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Akhar Teej Akhya Tritiya

The Golden Day

Hindus believe in the theory of “mahurats” or auspicious timings in every step in life – be it to begin a new venture or making an important purchase.

Akshaya Tritiya is one such momentous occasion, which is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Vedic Calendar. It is believed, any meaningful activity started on this day would be fruitful.

Once a Year
Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (April-May), when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year.

Holy Day
Akshaya Tritiya, also known as “Akha Teej”, is traditionally the birthday of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

People conduct special Pujas on this day, bathe in holy rivers, make a charity, offer barley in a sacred fire, and worship Lord Ganesha & Devi Lakshmi on this day.

The Golden Link
The word “Akshaya” means imperishable or eternal – that which never diminishes. Initiations made or valuables bought on this day are considered to bring success or good fortune.

Buying gold is a popular activity on Akshaya Tritiya, as it is the ultimate symbol of wealth and prosperity.

Gold and gold jewelry bought and worn on this day signify never diminishing good fortune.

Indians celebrate weddings, begin new business ventures, and even plan long journeys on this day.

Myths & Legends
The day also marks the beginning of the “SatyaYug” or the Golden Age – the first of the four Yugas.

In the “Puranas”, the holy Hindu scriptures, there is a story that says that on this day of Akshay Tritiya Vedavyas along with Lord Ganesha started writing the great epic Mahabharata.

Ganga Devi or Mother Ganges also descended to earth on this day.

Bright Births
It is also believed that people born during this time shine bright in life.

Many luminaries were born during this period: Basaveshwara born on May 4, Ramanujacharya and Adi Shankaracharya on May 6, Swami Chinmayananda on May 8 and Lord Buddha on May 16.

What is Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya is one of the important celebrations of Hindus. It falls on the third Tithi or lunar day of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of Vaisakha month. In Sanskrit, the word “Akshaya” denotes imperishable, eternal, and never-ending. The word Tritya means three.

This day is celebrated as it indicated enormous prosperity and wealth, to be bestowed on all the devotees, who dedicatedly observe this day with piety. Jains also observe this day and forms an important part of their celebration

Legend of Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most important “tithi” of the Hindu astrology, where the sun and the moon become equally bright. It is the birthday of Parasurama who is the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, and he is revered in Vaishnava temples. This day is also celebrated as Parasurama Jayanthi.

This day is also connected with Vasudeva avatar of Lord Vishnu. During ancient times, Sage Vyasa began reciting the Hindu epic Mahabharata to Ganesha on Akshaya Tritiya. Another legend states that river Ganges descended to earth on this day from the hair locks of Lord Shiva .

Akshya Thiruthiya is also connected with Mahabharata, when Pandavas were in exile in the forest they were visited by many people. As the visitors were increasing, Draupadi found it difficult to offer food for all the visitors.

One day, Lord Krishna visited the Pandavas, where Lord Krishna was received with utmost dignity by all the five brothers. Draupadi did not step forward to invite Lord Krishna, instead, she was hiding inside the kitchen.

Lord Krishna immediately understood the situation, and asked Draupadi, to bring the vessel in which she cooked the food. There was only one grain, found inside the vessel. Lord Krishna ate that single grain and blessed her with the Akshaya Patra, a vessel that could give an unending supply of food every day.

Significance of Akshya Thiruthiya

According to Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva made Kubera as the lord of richness and the banker of Heaven. This day of Akshaya Tritiya is said to be highly blessed and many people would begin a fresh, a lot of activities. Buying assets, gold, investing in properties is done on this day. Many people would even perform marriages on this day.

Rituals of Akshaya Tritiya

The day is worshipped by offering various fruits, milk, and special food being served to Lord Vishnu . The idol or the photo of Lord Vishnu is highly decorated. It is also believed that anything which is white in color has to be purchased new on this day, and would bring enormous benefits for the entire family. Many people would like to invest in ornaments, gold, silver or property this day.

Benefits of Celebrating Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya is referred to as a blessed and a special day. Many people would worship this day with enormous pomp and piety.

