Akshay Tritiya

Tritiya denotes the third day of the moon’s phase, which occurs both after new moon and full moon days. Akshay Tritiya is a day that follows the new moon day, which phase is known as ‘suklapaksha’ implicating growing moon, while Akshaya is the term to depict ever growing and eternal phenomenon. This day occurs in the month of Vaishaka of Hindu Calendar of a particular order, considered as an auspicious days among four such days in the year for Hindu.

Akshay Tritiya is the day which bears little other significance, which include the birth of a Lord Parasuram, the seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu, the day on which Lord Ganesha started scripting Mahabharat epic as dictated by Saint Vyas, etc

More than these significances, astrologically it is said to be an auspicious day, as explained in Madanratna, a holy text, when one can procure gold on this day, any time of the day, without looking for any particular auspicious time.

It is on this day, many Jewellery shops are terribly busy in a year, as most of the Hindus throng to buy their ornaments on this day.

History

There are a number of legends and historical events said about Akshay Tritiya day, which convey

• that it was on this particular day the Holy River Ganga descended from heaven to offer prosperity to the  world
• Sudama the child hood friend of Lord Krishna visited him when he was granted wealth in abundance as Lord Krishna started eating the beaten rice he had brought for him
• Lord Jagannath’s Chandanotsavam function was commenced at Puri on this day, which is an indication of prosperity and Rath Yatra there began on this day.

The legends also include information of Lord Krishna giving Akshay Patram to Draupadi, Lord Parashuram’s birth day and Veda Vyas commencing the Epic Mahabharat, making the day significant.

Significance of the Festival

According to Hindu Astrologers, three and a half days occurring in Lunar Phase during a year are considered important. These days are also referred as Sade Teen Muhurats and they are

• The first day ( Prathama ) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the moon in the month Chaitra, which marks the commencement of the new year
• The tenth day( Dasami ) of the bright half(Shukla Paksha)  of the month Ashvina, which is Vijaya Dasami
• The third day (Tritiya)of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month Vaishaka, which is Akshay Tritiya or Parshu Jayanthi
• The first day (Prathama) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month Karthika, which is taken as half a day of auspicious nature.

Members of Hindu faith, take up new activities on this day so that prosperity will ensue, they also believe that charity done on these days will fetch them all goodness in life. Many homes feed poor and needy with Curd rice on this principle.

Members of Jain faith, consider Akshay Tritiya as the most sacred and auspicious day, because Lord Rishabhadeva, also known as Lord Adinatha, renounced worldly activities and started meditating for about 6 months without any food, while on this day he broke his fast by taking meager food. It is on this account the ‘aharacharya’ methodology of preparing and serving food emerged among Jains.

Observations of the Festival

Farmers commence their tilling or ploughing of the land on Akshay Tritiya day, particularly in regions like Orissa.

Devoted Hindus do observe fasting on this day and offer rice to Lord Vasudeva. They also feed poor with Curd rice.Ritualistic Hindus offer prayers to their ancestors with oblations of water added with Sesame seeds.

Almost all the people who have faith on this phenomenon do purchase an item of gold, mostly Jewelry, on Akshay Tritiya day.  In some section of the society, they make it a point to offer donations to charitable causes on this day. They believe more they give on this day, more they gain.

Generally,  recital of divine names , observing penance, giving charity, taking ritualistic bath, sacrifices by raising fire are all advocated for observation on Akshay Tritiya day.

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