Akshaya tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akti or Akha Teej, is a highly auspicious and holy day for Hindu and Jain communities. It falls on the third Tithi (lunar day) of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of the pan-Indian month of Vaishakha and one of the four most important days for Hindus. It is also known as Navanna Parvam. Akshaya Tritiya was the day when Vyasa started writing the history of the great Bharat war in the form of an epic Mahabharata. This day is symbolized by god Vishnu, the preserver-god in the Hindu Trinity. According to Hindu mythology, on this day the Treta Yuga began and the river Ganges, the most sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven.

Significance

The word "Akshaya" means the never diminishing in Sanskrit and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. It is widely celebrated in all parts of India by different sections of the society irrespective of their religious faith and social grouping. The day is considered auspicious for starting new ventures: the legend is that any venture initiated on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya continues to grow and bring prosperity. Hence, new ventures, like starting a business, construction, etc. can be initiated on Akshaya Tritiya.

Rituals

Many people perform Pooja and other rituals on Akshaya Tritiya. It is considered auspicious to buy gold on this day. It is believed that buying Gold on Akshaya Tritiya brings prosperity and more wealth in coming future. Being Trithiya of brighter fortnight, even the hour of moon is auspicious (Subha) and so the whole day is considered auspicious.

See Also

• Hindu calendar
• Panchangam
• Tithi
• Hindu festivals