• This is an auspicious day to invest in properties
• Celebrating Akshya Thiruthiya will bring enormous happiness to the family, and enrich the day with blissful happiness
• Prosperity and luck would enhance in the family. Any muddles and swampy situations will get a positive turn

Connect With The Divine

The sacred scriptures prescribe fire ceremony, Abishekam (hydration ceremony), Pooja/Archana (Light and Sound ceremony), Yantra and Mantra (special sounds) as the ways to offer your prayer to the divine. Out of these, fire ceremony is the most evolved spiritual technology on earth to connect with the divine beings. Participate in the remedial services to clear your karma and receive the blessings.

Kanakadhara Lakshmi

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Sri Suktam Homa

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Akshaya Tritiya Facts

Akshaya Tritiya is a very popular festival that the Hindus and Jains celebrate every year. It is considered as one of the most important days for Hindu community as it is the day of the birth of the Lord Parasurama.

The Hindu community considers this day as a lucky day and believes that any venture such as a business or the construction of a building started on that day will follow betterment and prosperity. Akshaya Tritiya is a one day event celebrated in late April or early May.

Hindus celebrate this day because, according to them, Akshaya Tritiya is the day when the great God of Wisdom, God Ganesha, started writing the epic work called “Mahabharata”.

It is believed that when the Pandavas were in exile the Lord presented them a bowl which was named Akshaya Tritiya. That bowl was never empty and produces an unlimited amount of food on demand.

Akshaya Tritiya is considered as the most golden day of the year because the word Akshaya means the most “Eternal” that which never diminishes. Any initiative made on that day or anything bought on that day is considered to be good fortune.

The most popular activity is the buying of gold and it is believed it will be a sign of good fortune for the buyer. In the Indian culture people typically starts a new business or begins a new venture on Akshaya Tritiya.

This is also one of the most popular days for weddings to take plans as the spirit of this day bids them on a very long and fulfilling life journey. It was also believed that people born in that month will be very lucky and will shine bright throughout their life.

The most popular story regarding the celebration of Akshaya Tritiya is that Lord Karishna and Sudama were friends during their childhood. Sudama was poor and he went to Karishna to ask him for some financial help or to give him money as a gift as a friend.

Sudama did not have anything else except the pouch of Poha and he felt ashamed when he gave it to Karishna as he treated Poha as a king. His poor friend was overwhelmed by the hospitality shown by the Lord Karishna that he could not ask his friend for financial support which led him to go home empty-handed.

When he arrived at his home he saw that his run-down hut was converted into a palace and his family was wearing royal attire. Sudama knew that this was the blessing of his friend Krishna who blessed him with more wealth than he needed or could ever imagine. This is why Akshaya Tritiya is associated with material gains.

Akshaya Tritiya is the festival, which is considered as a Golden Day for Hindus and Jains. This festival is only for Hindus and Jains, therefore not considered as a public holiday nor is celebrated anywhere else in the world

Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most important days in Hindu calendar. It is observed on Shukla Paksha Tritiya i.e. the third day during bright half of Vaishakha lunar month in Hindu calendar. According to Hindu scriptures and Purana(s), Satya Yuga ended and Treta Yuga began on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. Hence, Akshaya Tritiya is Yugadi Tithi and the day has great religious significance for most Hindu families.

Lord Vishnu, being the preserver of whole creation, is worshipped on Akshaya Tritiya which is a Yugadi Tithi. As the day has been blessed by Lord Vishnu, the day is considered very significant to worship and please Lakshminarayana form of Lord Vishnu. Lakshminarayana is the manifestation of Lord Vishnu in which Lord Vishnu is worshipped along with His consort Goddess Lakshmi.

Devotees of Lord Vishnu observe a day long fast on the significant day of Akshaya Tritiya. As per Vratraj, on the day of Akshaya Tritiya Lord Vishnu along with Goddess Lakshmi should be worshipped ritualistically with all necessary Puja steps including flowers, Dhoop and various ointments.

The day of Akshaya Tritiya is also given special significance in Vedic Astrology. It is believed that the day doesn’t need any Muhurat to start any auspicious work. Many Mangalika (माङ्गलिक) work e.g. marriage ceremony, house warming ceremony, purchasing of new clothes and jewelry, purchasing property, buying new vehicle and motor bike etc. are performed on Akshaya Tritiya day.

