What is Akshay Tritiya? Why & How to celebrate?
Akshaya Tritiya is regarded as one of the most auspicious days for new beginnings. This festival occurs on the third day (Tritiya) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Vaishakha every year.
The word ‘Akshaya’ in Sanskrit means inexhaustible, that which is unlimited or everlasting. Thus this festival is a celebration of unending happiness, peace and prosperity.
Akshaya Tritiya is linked to a number of historic events.
- Satya Yuga & Treta-yuga begins on this day.
- It was on this day that Sudama, a poor brahmana, went to Dwaraka and met His childhood friend, Lord Krishna. Though Sudama never asked the Lord for any help, Lord Krishna blessed him with unlimited prosperity in return for his most humble offering of chipped rice. In spite of possessing great riches, Sudama remained a great devotee of the Lord and never forgot Him till the end of his life. Consequently, he attained the supreme perfection.
Thus Akshaya Tritiya is also a festival of Lord Sri Krishna’s blessings for prosperity and devotion
3. Draupadi was protected by Lord Krishna twice on this day, once when He provided her an unlimited sari at the dice game in return for a tiny piece of cloth, and later, when she needed to provide food for Durvasa muni, the Lord took a single grain of rice from her pot and satisfied the hunger of all the sages.Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, received the famous akshaya-patra from Lord Krishna on this day.
4. It is also the appearance day of Lord Parasurama.The third day in the bright fortnight of vaishaakha is the day of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Parashurama. The icon is decorated with an axe, to depict Him in a heroic pose.
5. Beginning of chandan yatra (sun is directly above our head for 21 days and hence chandan yatra lasts that long).
6.Sage Vyasadeva began to write the epic Mahabharata on this auspicious day for the welfare of all people in general including women and children.
7. To deliver people from sins, Mother Ganges touched earth for the first time on this day.
How to Celebrate ?
Akshaya-tritiya is a very auspicious day for even a slight amount of religious activity or devotional service rendered on that day grants inexhaustible benefit. We should Chant more, read scriptures, doing Kirtan, have darshan, associate with devotees, discuss Krsna past times, cook for Krsna and whatever service we can do for him according to our nature with love and devotion. Connecting ourselves and others in our family to God is the best thing we can do on this day.
On the day of Akshaya Tritya, one must participate in the special puja that takes place in honour of Mother Ganga and bathes in the sacred river. Despite that, one must also participate in noble deeds of charity by helping those who are in need. One must donate ghee, sugar, grain, fruits, vegetables, clothes and money on this day since it is believed that the blessings from the deeds done on this day always stay with the doer. Helping those who need something is always considered to be a good deed, however, performing them on this day further blesses the doer. Anything donated with good intentions can be the best donation made.
