For those who seek wealth, prosperity, and abundance, Akshaya Tritiya is a festival that has great significance. This annual festival that comes in spring is associated with all these things that denote material success and fulfillment.
Akshaya means ‘that which does not diminish’. Tritiya is the third day of the moon phase. The festival falls on the third day of the waxing lunar phase (Shukla Paksha) of Vaishakha month (mid-April-mid-May).
It is a very auspicious day as it is free from the malefic effects of planets in transit. People do good deeds, buy land or vehicles, launch new ventures, or buy gold or silver, begin new ventures, on this day, as they believe it will bring them success and good fortune.
In Eastern India, this is the first ploughing day for the upcoming harvest season. Businessmen worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi before beginning a new audit book for the next financial year. This ritual is called 'halkhata'.
Many weddings take place on this day as it is the wedding day of Lord Sundaresa and Goddess Madhura.
Significance of Akshaya Tritiya
This day is also associated with many important events in Hindu mythology. For instance, it was the day Treta Yuga began. Lord Parashurama, the 6th avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born on this day. Lord Krishna gave Draupadi the Akshaya Patra, a vessel that produced unlimited food, on Akshaya Tritiya. It is also the birthday of Goddess Annapoorna. Lord Krishna bestowed wealth and prosperity to his poor friend, Sudama on this day. Veda Vyasa began dictating the Mahabharata to Lord Ganesha on this most auspicious day.
Many rituals are performed on Akshaya Tritiya by devotees who seek prosperity and success. Let us see some of them.
1. Pray to God
Offer arghya to the Sun God for achieving victory. One can also chant the Gayatri Mantra for at least 108 times.
2. Honor Mother Earth
On Akshaya Tritiya, one should worship Mother Earth to receive her everlasting blessings. Mother Earth’s blessings include food (dhaanyalakshmi), wealth (dhanalakshmi) and prosperity (vaibhavlakshmi).
3. Purchase Gold
Many people buy gold on this day. Akshaya Tritiya signifies wealth and prosperity, so purchasing gold and silver is auspicious. It is believed to attract prosperity and good fortune. On this day, Kubera became the divine treasurer after he worshipped the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. So people believe that both Kubera and Lakshmi will be pleased if they buy gold on Akshaya Trititya.
4. Give Donations
Donating things to the needy on Akshaya Tritiya brings great merit. Such donations also help to nullify or reduce the sins committed in our past births. One can donate anything, not just money. Rice, sugar, salt, ghee, vegetables, tamarind, fruits, clothes, slippers, etc., can be donated.
5. Akshaya Tritiya Puja
Goddess Lakshmi is the deity of wealth and prosperity, and her consort, Lord Vishnu, is the deity who preserves wealth. So many devotees perform a Pooja on this day for Lord Lakshminarayana and his consort, Goddess Lakshmi. It is the custom to take a holy dip in a sacred river as this is very auspicious. They apply Chandan paste and tilak to the idols and chant Mantras for Ganesha, Vishnu, and Lakshmi. A special dish is prepared with milk, rice, and chana dal as Neivedya for the deities. They perform Arati and give prasad to the participants when the Pooja ends.
By praying to both and performing Lakshmi and Vishnu Pooja in your home, you can invoke their grace for wealth and happiness. People also observe a fast on this day. It is also the custom to sprinkle Tulsi water all around the house as the Tulsi plant is dear to Lord Vishnu.
6. Gho Pooja
Cows are revered in Hinduism. The entire Hindu pantheon of deities is believed to reside in the body of the cow. Doing Gho Pooja on Akshaya Tritiya, therefore, can bring innumerable blessings.
7. Doing Spiritual Activities
Performing spiritual activities, meditation, and chanting holy Mantras is considered important to ensure good fortune in the future.
