Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious days and this year it falls on April 28th. This day occurs, when both Moon and Sun are located in their signs of exaltation, and they are equally strong (this happens only once a year). The Sun in Aries rises at dawn while Moon is waxing and it is in Taurus with Mars.
The Hindu traditions say that any activity commenced on this day will be successful. Therefore, this is a lucky day to start a new venture. In Sanskrit, Akshaya means ‘never diminishing’. Akshay Tritiya brings an auspicious glow into our lives, which will never get diminished in the upcoming days of the calendar. Akshaya Tritiya comes every year with a grasp full of prosperity and well-being. Observe the day of Akshaya Tritiya to bring home a meritorious ray of positivity.
It is widely believed that any business venture or a new initiative that is started on this day will multiply manifold and will be ushered in prosperity. Some people even buy gold as a symbolic gesture to invite everlasting prosperity.
A number of legends and traditions are associated with this auspicious day. Some of them are:
- Lord Kubera (the treasurer of wealth) received his lost fortune back.
- Brahman Sudama was blessed with an abundance of wealth by his dear friend Lord Krishna.
- Annapurna (Goddess of Nourishment, giver of food, an avatar of Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva) was born on this day.
- It is also believed to be the birth date of Lord Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
- The day of Akshay Tritiya marks the commencement of Satya Yuga (Golden Age).
- Ved Vyasa started writing the Mahabharata along with the Lord Ganesha on this day.
- While on exile, Pandavas (five brothers, heroes of Mahabharata) were gifted ‘Akshaya Patra’ by Lord Krishna – the bowl of food that would never go empty.
- Goddess Sundara Mahalakshmi is worshiped on Akshaya Tritiya, exhibiting the 64 Avatars of Goddess Lakshmi. Mahalakshmi is a Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Hence, the day of Akshay Tritiya stands for a never-ending good fortune, prosperity, and well-being.
- Traditionally, this day is celebrated by offering barley into the sacred fire and praying to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi for health and prosperity.
- Kheer, which is said to be a favorite treat of Lord Shiva is offered as prasad and eaten with the loved ones. (Kheer is a rice cooked in milk, basic recipe can be easily found on-line)
- Petitions to Lord Shiva are made by married women for lasting happiness in the relationship and for the success of their husbands’ endeavors/businesses/work and for their health and longevity. They usually wear a red thread with vermillion around their necks during this time. Unmarried women offer the red thread at the feet of Lord Shiva’s Murti and ask him for help in finding a husband who is their real TRUE Soul Mate/Soul Partner/Eternal Half (there are many words to signify a divine relationship between two souls walking in human bodies). (Please NOTE: the importance of the word “TRUE. Unmarried women should petition for a TRUE Soul Mate because in many cases instead of TRUE Soul Mate, the Karmic Mate might appear. So, woman should always make sure that they ask about their Eternal/True Mate)
- Some people break a coconut at the entrance of their home or business. They offer smaller pieces to four directions – South, North, West, and East, to Heaven and to Earth. The rest of the coconut is used as prasad.
- The common tradition is buying gold on the day of Akshaya Tritiya as many believe that it will make one rich. However, there is no evidence of this tradition in any Vedic scriptures. It is also known fact that the kings, the rulers and the most fortunate of the society distributed their wealth in charity on such an auspicious day, they also will ensure that their brahmans (priests’ class) would perform yajna which is a ceremonial fire sacrifice ritual, during which brahmans throw various grains, and other edible and none – edible items into the fire as offerings to devas.
- And last, but not less important is – Donation. Yes, donations should be made during this day. You can donate anything you can. Money to great charities, food to churches/temples, clothes to salvation army… The list is endless.
(Please Note: For information about Goddess Lakshmi, please see my article, posted on April 24th, 2017 here: Goddess Lakshmi )
© Rita Digilova, 2017
