Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej is a highly auspicious festival in the Hindu community. It is celebrated on the third lunar day of the waxing moon between April and May.
On this day, it is believed that anything done as charity or as a new beginning on this day brings endless abundance and prosperity in one's life. Therefore, doing good deeds and starting new ventures is meant to be very lucky and never-ending on this day.
Moreover, with the help of this guide, we'll explore why Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated, and what the different stories are behind this sacred festival, with religious beliefs and the benefits of this divine day in individuals' lives.
What is Akshaya Tritiya? Meaning and Significance
The term Akshaya in Sanskrit means never-ending or eternal, and Tritiya refers to the third lunar day. Therefore, the Akshaya Tritiya festival is seen as a day that brings everlasting prosperity and abundance into individuals' lives. People strongly believe that this day brings good luck and is perfect for starting new things in life and doing charitable acts.
As per Vedic scriptures, the Akshaya Tritya story begins with the time when Pandavas received the Akshaya Patra Vessel, which had endless food, from Lord Surya during their forest exile. However, this day is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Parshurama (the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu). Devotees do charitable acts, purchase precious things, and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu with devotion and purity to receive his divine blessings.
Why is Akshaya Tritiya Celebrated?
Akshaya Tritiya is a day on which it is believed that all the positive things come to earth to offer prosperity and abundance. We should celebrate this festival to attain the blessings of the day and to attract abundance and happiness in our lives. This day perfectly symbolises eternal fortune and is best for starting new things in life. With its meaning “Akshaya” never diminishing, it is assumed that buying gold, starting new ventures and doing charitable acts on this day brings everlasting success and divine blessings.
What is the Real Story Behind the Akshaya Tritiya Festival?
Akshaya Tritiya's story has different scenarios involved. As per the Hindu scriptures, many legends are connected to this festival. Let us look at each one of them and explore why this festival is so sacred and auspicious.
1. The Story of Akshaya Patra
Akshaya Paatra - the pot given by Lord Surya to the Pandavas during their 12 years of exile. The powerful vessel had endless food, and the Pandavas used the pot to feed the guests, who came to their home in the forest humbly.
2. The Story of Lord Parashuram's Birth
As per Vedic scriptures, Lord Parashuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. Both festivals commonly fall on the same day and are celebrated with similar rituals, like doing charity and purifying the soul.
3. The Story of Vyasa and Lord Ganesha
The festival has a large significance to the Mahabharata, as another relevance of this auspicious day arises, as it is said that on this day, sage Vyasa began dictating the epic Mahabharata to Lord Ganesha, who wrote it down.
4. The Story of Kubera
According to some Puranas, on this day, Lord Kubera, the god of wealth, was appointed as the treasurer of Svarga by Lord Shiva. Moreover, due to this, people celebrate this festival to seek the blessings of Lord Kubera for attracting wealth and abundance in their lives.
5. The Story of River Ganga
On this day, Goddess Ganga came to earth from Svarga, making this day significant for ritual baths and offering prayers to achieve purification and blessings from the sacred holy river.
6. The Beginning of Treta Yuga
It is believed that the Akshaya Tritiya festival was eternally the beginning of Treta Yuga, the second of the four different ages of humankind in the Hindu cosmos, reflecting a significant transition.
7. The Story of Lord Krishna and Sudama
It is believed that, on this day, Lord Krishna's childhood friend Sudama came to see him. He was very poor and did not have anything to take as a gift, but he offered some puffed rice, which was accepted by the Lord very happily and blessed his friend with immense wealth.
Conclusion
Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious festivals, which signifies eternal prosperity, unending success and abundance. It majorly falls on the third day of the bright fortnight between April and May.
This sacred day marks Lord Parshurama's birth, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and several other stories are related to this day, which makes it a sacred and energetic day.
Devotees should perform good deeds, charity, and purchase gold or start a new venture to mark the importance of the Akshaya Tritiya festival.
Adapted from the Gupt Vrindavan Dham blog: Why is Akshaya Tritiya Celebrated? Story, Reasons & Religious Beliefs.