Akshaya Tritiya Origin | Significance

As per Hindu time keeping, the time has been divided into four Yuga. All four Yuga are cyclic and these are known as Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kali Yuga respectively. Akshaya Tritiya is the day when Satya Yuga i.e. the golden period of human life got over and Treta Yuga got started. Hence the origin of Akshaya Tritiya is deep rooted in Hinduism and it dates back to the creation of human life on the earth. Hence Akshaya Tritiya is one of the four Yugadi Tithi in Hinduism.

The word Akshaya (अक्षय) means never diminishing. Hence the benefits of doing any Japa, Yajna, Pitra-Tarpan, Dan-Punya i.e. charity works, Svadhyaya i.e. studying of Vedas and Puja on this day never diminish and remain with the person forever.

Hence, to take the maximum benefit of the day, many Hindus take bath in the sacred water at various holy places. Not only on Akshaya Tritiya day, many devotees take pledge to take daily holy bath during the whole month of Vaishakha. To appease their deceased ancestors, Hindu families also perform Tarpan with the water and sesame seeds on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya.

It is believed that performing Hawan gives maximum benefits and people perform Homa preferably with Yava i.e. barley seeds and Akshata i.e. unbroken rice on the significant day of Akshaya Tritiya.

Akshaya Tritiya Deity(s)

Lakshminarayana i.e. Lord Vishnu along with His consort Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.

The day is also coincides with the birth anniversary of Lord Parashurama which is popularly known as Parashurama Jayanti. Lord Parashurama was the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Hence, devotees of Lord Vishnu and Brahmin communities worship Lord Parashurama on Akshaya Tritiya day.

Akshaya Tritiya Date and Time

As per Amanta as well as Purnimanta Hindu Calendar –
Shukla Paksha Tritiya (3^rd day) of Vaishakha (2^nd month)

Akshaya Tritiya Observance

• day long fasting dedicated to Lord Vishnu
• worshipping Lakshminarayana form of Lord Vishnu
• purchasing gold in form of jewelry and coins
• conducing marriages and house warming ceremony
• buying new vehicle
• taking bath in Ganges and other sacred places
• performing Tarpan for deceased ancestors
• offering charity to Brahmins or those in need
• conducting Hawan

Akshaya Tritiya Regional Variance

Akshaya Tritiya is observed throughout India. Apart from Hindu religion it is also observed in Jain religion.

Akshaya Tritiya Similar Festivals

• Parashurama Jayanti
• Akshaya Navami
• Dhanteras

Akshaya Tritiya Akshaya Tritiya: People celebrate Akshaya Tritiya to bring good luck to their lives. As per common belief, buying gold and properties on this day brings prosperity and wealth in the future.

The festival of Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated by Hindus and Jains around the world. Also known as Akti or Akha Teej, this day is believed to be one of the most auspicious occasions. This year, it falls on Tuesday (May 3).

According to the Hindu calendar, Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third tithi (lunar day) of Shukla Paksha of the Vaishakha month. Going by the Gregorian calendar, it falls somewhere around April and May.

One of the most important rituals includes worshipping Lord Vishnu on this day. For Hindus, the Sanskrit meaning of Akshaya Tritiya, the two words, holds a lot of importance. “Akshaya” means “never diminishing” and the term “Tritiya” signifies the third day of the illuminated half of Vaishakha month.

History and significance

People celebrate Akshaya Tritiya to bring good luck to their lives. As per common belief, buying gold and properties on this day brings prosperity and wealth in the future.

Going by mythology, it is believed that a number of events took place on Akshaya Tritiya, making it an auspicious day.

As per one legend, on Akshaya Tritiya, Treta Yuga, the second of the four yugas, started and the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Parshuram, was born.

Also, it is considered that Maharishi Ved Vyasa, the author of Mahabharata, started narrating the epic to Lord Ganesh on this day.

It was on this occasion that Lord Krishna met his childhood friend Sudama.

As per another notion, the river Ganga descended on Earth from heaven on Akshaya Tritiya.

Rituals and celebrations

People observe a day-long fast during Akshaya Tritiya. Devotees perform puja and prepare “Akshate” (unbroken rice coated with turmeric and kumkum) to offer Lord Vishnu. They also prepare bhog for Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesh and other deities.

Many individuals buy gold, silver, properties and other valuable things. This day is also auspicious for marriages. Worshipping Lord Kuber is seen as an auspicious practice.

