Akshaya Tritiya Celebrations and Beliefs

Akshaya Tritiya is considered to be a very auspicious day for all Hindus. This year in 2012 it falls on April 23. Hindus believe in the theory of Mahurats and auspicious time in each and every step that they take in life. So whether it be a new venture or making a new purchase or buying a new vehicle or starting a new business, they always choose the right moment and the auspicious day for the same. Akshaya Tritiya is one such occasion here which is supposed to be the most auspicious Hindu Day. In the Hindu calendar it is said that any work that is started on this day would surely prove fruitful.

Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the Vaisakh month on the brighter half. This is the time when the Moon and the Sun are in exaltation and they are together at the height of being bright. This happens only once in a year and is thus a very auspicious time.

Akshaya Tritiya is also known by the name of Akha Teej and is normally worshipped as the birthday of Lord Parsuram. Lord Parsuram is said to be the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Normally people conduct a lot of puja on this day and take a bath in the holy rivers. They normally do charity on this day and also offer barley in the sacred fire. On this day Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped.

Akshaya means eternal and imperishable and this is a day which never reduces its glory or prosperity. On this occasion people venture out  to buy valuables y so Akshaya Tritiya sees a lot of gold purchases. It is said that if one buys gold on this day then he is sure to be wealthy and prosperous. Gold jewelery that is normally bought on this day.Gold is also worn to indicate a lot of good fortune. Indians normally celebrate a lot of weddings and bring in new ventures and also take a long travel on this day.

Mythology has it that this day is the beginning of the Golden Age or the Satya Yug. This is the first of the four Yuags. The Puranas which are the Holy Scriptures of the Hindus say that on this day, Veda Vyasa wrote the great Indian Epic Mahabharat along with Lord Ganesha. It is said that Mother Ganges and Ganga Devi descended to earth on this day.

There is another legend which has that during the time of the Mahabharata the Pandavas were in exile and Lord Krishna gave them the Akshaya Patra which is a bowl which would never be empty. It would produce food on demand and would give an unlimited supply of food always.

The most famous of the Akshaya Tritiya stories also has the legend of lord Krishna and his poor Brahmin friend Sudama where he comes over to Lord Krishna’s house and asks him for some financial help. Sudama had nothing to give but a handful of poha or beaten rice. He was very ashamed to give it to Lord Krishna and Krishna took the poha from him and relished it a great deal. Krishna always followed the rule of welcoming the guest with open arms. He treated Sudama like a true king and Sudama was so overwhelmed by the entire hospitality and warmth shown by Lord Krishna and he came back without asking for any favour. When Sudama reached home he found his entire house changed into a great palace. Such was the goodness of Krishna. It is said that this happened on Akshaya Tritiya day and so the day is always linked to wealth and material gains.

People who are born during this time succeed a great deal in life. There were many luminaries who were born during this period and have succeeded a great deal. Lot of donations are made to the needy and it is said that people would be blessed by God on this day. So people normally buy gold and silver and lot of property and lot of assets. Akshaya is a word in Sanskrit that explores the meaning the one that doesn’t fade.

Akshaya Tritiya is on April 24 this year so celebrate it in style and enjoy it with the blessings of God.

India is a land of festivals and each festival has its own significance. It is only these festivals which make the land a great boon to all those who visit this place. The celebrations of the festival is enhanced with the presence of various cultures and traditions which are typical to the place. Akshaya Tritiya is one such festival that reveres wealth, richness and prosperity. So all Indians revere this as a great day and celebrate it with a lot of pomp and grandeur.