Akshay Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya, which falls on the third day of the bright half of the pan Indian lunar month of Vaishakha of the traditional Hindu calendar, is one of the most important days of the year for the Hindus.

 Also known as Akha Teej or Navanna Parvam, it's in the month of late April or early May .It is an auspicious day of the birthday of Lord Parasurama who is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On this day Veda Vyas and Lord Ganesha began to write Mahabharata.

The word "Akshaya" means the never diminishing in Sanskrit and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. It is believed that if you do charity on this day you will be blessed.on this day that people conduct special Pujas, bathe in holy rivers, make charity, and offer barley to the burning fire.There's also a tradition to sprinkle Tulsi water onto the idols of Gods while performing the aarti.. Various Hindu deities like Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and Devi Laxmi are worshipped on the day for different reasons. Lord Ganesha is worshipped before setting sails for any new venture or deed, Lord Krishna is worshipped for Salvation, Lord Shiva is worshipped for health and good luck, and Goddess Laxmi is worshipped for wealth.

Legends :

On the same day as Akshaya Tritiya, Parashurama Jayanti is also observed in several parts of the country, as legend has it that it was on this day that Lord Parashurama was born.Lord Ganesha started writing the great epic Mahabharata. Even in the epic, Lord Krishna presented the Pandavas, during their exile, with an Akshaya Patra, a bowl that never went empty and provided with an unlimited supply of food on demand.It is believed, it was on this day that the Goddess of food known as Annapurna, a special avatar of Goddess Parvati, who feeds the hungry, was born.As per the Hindu mythology, Kubera, known to be a banker in heaven, received all his wealth on the day of Akshaya Tritiya by worshipping the Lord Shiva in the temple at Sivapuram. It was on the day of Akshaya Tritiya that the sacred river Ganges descended from heaven onto the earth.It is on this day that poor Sudama, the best friend of Krishna visits Him (Lord Krishna) to greet Him after He became the King. With nothing to offer, Sudama takes with him Poha (puffed rice) and offers it to his friend and never discusses his poverty though he intends to. On his return he finds his hut changed to a palace.

Rituals :

Gaja pooja is referred to as "Gaja Dhanaakarshana pooja".Gaja stands for elephant, Dhan stands for wealth and prosperity, aakarshan stands for attraction and pooja stands for worship. This means Gaja pooja aims at worshipping the elephant to attract and sustain wealth and prosperity in one's life and in society.Various mantras and chants are uttered by Vedic priests while the idol of an elephant is offered light, incense, flowers and food.

Gomatha Pooja :

Kind, calm, love and feeling of ever giving are the characteristics of a cow (Gomatha). To attain these qualities in one's life and in family, Gomatha Pooja is celebrated. While conducting this ritual, the cow and her calf/calves are cleaned, dressed and decorated first and then the pooja is offered in an appropriate way.

SundarMahalakshmi Grand 9 Priest Homa :

This ritual is of utmost importance and is celebrated with grandeur to praise goddess Maa Sundara Mahalakshmi who, in her form, exhibits all 64 incarnations of the Goddess. It is conducted by nine priests who chant 1008 names of Goddess Lakshmi. This grand ritual takes place in two phases; the first phase begins at 7:30 AM and lasts till 1:30 PM and the second phase begins at 4:30 PM and ends at 8:30 PM.

Celebrations :

In Northern India, the day is majorly celebrated as the birthday of Sage Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On this auspicious day, people make many kinds of charities which include Jala Daanama, Vastra Daanama, Shayana Daanama, Chandana Daanama, Padaraksha, Chatra Daanama, Naarikela Daanama, Udakumbha Daanama, etc. They take dips in the holy river Ganges in order to wash off their sins. It is also a day to begin Yatras as it is believed that anything starting on Akshaya Tritiya definitely bears fruit and brings success; many Yatras to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Char Dhaam and other pilgrims starts on this day. The day is also considered auspicious for marriages and you will see many people tying knots on this day. As far as in South india the day is celebrated with full enthusiasm considering Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi Kubera as the primary gods. On this day, Maha Vishnu Pooja and Lakshmi Kubera Homa are held, and charity in terms of offering food and clothing to poor and needy also go hand in hand. South Indians visit many temples like Tirupati Temple, Meenakshi Temple and Thousand Pillar Temple, etc. on this day for purity of their hearts and souls.

People of West Bengal start new audit books called Halkhata after worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha with the expectation of earning higher profits in their business. Many of them visit temples and also perform Satya Narayana Katha at their homes. Taking dips in sacred rivers is also a custom being practiced by Bengalis since ages.

The day is also considered significant in Orissa as the 42 days long Chandan Yatra begins on this day and chariot-making for famous Rath Yatra of Puri also commences on the same day. The tradition of making chariot for Puri Rath Yatra is well known as Rath Anukula.

2017 Date : 28th April.