When is Akshaya Tritiya

The diversity of Akshaya Tritiya is not only religious but also regional. While believers of both these religions indulge in charity work on this day for their spiritual upliftment and growth, some various customs and traditions are followed in different parts of the country.

The North Indians take a dip in the holy waters of the river Ganga to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Sage Parashurama, The Rajasthanis indulge in kite flying competitions, the Bengalis start their new Halkhatas (audit books), the Odiyas begin the construction of the chariot for Rathayatra and the South Indians perform the Maha Vishnu Puja.

Many families wait for this auspicious day to purchase a property. This period witnesses high booking of flats in various residential complexes.

People choose this date to observe Housewarming in their new homes to move into it. Industrialists purchase land and celebrate the ceremony of groundbreaking. They also announce new projects or ventures on the illustrious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

The emotional and religious values associated with it intensify this robust business of the real estate. Though this sector is experiencing a recession in the last few years still this date always registers record sales which are much higher concerning other instances.

Akshaya Tritiya always corroborates an unprecedented increase in the number of marriages throughout the country. The piousness of the day signifies eternal bonding and success in the relationship.

In recent years, Akshaya Tritiya has gained commercial importance as every other festival. A vigorous campaign is conducted by banks, jewelry shops, and financial institutions accompanied by complementary advertisements a few weeks before the day making it a complete marketing season. Almost all the prominent Jewellery stores remain open throughout the whole day.

The various offers introduced during this period are specially designed to allure customers. They not only target the creamy layer of society but also gives equal importance to the potential customers from the upper middle and middle-class people. Market researchers advise people to invest in Gold ETFs which is the most reliable option in this fluctuating market.

Apart from its popular name, the festival of Akshaya Tritiya is also known by other names like Akti and Akha Teej. This day is filled with a lot of religious as well as cultural significance, like the birthday of Lord Vishnu’s reincarnation Parshurama. It is also believed that the epic tale of Mahabharata was begun on this very day by the learned scholar Ved Vyas.

The Jain Tirthankara Rishabhanatha also ended his fast on this day by drinking the juice of sugarcane. Hence, a popular food item for this day is sugarcane and its juice is highly sought after for this particular event.

The worship of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi is also performed and it is considered auspicious to buy gold or other precious metals on this day.

Gifts are the best way to express your innermost feelings and thoughts. If you are planning to impress someone or wish for this auspicious occasion, the gift is the perfect idea to make your loved ones smile.

Recently due to educational constraints and business responsibilities, many Indians have settled off-shore. Since it is not possible to visit their home frequently during any occasion or festival, they take the assistance of online gifting sites to wish their loved ones. So send gifts to India on Akshaya Tritiya and win your loved ones’ hearts.

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History of Akshaya Tritiya

According to Puranas, Shastras and ancient history, this day marks a lot of important incidents

• Lord Ganesha and Ved Vyasa strated writing the epic Mahabharata on this day.
• This day is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• On this day, Goddess Annapurna was born.
• On this day, Lord Krishna bestowed wealth and monetary gains on his poor friend Sudama who had come to his rescue for help.
• According to the Mahabharata, on this day Lord Krishna presented the ‘akshaya patra’ to the pandavas while on their exile. He blessed them with this bowl that would continue to produce unlimited amount of food that would never leave them hungry.
• On this day, the River Ganges descended from the heaven on earth.
• It is on this day that Kubera worshipped Goddess Lakshmi and thus was assigned the job of being the treasurer of Gods.
• In Jainism, this day is celebrated to commemorate Lord Adinatha, their first God.

Rituals during Akshaya Tritiya

• Devotees of Vishnu worship the deity on this day by keeping a fast. Later, charity is done by distributing rice, salt, ghee, vegetables, fruits and clothes to the poor. Tulsi water is sprinkled all around as a symbol of Lord Vishnu.
• In Eastern India, this day commences as the first ploughing day for the upcoming harvest season. Also, for businessmen, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped before starting a new audit book for the next financial year. This is known as ‘halkhata’.
• On this day, many people buy gold and gold jewellery. As gold is symbolic of good fortune and wealth, buying this is considered pious on this day.
• People plan weddings and long journeys on this day.
• New business ventures, construction work are started on this day.
• Other rituals include taking a holy bath in the Ganges, offering barley into a sacred fire and making donations and offerings on this day.
• Jains complete their year long tapasya on this day and end their worship by drinking sugarcane juice.
• Performing spiritual activities, meditation and chanting holy mantras is considered important to ensure good fortune in the future.
• Devotees of lord Krishna embalm the deity with sandalwood paste on this day. It is believed that on doing so, the person is bound to reach the heaven after death.

