Akshaya Tritiya 2023

Akshaya Tritiya, which is also known as Akti or Akha Teej, is an important Hindu festival that is celebrated every year in India and Nepal. As per the Hindu calendar, the third day of the waxing phase of the Vaishakha lunar month (April-May) marks the arrival of this auspicious day. The term "Akshaya" means "everlasting" or "imperishable," while "Tritiya" denotes "third." Therefore, this day is deemed highly advantageous for new endeavors, investments, and acquisitions. This write-up will cover all you need to know about Akshaya Tritiya 2023, encompassing its relevance, puja timing, fasting and worship procedures, katha (narrative), and much more.

 

Akshaya Tritiya Puja Mahurat , Tith and time 

This year, Akshaya Tritiya falls on April 22, 2023. The puja mahurat for Akshaya Tritiya is considered extremely important as it is believed that any auspicious work initiated during this time will bring prosperity and success. 

 

Importance of Akshaya Tritiya 

1-Akshaya Tritiya is an auspicious festival celebrated by Hindus and Jains.

2-On the Hindu calendar, the month of Vaishakha's bright fortnight's third day, which typically occurs in April or May, is when this occasion takes place.

Here are some of the reasons why Akshaya Tritiya is considered important:

• The day holds great significance in terms of initiating fresh undertakings or making investments, as it is regarded as propitious.

• Buying Gold on this day is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

• Spiritual practices done on this day are believed to yield great benefits and help one progress on their spiritual path.

• In certain regions of India, this day indicates the commencement of the harvest period, and farmers pay homage to their tools and livestock.

• For Jains, this day holds significant importance as it is observed as the birthday of Lord Adinatha, who is regarded as the initial Tirthankara in Jainism.

• Donating food or clothing to those in needs is considered a virtuous act that can help increase one's good deeds and improve one's financial status.

• Taking a dip in the Ganges on this day is a promising act that can help purify one's soul and remove any sins.

• Pitra Shradh can also be performed on this day, and offering items such as barley, curd-rice, and milk products to Brahmins is recommended.

• This day is considered an excellent time to perform Shradh and Tarpan in honor of one's ancestors or forefathers, particularly at an early age.

• Parashuraam and Hayagreeva are celebrated on this day, Tretayug begins, and the doors of Shri Badrinath Ji remain open throughout the day.

 Akshaya Tritiya fast and worship method

This occasion is widely believed to be auspicious, and it is said that any good deed undertaken on this day will result in manifold blessings and rewards. One of the ways to seek blessings on Akshaya Tritiya is by observing a fast and performing puja. Here is a guide on the fast and worship method for Akshaya Tritiya.

Fasting on Akshaya Tritiya

Fasting on Akshaya Tritiya is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and success. It is believed that on this day, by observing a fast, one can purify the mind, body, and soul and receive the blessings of the deities. When visiting a temple during Akshaya Tritiya, it is customary to offer Lord Vishnu a bath using water from the Ganges River. Afterward, you should offer a garland of yellow flowers or a single yellow flower to the Holy Basil (Tulsi) plant. This is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. The fast can be observed from sunrise to sunset or for the entire day. Some people observe a waterless fast, while others consume fruits and milk.

Worship method for Akshaya Tritiya

The worship method for Akshaya Tritiya is simple and can be done at home. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1.Clean the puja area and decorate it with flowers, rangoli, and other traditional decorations.

2.Place a picture or idol of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi on the puja altar.

3.Light a lamp and incense sticks and offer the deities flowers, fruits, and sweets.

4.Recite the Akshaya Tritiya Vrat Katha, which narrates the day's significance and how Lord Vishnu blessed his devotees with prosperity and good fortune.

5.Offer Akshat (rice grains mixed with turmeric) to the deities and sprinkle it around the puja altar.

6.Chant the Akshaya Tritiya Mantra: "Om Namo Bhagavata Vasudeva" or any other mantra that invokes the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.

7.Conclude the puja by performing the aarti and distributing Prasad to the family members.

8.Donate food, clothes, or money to needy people on this auspicious day.

 

Why is Akshaya Tritiya celebrated?

Akshaya Tritiya holds various significant beliefs and thoughts in Hinduism. Some of these include:

• Celebrating the birth of Lord Vishnu's sixth incarnation, Parashurama, who was born to Maharishi Jamadagni and Mata Renukadevi. This day is dedicated to worshipping Lord Vishnu and Parashurama.

• Acknowledging the day when Mother Ganga descended from heaven to earth. Taking a dip in the sacred Ganges on this day is said to purify and absolve individuals of their sins and transgressions.

• Celebrating the birthday of Mother Annapurna, who is known to bless the taste of food. Feeding the poor is an important ritual on this day to seek blessings and keep one's kitchen filled.

• Observing the day when Maharishi Ved Vyas Ji began writing the Mahabharata, which includes the empowered Shrimad Bhagwat Gita. Reciting the 18th chapter of the Srimad Bhagwat Gita is considered auspicious on this day.

• Commencing new accounts and business ventures after worshipping Lord Ganesha and Mata Lakhmiji, also known as 'HALKHATA' in Bengal.

