Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej or Akti, is an annual Hindu and Jain festival. This day is auspicious for buying new things, depositing money in the bank, visiting temples, and providing offerings to the poor. It usually falls in April or May. The third lunar day (tritiya) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Vaishakha marks this day.

Significance

Akshaya means “never ending” and tritiya means “third day”. So, Akshaya Tritiya means the third day of never-ending prosperity, hope, and joy. It also marks a good day to do a good deed or purchase, or start a new venture.

Common Rituals

Significance in Jainism

Rishabhanatha, the first Jain tirthankara, ended his 400-day-long fast by consuming sugarcane juice poured on his cupped hands. Rishabhanatha renounces worldly pleasures to become a monk. He did 400 day 400-day-long fast and did not accept any food from followers as it was not ‘free of 42 faults’ as it should be for a Jain monk to accept. Once he approached the city of Hastinapur, the capital city of King Shreyansha.

He was the great-grandson of Rishabhanatha, the grandson of Bahubali, and the son of Somprabha. King Somprabha had a dream where he saw a man surrounded by enemies turn out victorious with the help of Shreyansha. A merchant also saw a similar kind of dream where the sun was replaced by Shreyansha. While they were discussing their dream in the royal court, Rishabhanatha entered.

King Sheryansha performed Parikrama around him. From Rishabhanatha’s attire, King Shreyansha came to know he is a Jain monk. Since Shreyansha knew about the rules of donating food to a Jain monk, he curated jars full of sugarcane juice that were already prepared for other Jain monks. He offered the sugarcane juice to Rishabhanatha. Shreyansha emptied the jars into Rishabhanatha’s hands while he consumed them and broke his fast. Not even a single drop fell on the ground. Demigods and other creatures celebrated this event.

Jains perform a similar kind of fast that lasts for 400 days (but consume food on alternate days). Jains who observe this fast, which is also known as varshitap finish their tapasaya and break their fast by drinking sugarcane juice. They dedicate this day to donations and sacrifices.

Significance in Hinduism

Parashurama’s Birth

Hindus celebrate Akshay Tritiya as the birth of Lord Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. This day is also known as Parashurama Jayanti.

Ganesha

As per the legend, Sage Vyasa began reciting the Mahabharata to Lord Ganesha on this day.

Descend of Ganga

Some legends mark this day as the descent of Ganga on earth. The Gangotri temple and Yamunotri temple open on this auspicious occasion, after closing down during the heavy snowfall-laden winters in the Himalayan region. During the abhijit mahurut of Akshaya Tritiya the temples are opened.

Sudama

Another legend links this day to the visit of Sudama (childhood friend of Lord Krishna) to Dwaraka when he received the boon of unlimited wealth. Kubera was appointed as the God of wealth on this day.

Mahabharata

During their exile in the forest, the Pandavas were famished due to the lack of food. Duryodhana sent some sages, knowing that the Pandavas won’t be able to provide them hospitality. Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandavas, prayed to the god Surya, who gave him the magical bowl, Akshaya Patra, which would remain full till Draupadi eats out of it.

But Sage Durvasa visited them just after Draupadi had finished eating, and only three grains of rice remained. Pandavas asked the sages to take a bath in the nearby river before eating. Draupadi called Sri Krishna for help. Lord Krishna ate the grains of rice, which transcended to quench the hunger of all living beings on the earth, along with the sages. This saved the Pandavas from the wrath of Sage Durvasa.

Regional Significance

Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, it is a three-and-a-half-holiest and auspicious festival as per the Marathi calendar. People buy new houses, gold, and start new businesses. They celebrate with family and worship the Gods and Goddesses by offering them puran poli and amras.

Odisha

The day marks the commencement of the sowing of rice paddy for the Kharif season. Farmers worship Mother Earth, bullocks, traditional farm equipment, and seeds for a good harvest. The farmers sow paddy seeds after ploughing. This ritual is called Akhi Muthi Anukula (Akhi- Akshaya Tritiya; Muthi- fistful of paddy; Anukula- commencement or inauguration) and is celebrated throughout the state with pomp and show.

Telegu States