Akshaya Tritiya: History | Significance | Facts | Rituals

For Hindu groups, Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, is a very auspicious and sacred day. It occurs in Vaishakha during Shukla Paksha Tritiya. It is quite fortunate for Akshaya Tritiya to fall on a Rohini Nakshatra day with Wednesday.

Akshaya Tritiya History:

According to the ancients, Akshaya Tritiya is related to Lord Krishna, Draupadi, and Sage Durvasa. One day Sage Durvasa along with his disciples visited Maharaj Yudhisthir. During their visit, the Pandavas were famished due to the lack of food. Queen Draupadi was tense with this because she could not accustom hospitality to the guest. When Lord Krishna learned about it he saved Draupadi and Pandavas from Sage's curse by turning their empty food pot into an Akshaya Patra. According to sculptures, Goddess Annapurna was born on this day. Another ancient states that the day when Goddess Ganga arrived on the earth at the appeal of Bhagirath and it was the day of Akshaya Tritiya. According to another folklore, Veda Vyasa began reciting to Ganesha the Hindu Epic Mahabharata on this day.

According to Jainism, Akshaya Tritiya Day honours Lord Rishabhdev (the First God of Jaini), as he ended his asceticism after one year by consuming sugarcane juice poured into his cupped hands. Also, it is believed that Lord Kubera received the status of 'Lord of Wealth' on this auspicious day. It is believed that Lord Krishna's friend Sudama visited him in Dwarka on this day, and received a lot of wealth. 

Akshaya Tritiya Significance:

Akshaya Tritiya is an annual Hindu and Jain spring festival. It is also termed; Swayam Siddha Tithi and Akha Teej. It falls on the third tithi of the Shukla Paksha of Vaisakha month. According to the Puranas, Akshaya Tritiya is the best day to start something new. Hence Hindus like to purchase gold, silver, property, etc. The benefits of doing jaap, yagya and donation on this day stays permanently with the individual. Sun and Moon are at the most exalted position on this auspicious day. The brightness of the Moon is like the strength of one's mind and that of the Sun is like consciousness in the body.

Akshaya Tritiya Facts:

1. Buying gold on this day is believed to invite endless fortune into one's life and endless fortune means the auspicious presence of Goddess Lakshmi.

2. This day is also famous for the birth anniversary of Lord Pashuram, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. 

3. People who keep a fast on this day get immense blessings from Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kubera. 

4. It is said that people who keep a fast on this day should not break the fast only the next day.

5. Akshaya Tritiya falling on Monday Rohini is considered more propitious. 

6. It is considered to be very beneficial to start a new business or journey on this day.

Akshaya Tritiya Rituals :

Pilgrims should take a bath early in the morning and keep a fast for the whole day. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu and sprinkle Tulsi water all around. People worship Lord Ganesha and Mata Lakshmi Narayan before starting the new accounting book for the next financial year, this is known as 'halkhata'. This day commences the first ploughing day of the forthcoming harvest season. People plan weddings on this day. Taking a holy dip in the river Ganga and making donations.

This year Akshaya Tritiya 2023 will be celebrated on Saturday, April 22. It will start at 07:49 am on April 22 and will end at 07:47 am on April 23.