Akshaya Tritiya is a Hindu holy day, that falls on the third Tithi (Lunar day) of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of Hindu month of Vaishakha. The day is auspicious astrologically as the two luminaries are also in its full strength, viz, the Sun is exalted in Aries and the Moon should, in ideal circumstances, also be exalted in Taurus. This day is ruled 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 holy and sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven.
The word "Akshaya" means the never diminishing in Sanskrit and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. It is belived that if you do a charity on this day you will be blessed and will receive blessings many fold. The day is particularly considered auspicious for starting new ventures. The legend states that any venture initiated on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya shall continue to grow and bring prosperity. Hence, it is normal to see many of the new ventures, like starting a business, ground breaking for construction on the Akshaya Tritiya.
According to Hindu mythology, Akshay Tritiiya was the day when Veda Vyasa started dictating the epic Mahabharata to Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and obstacle removal.
It is also traditionally observed as the birthday of Parashurama, the sixth avatar (incarnation) of god Vishnu. The Puranic scriptures speak about how he reclaimed the land from the sea.
Goa and Konkan regions, even today, are referred to as Parusurama Kshetra. Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of the bright-half of the lunar month of Vaisakha is considered as one of the most sacred days of the year.
Sudama or Kuchela visited Lord Krishna in Dwarka with a handful of rice (poha or So the day is generally observed by fasting and worship Lord Vasudeva with rice grains. A dip in the river Ganga on this day is considered to be very auspicious. Parashuram Jayanti is also observed on this day
The Vedic scriptures say that knowledge gained or charity done on this day is very fruitful. It is considered to be very lucky day to start new business or venture. Many people buy gold or property on this day.
Fasts are kept on this day and pujas are performed. In charity, fan, rice, salt, ghee, sugar, vegetables, tamarind, fruit, clothes, are given. Vishnu is worshipped on this day. Tulsi water is sprinkled in the nearby are of the idol while performing aarti.
In Bengal, on the day of the Akshay Tritiiya, "HalKhata" - a ceremony to start the new audit book is performed - with the worship of Ganesha and goddess Lakshmi. Bengalis perform many rites and rituals on this day.
This day is also most auspicious day for the Jat farming community. Early morning, a male member of Jat family goes to field with shovel. All the animals and birds encountered on the way to the field indicates omen and predictions for rains and crops. Akshay Tritiiya is also an occasion for weddings, which are conducted in mass marriage ceremonies.
It is believed that god Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, is the richest deity. Lakshmi Tantram says that even Kubera will pray to goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and consort of Vishnu, on this day. On this day, a day-long Kubera Lakshmi Puja is performed in which an image of Lakshmi is worshipped along with Sudarsana Kubera Yantra, symbolising Kubera.
As gold is considered very auspicious and safest investment so people in India buy gold on this day of Akshaya Tritiya .
