Akshaya Tritiya
The Golden Day celebrated by Hindus and Jains
The word “akshaya” literally means eternal or unfading in Sanskrit and “tritiya” means third which in the present context denotes the third day of the lunar fortnight. Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, is a very auspicious festival for both Hindus and Jains. It is observed on the third day of the waxing moon in the month of Vaishakha. This year, it falls on Tuesday, May 3. The muhurtam or auspicious time is from 5.49 am to 12.13 pm. Even though this timing is given it is also said that any auspicious venture which is started on this day will be free of all negative influences. This day is free from all bad effects. The benefits of doing japa, yajna, pitru tarpana and any form of charity on this day will remain with the person forever.
Events like marriage, housewarming, inauguration of a business or a shop will always prosper if done on this day. There is a popular belief that purchasing gold on Akshaya Tritiya brings prosperity and more wealth in the future. Thus, Akshaya Tritiya is considered a Golden Day by both Hindus and Jains. This festival is mostly celebrated by these two religions and is therefore not considered as a public holiday, nor is it celebrated anywhere else in the world. Akshaya Tritiya is also considered an auspicious day by Vedic astrologers, as it is free of all negativity. According to Hindu Astrology, the three lunar days of Ugadi, Akshaya Tritiya, and Vijayadashami do not require any muhurta to begin or complete any auspicious work because they are free of all evil influence. These are called sade-teen muhurtas.
In Sanskrit, “akshaya” means never diminishing. It is believed that charity done on this day brings enormous benefits.
As has been mentioned above, Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of the Vaishakha month when the sun gives maximum heat and brightness. This year it is considered to be doubly auspicious since it falls on the Rohini nakshatram (star). Astrologically, it is considered the perfect day to start any new endeavour. It is assumed that any type of business will grow and become more prosperous.
As usual there are many legends connected with this day. Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity of this day. Treta Yuga is said to have started on this day. Lakshmi and Vishnu should be worshiped together on this day in order to get maximum benefit. This was the day when Lord Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu was born. It was on this day that he threw his axe far out to the sea and recovered the land which is known today as Kerala. Pujas are performed on this day to Lakshmi and Vishnu to show our gratitude.
It is said that this was the day when Lord Ganesha started writing the Mahabharata which was being dictated to him by Veda Vyasa. It is also considered to be the day when the River Ganga – the most sacred river of India – descended on Earth from heaven.
Another story goes that it was on this day that Draupadi received the unending “pot of plenty” known as the “Akshaya Patra” with which she was able to feed all the people who had followed her husband to the forest.
It is also the day when the old brahmin, Sudama, who had studied with Lord Krishna visited him and later received enormous monetary benefits.
At Puri Jagannath Mandir in Odisha the Chandanotsavam is performed for Lord Jagannath. The construction of the wooden chariots for the Ratha Yatra also begins on this day.
It is said that it was on this day that Lord Shiva declared Kubera to be the God of wealth and Lakshmi as the Goddess of wealth.
Annapurna, the Goddess of food was born on this day. She is actually Parvati and it is said that she gave food to Shiva on this day when he approached her with a begging bowl in his hand.
In the Arasar Koil (mandir) in Tamil Nadu, Ganesha is seen sitting in front of the Mahalakshmi sanctum and is known as Akshaya Vinayaka. This is because he is said to have given the “Akshaya Patra” or bowl of plenty to Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Garuda was worshipping Lakshmi in this mandir and she turned the bowl to gold and gave it to Garuda. Garuda then did tapas to the sun god, Surya and offered him food in the golden bowl.
In Jainism, this day is worshiped as “Ahar Charya” in which food is prepared and served to Jain Monks. This day is celebrated to commemorate the one-year fast of Tirthankara Rishabhanatha. Sugar cane juice is poured into his cupped hands and drunk as prasad by devotees.
There are some rituals to be performed on this day. As usual with all Hindu festivals, the morning begins with cleaning the house. After this a bath is taken in some holy river if possible and prayers are then offered to Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi. Tulsi leaves and flowers are used for puja. Of course kheer or other sweets are also offered as prasad. One of the most important things on this day is to give food to the poor. This is known as “annadhanam” which is always extolled in Hinduism as the greatest of all charities.
The mandir of Kedarnathji in the Himalayas always opens on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya every year.
Even though Hinduism tells us to avoid running after money yet we see that with its usual magnanimity and understanding of the human psychology, it also has festivals connected with the gaining of material wealth. But again this goes hand in hand with spiritual wealth and as we see prayers and pujas are offered to both Lakshmi and Vishnu – the perfect blend of spirituality and auspiciousness.
Hari Aum Tat Sat!