Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej is considered to be as auspicious as any other major Hindu festival in India. It is believed to be a favourable day to start a new venture, buy something significant, and most importantly, the best day or muhurta to get married. All over the country, this day is considered auspicious for buying gold jewellery too.But, that is not all! This day holds a more important cultural and religious significance than just that.
Importance and religious significance
Akshaya means ‘eternal’ and Tritiya stands for ‘third day'. This day falls on the third day of the bright lunar fortnight of the Hindu month of Vaishakh, and so the name. It is said that holy rites, rituals and acts of charity performed on this day bring unending bliss, grace, and prosperity. The grand importance of this day roots back to Indian mythology.
Some popular beliefs and stories related to Akshaya Tritiya
It is said that the God of wealth and the treasurer of all deities, Kubera, prayed to Goddess Lakshmi on this special day, and was granted the gift of perpetual wealth and prosperity. That is why, this day is so auspicious for starting new ventures, buying a new property or gold, or getting married, as it assures prosperity and benefits. In many households, a daylong Kubera-Lakshmi puja is performed on this day.
The holy river Ganges descended on Earth from the heavens on this day.
This is the day when the sage Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, was born.
Treta Yug, the period of the holy Ramayana, commenced.
Ved Vyasa initiated the recital of the great Indian epic Mahabharata before lord Ganesha.
Lord Krishna’s childhood friend Sudama, visited Dwarka to him and offered him a humble gift of poha (rice flakes). Therefore, Vaishnavas (worshippers of lord Vishnu) fast throughout the day and open their fasts with rice.
It is said that the God of wealth and the treasurer of all deities, Kubera, prayed to Goddess Lakshmi on this special day, and was granted the gift of perpetual wealth and prosperity. That is why, this day is so auspicious for starting new ventures, buying a new property or gold, or getting married, as it assures prosperity and benefits. In many households, a daylong Kubera-Lakshmi puja is performed on this day.
The holy river Ganges descended on Earth from the heavens on this day.
This is the day when the sage Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, was born.
Treta Yug, the period of the holy Ramayana, commenced.
Ved Vyasa initiated the recital of the great Indian epic Mahabharata before lord Ganesha.
Lord Krishna’s childhood friend Sudama, visited Dwarka to him and offered him a humble gift of poha (rice flakes). Therefore, Vaishnavas (worshippers of lord Vishnu) fast throughout the day and open their fasts with rice.
Akshay Tritya Significance for couples
According to a South Indian legend, Goddess Madhura got married to God Sundaresa (an incarnation of lord Shiva) on this day. Therefore, the couples who get married on this day are blessed with eternal prosperity and bliss, by the Gods themselves. Akshaya Tritiya always sees an unprecedented rush in the number of marriages taking place in the country. There is an unmatched demand for bookings in the top tier cities of the country, and the wedding resource vendors have a field day with business pouring in from all sides.
The auspiciousness of this day arises from the belief that on this day, the Sun and the Moon are in their most radiant phase and, astrologically at an exalted position. It is believed that even the couples with mismatched horoscopes can get rid of all the negativity by getting married on Akshaya Tritiya.
In many states, mass community marriages are held under a single mandap, on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, to help the brides and the grooms with limited financial means to have a decent wedding, with all the religious splendour.
In many states, mass community marriages are held under a single mandap, on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, to help the brides and the grooms with limited financial means to have a decent wedding, with all the religious splendour.
Shopping for gold
Like we mentioned before, the word Akshaya means eternal or something that cannot be destroyed. So, it is a popular belief that buying something that denotes prosperity, such as gold, on this special day, assures unending affluence and growth. If not jewellery, many people simply buy small gold coins with Goddess Lakshmi engraved on them.