Akshaya Tritiya FAQs

1) Did Treta Yuga start on Akshaya Tritiya?

On the Tritiya of Shukla Paksha of the Vaisakha month is Akshaya Tritiya. The Narad Purana claims that Akshaya Tritiya was when the Treta Yuga began.
Satya Yuga (Krita Yuga): Kartika Shukla Paksha Navami.
Treta Yuga: Vaisakha Shukla Paksha Tritiya.
Dvapara Yuga: Magha Amavasya.
Kali Yuga: Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha Trayodashi.

2) Why is it regarded as auspicious to buy gold on Akshaya Tritiya?

Kubera is exceptionally wealthy that he attained the status of the God of wealth and riches, and it was on the day of Akshaya Tritiya that he was appointed as the Treasurer of the Gods by Lord Shiva. It is believed that anything bought and secured on the day of Akshaya Tritiya will proliferate and multiply, and anything performed on this day will attain success. Therefore, it is considered auspicious to buy gold and valuables alike on Akshaya Tritiya.

Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya which is also known as Akha Teej is highly auspicious and holy day for Hindu communities. It falls during Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the month of Vaishakha. Akshaya Tritiya falling on a Rohini Nakshatra day with Wednesday is considered very auspicious. The word Akshaya (अक्षय) means never diminishing. Hence the benefits of doing any Japa, Yajna, Pitra-Tarpan, Dan-Punya on this day never diminish and remain with the person forever.

Akshaya Tritiya is believed to bring good luck and success. Most people purchase Gold on this day as it is believed that buying Gold on Akshaya Tritiya brings prosperity and more wealth in coming future. Being Akshaya day it is believed that Gold, bought on this day, will never diminish and would continue to grow or appreciate.

Akshaya Tritiya day is ruled by God Vishnu who is the preserver God in the Hindu Trinity. According to Hindu mythology Treta Yuga began on Akshaya Tritiya day. Usually Akshaya Tritiya and Parashurama Jayanti, birthday anniversary of 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, falls on the same day but depending on staring time of Tritiya Tithi Parashurama Jayanti might fall one day before Akshaya Tritiya day.

Vedic astrologers also consider Askshay Tritiya an auspicious day free from all malefic effects. As per Hindu Electional Astrology three lunar days, Yugadi, Akshaya Tritiya and Vijay Dashami don’t need any Muhurta to start or perform any auspicious work as these three days are free from all malefic effects.

History and Significance of Akshaya Tritiya:

Akshaya Tritiya day is ruled by God Vishnu who is considered the preserver God in the Hindu Trinity. According to Hindu mythology, Treta Yuga who is the second yoga began Akshaya Tritiya day. Parshuram Jayanti is also celebrated as Akshaya Tritiya marks the day of the birth of Lord Parshuram. The sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Parshuram (literal meaning, Rama with an axe) descended on earth to save it from the barbarity of the Kshatriyas. The day is celebrated as Parshuram Jayanti in most parts of the country Some legends believe that Sage Vyasa, who authored the Mahabharata began began reciting the Hindu epic to Lord Ganesha on Akshaya Tritiya. Some also say that the river Ganges descended to earth on this day.

Other reasons and stories which mark the significance of this day, one such being that of Lord Krishna’s friend Sudama who visited Dwarka on this day, and while he never asked for any financial help, he had taken a gift of a small bag of rice and in return of that Lord Krishna blessed him with unlimited prosperity. Some stories also suggest that during the Mahabharata, Pandavas received Akshaya Patra, Kubera was blessed with the position as custodian of wealth, and many more. 

Akshaya Tritiya is believed to bring good luck and success. Many people buy Gold on this day as it is believed that buying Gold on Akshaya Tritiya brings prosperity and more wealth. It is beleived that Gold bought on this day will never diminish and would continue to grow.

Akshaya Tritiya FAQs

1) Did Treta Yuga start on Akshaya Tritiya?

