Tritiya) day of the Vaishaka Month of the Hindu Lunar Calendar. Akshaya Tiritiya or Akha Teej falls on the bright half phase or the waxing phase of the moon in the month of Vaishaka. As per the lunar calendar it falls on the Sukla Paksha Vaishaka or Vaisaka Masam.
If the Akshaya Tritiya happens to fall on a Monday or coincides with the Rohini Nakshatram(star) it is considered highly auspicious.
Significance of Akshaya Tritiya
The sun and the Moon are in the highest position on this day or at an exalted position and are at the peak of their brightness.
As the name suggests any ritual that is performed on this day would result in an infinite return of virtue(Akshaya).
It is also believed that Akshaya Tritiya is a day where every second is auspicious and one need to look for a Muhurat to start a new venture, business, trade or anything.
Events on Akshaya Tritiya
It is believed that Sage Parasurama the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu was born on Akshaya Tiritiya.
The sacred River Ganga is believed to have descended to earth on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.
Lord Kubera was made the Treasurer of Gods on Akshaya Tritiya and his is also known as the God of wealth.
Lord Maha Lakshmi was also bestowed with wealth on Akshaya Tritiya by Lord Shiva. She is known as the Goddess of wealth.
Lord Ganesha is believed to have started to write the great epic Mahabharat while Veda Vyasa was dictating the same.
Goddess Annapurna is believed to be born on Akshaya Tritiya.
Kanakadhara stotra was recited by Sri Adi Shankaracharya on Akshaya Tritiya.
King Yudhishtara the eldest of Pandavas received the Akshaya Patra from Lord Krishna.
Satya Yuga is believed to have started on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.
Legend of Akshaya Tritiya
It is believed that Sudhama visited Lord Krishna on this day. The intention of Sudhamas visit was to ask help from Krishna as Sudhamas was poor. But Sudhama was unable to ask help. Sudhama took with him Poha for offering it to Lord Krishna but feels shy to offer the same. But Krishna gets the Poha from him and grants him immense wealth. It was on Akshaya Tritiya that Sudhama was granted immense wealth.
Rituals on Akshaya Tritiya
Orissa
Akshaya Tritiya is an Agricultural festival. Sowing of seeds is started on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.
The Chandan Yatra of the Lord Jaganatha begins on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. Carpentars start building the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balbadhra and Subadhra on Akshaya Tritiya.
Rajasthan
Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated as Akha Teej and considered very auspicious. People believe that getting married on the day of Akshaya Tritiya would make the lives of the married couple a happy and prosperous married life. Child marriages are performed on the day of Akshaya Tritiya and government is trying its level best to advice the people against the same.
General
Buying of Gold on Akshaya Tritiya is believed to be highly auspicious and to make one more wealthier, hence there would be a lot of rush in the gold shops on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.
People would perform Japa,Tapa and Dana on Akshaya Tritiya, as any ritual performed on the day of Akshaya Tritiya would bring infinite returns.
Many people would prefer to start their work on Akshaya Tritiya as it is believed that any work that is started on the day of Akshaya Tritiya would be successful.
Jains would observe a fast on the day of Akshaya Tritiya and few end the fast by drinking Sugar Cane juice.
Things to do on Akshaya Tritiya
1) Perform Pujas, Tapas, Japas and Danas i.e worshipping, penance, chanting the name of the lord and donations are to be performed on Akshaya Tritiya
2) Donating of food and other essential items would fetch immense virtue.
3) Paying of homage to the deceased ancestors is considered auspicious
The Char Dham yatra or Badri Kedar Yatra starts on the day of Akshaya Tritiya
People would worship Lord Vasudeva with rice grains on Akshaya Tritiya
People would also perform the Kubera Lakshmi Puja on the day of AKshaya Tritiya
Presiding Deity of Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej
Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity on Akshaya Tritiya and hence worshipping Lord Vishnu would bring immense virtue.
Other Names of Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya is also known as Akha Teej.
Akshaya Tritiya is also known as Navanna Parvam
