Significance of Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya is an auspicious occasion. The Sanskrit word 'Ak Shaya' means something that never diminishes, while Tritiya is the third lunar Day. Akshaya Tritiya thus means 'the third Day of never diminishing wealth.' Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third lunar Day of the bright fortnight of the Moon, in Vaishaka Month (April-May). Tradition believes it to be a propitious occasion for starting new ventures and making charities, and in the present times, for buying or making investments in precious items like gold.

Also known as Akha Teej and celebrated as a spring festival, it falls on May 10, 2024, this Year.

According to beliefs, Divine worship and Akshaya Tritiya Puja, especially to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, can earn her kind blessings for affluence and welfare.

Religious Significance

According to religious texts and legends, Akshaya Tritiya was when many significant events occurred.

Akshaya Tritiya marked the beginning of the Treta Yuga epoch.

It is also the birthday of Parashurama, the aggressive, axe-wielding Avatar of the Supreme Protector Vishnu.

It was on this occasion that the great sage Veda Vyasa started writing his celebrated epic Mahabharata.

Draupadi was the queen of the Pandavas. When the Pandavas lost the game of dice, their cousins, the Kauravas, divested them of their power and kingdom and sent them to the forest in exile. According to Mahabharata, Surya, the Sun God, bestowed the Divine vessel Akshaya Patra to the virtuous Draupati when they started for the forests. The vessel had the miraculous power to provide never-depleting food to them every Day so that they could never go hungry, even in the inhospitable jungles. Surya gave the fantastic gift of Akshaya Patra only on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, and it is one of the reasons that the auspicious Day got its name.

Ganga or Ganges, the holy river flowing in the heavens, descended on earth thanks to the stupendous efforts of Bhagiratha; that also happened only in Akshaya Tritiya.

Many are aware of the story of Krishna's poor friend Sudama, who came to see Krishna, the ruler of Dwaraka, and offered him rice flakes as his humble gift. This simple but thoughtful act pleased Krishna no end, who blessed Sudama in turn with bountiful wealth and joy. The Day Sudama made this offering to Krishna was also Akshaya Tritiya when Krishna bestowed him with unending wealth.

The famous Puri Rath Yatra, the chariot festival of Lord Jagannath of Puri, his brother and sister, begins only on this Day.

This occasion is so significant that people can perform Akshaya Tritiya Puja to receive Divine blessings.

Akshaya Tritiya Puja

Akshaya Tritiya is a sacred occasion which people can devote principally to prayers and charity.

As Akshaya Tritiya is closely associated with wealth and abundance, it remains a Day for worshiping the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi, and her consort, Vishnu. People can perform Akshaya Tritiya Puja by offering prayers to the Goddess, thanking her for her compassionate blessings, and seeking her grace for their prosperity and welfare. People can also chant devotional hymns, do meditation, and perform religious and spiritual activities, including cow feeding; the healthy can observe fasting on that Day.

Akshaya Tritiya Puja will be complete only with charity, as that occasion is considered ideal for donating food and extending all possible help to the poor and needy people.

People can conduct auspicious events like Grahapravesh and the housewarming ceremony on Akshaya Tritiya, and they can start any significant activity, like new business ventures.

Goddess Lakshmi represents wealth. So, people buy gold, silver, or precious items on that occasion, as they believe it can earn the Goddess' blessings for their plenty and prosperity.

Observing this auspicious occasion with religious fervor, performing Akshaya Tritiya Puja and other related activities can earn Lakshmi's enormous grace for wealth, prosperity, well-being, and happiness.