On the Tritiya of Shukla Paksha of the Vaisakha month is Akshaya Tritiya. The Narad Purana claims that Akshaya Tritiya was when the Treta Yuga began.
Satya Yuga (Krita Yuga): Kartika Shukla Paksha Navami.
Treta Yuga: Vaisakha Shukla Paksha Tritiya.
Dvapara Yuga: Magha Amavasya.
Kali Yuga: Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha Trayodashi.

2) Why is it regarded as auspicious to buy gold on Akshaya Tritiya?

Kubera is exceptionally wealthy that he attained the status of the God of wealth and riches, and it was on the day of Akshaya Tritiya that he was appointed as the Treasurer of the Gods by Lord Shiva. It is believed that anything bought and secured on the day of Akshaya Tritiya will proliferate and multiply, and anything performed on this day will attain success. Therefore, it is considered auspicious to buy gold and valuables alike on Akshaya Tritiya.

 

Akshaya Tritiya: A Promise of Abundance and Prosperity

Akshaya Tritiya is an auspicious festival observed especially by Hindus and Jains across India. A festival that solicits good luck, fortune and prosperity, Akshaya Tritiya is considered propitious for the fruition of any endeavors.

Also known as Akti or Akha Teej, Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya of the Hindu month of Vaisakha. In the Gregorian Calendar, Akshaya Tritiya, thus, usually falls in the month of April or May.

When is Akshaya Tritiya celebrated?

Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated on the third day of the Shukla paksha of the Indian month of Vaisakh. According to the Gregorian calendar, this falls in the month of April-May. It is on this day that both the Sun and the moon are said to be at their planetary best.

This day is also known as ‘Akha Teej’

Significance of Akshaya Tritiya

Astrologically, on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, the Sun and the Moon are in their brightest phase. They occupy the highest position, emitting the most light on that day.

The planet Venus is also in its brightest position. It is believed that the energies in the world meet linearly, making an amplitude of zero degree. This phenomenon forms a sort of cosmic reset, or punarpravartanam of the energies, which makes way to stimulate a wave of positivity and prosperity.

The third day, or the Tritiya of Shukla Paksha of the Vaisakha month is Akshaya Tritiya. As written in the Narad Puran, Akshaya Tritiya was when the Treta Yuga began. The holy rites performed on this Tritiya is believed to be made everlasting, or Akshaya.

The Satya Yuga and the Treta Yuga are known to have begun in the brighter half, or the Shukla Paksha of the Vaisakha month, while the Dvapar Yuga began in the Krishna Paksha of the Magha month and Kali Yuga began in the Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month.

On this day, devotees worship Narayana, the preceptor of the universe with flowers and unguents. They also take a dip in the holy water of the Ganges to be liberated from all earthly sins.

As per the Narad Purana, devotees should worship Lord Vishnu with unbroken rice grains, mix them with water and cleanse themselves in it.

They must also feed Brahmanas, who are devoted to Lord Vishnu, with flour ground from barley. The Brahmanas who perform the rites on this day are said to attain Vishnu’s blessings, and is bowed to by other Devas.

In Jainism, on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, the first Tirthankara Lord Rishabhadeva received his first aahaar (food) after observing a fast for over a year.

Lord Rishabhadeva, who had spent six months in meditation, spent another six months in search of someone who would offer him his first aahaar with the right rituals in proper discipline.

It was only after this span that he met King Shreyansa of Hastinapur. King Shreyansa comprehended and performed the discipline of aahaar-charya from the memories of his previous life, and it was only when he offered Lord Rishabhadeva some sugarcane juice did the Tirthankara break his fast.

Thus, Akshaya Tritiya became an auspicious day. In honor of Lord Rishabhadeva, who is also known as Lord Adinath, devotees observe a fast on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.

• People plan weddings and long journeys on this day.
• New business ventures, construction work are started on this day.
• Other rituals include taking a holy bath in the Ganges, offering barley into a sacred fire and making donations and offerings on this day.
• Jains complete their year long tapasya on this day and end their worship by drinking sugarcane juice.
• Performing spiritual activities, meditation and chanting holy mantras is considered important to ensure good fortune in the future.
• Devotees of lord Krishna embalm the deity with sandalwood paste on this day. It is believed that on doing so, the person is bound to reach the heaven after death.