• Honouring Lord Kuber and Mata Lakshmi, as suggested by Lord Shankarji. Mata Lakshmi is worshipped on this day for wealth and prosperity.

• Remembering when Pandava's son Yudhishthira received the Akshaya Patra, which is always believed to have abundant food? Some people offer Sattu of barley or wheat, cucumber, and soaked gram dal to honor Nara-Narayana, Parashurama, and Hayagreeva Ji.

Akshaya Tritiya Katha

When Yudhishthira asked Sri Krishna about the significance of Akshaya Tritiya, Krishna explained that this day is very auspicious. Any person who performs rituals, takes a bath before noon, and donates to the needy will receive great benefits. It marks the beginning of the golden age. A well-known story related to this day is about a Vaishya named Dharmadas, who believed in honesty and had a large family. After learning about the importance of fasting, he took a bath in the holy Ganges and worshipped the almighty with dedication. He then gave various items like Ladoos, fans, water-filled jugs, barley, wheat, salt, Sattu, curd, rice, jaggery, Gold, and clothes to Brahmins, despite facing challenges in life. Due to his devotion and charity, he became the king of Kushavati at his next birth and remained devoted to religion even after becoming wealthy.

Katha 

Once upon a time, a poor farmer named Vishnu Sharma lived with his family in a small village. He worked hard daily but never seemed to have enough to feed his family. One day, he heard about the significance of Akshaya Tritiya and decided to perform a special puja on this auspicious day.

Rising early, he purified himself with a sacred bath, and then proceeded to the temple to offer his sincere prayers to the deities. With deep devotion, he entreated the blessings of the gods and goddesses, particularly Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.

 

After completing his puja, he returned home and found a small piece of Gold outside his door. He was surprised and wondered how it got there. But he considered it a blessing from the divine and used it to buy seeds for his farm.

To his surprise, the crop yield was much higher than usual that year. He sold the extra produce and earned a good profit. The following year, he invested the profit in his farm, and again, the yield was even higher.

 

Over the years, Vishnu Sharma became a prosperous farmer and a wealthy man. He always remembered the blessings of Akshaya Tritiya and continued to perform the puja every year. He also donated some of his wealth to the poor and needy on this auspicious day.

Thus, the story of Vishnu Sharma teaches us that by performing good deeds and seeking divine blessings on Akshaya Tritiya, one can attain prosperity and success in life.

God Gives Vision

On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, the doors of Shri Badrinarayan are kept open, and devotees witness the feet of 'Shri Vigrah' in Vrindavan's Shri Banke Bihari Ji temple. Usually, the feet of the deity are wrapped in clothes for the rest of the year. Thakurs offer soaked gram dal and sugar candy to Badrinarayan Ji by placing a picture of him on the throne or visiting the temple. It is believed that the personification of Lord Parashurama took place on this day.

 

This festival is known for its charity-oriented significance. The Mahabharata War ended, and the Dwapar Yuga ended on this day. Consuming 'Sattu,' wearing new clothes and jewelry, and donating cows, land, and gold vessels are considered highly virtuous on Akshaya Tritiya. This day marks the end of spring and the beginning of summer, according to the Panchang. It is also known as the Mahaparva of donations, and according to the Puranas, a person who donates on this day attains a place in Vaikuntha Dham.

 

What should we donate on the day of Akshaya Tritiya? 

• Donating Kum Kum can lead to gaining status in life and ensuring the longevity of your husband.

• Donating Betel Leaves can help a person become a ruler of a nation.

• Donating a Bed or Mattress can bring all the happiness one seeks.

• Donating Slippers can prevent a person from going to hell after this lifetime.

• Donating a Coconut can help the last seven generations attain salvation.

• Donating Clothes to poor people can free a person from diseases.

• Offering Water with Betel nut to a Brahmin can bless a person with immense wealth.

• Donating Fruits can help secure a higher position in life.

• Donating Milk, Butter, and Buttermilk can aid in progressing in academics and other studies.

• Donating Grains can keep a person protected from untimely death.

• Performing Tarpanam can help one get rid of poverty.

• Eating Curd Rice can help overcome negativity and achieve goals in life.

• Offering Guru Dakshina can bestow a person with immense knowledge.

 

Why is Gold bought on Akshaya Tritiya?

It is said that buying Gold on this day brings good fortune and blessings from Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

According to Hindu mythology, on Akshaya Tritiya, Lord Vishnu and his wife, Goddess Lakshmi, visit the earth and bless the devotees. It is believed that buying Gold on this day symbolizes inviting the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi into one's life. Purchasing gold on this day is thought to bring good fortune, joy, and financial stability, as it is also considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

Moreover, as per astrology, the position of the sun and the moon on this day is said to be ideal for investing in Gold, which makes it an auspicious day to purchase Gold. Therefore, buying Gold on Akshaya Tritiya has become a popular tradition in India and is considered a good investment for the future.

 

Do’s and Don’ts on Akshay Tritiya

Things to do on Akshay Tritiya:

1. Donate to charity: Akshay Tritiya is considered an auspicious day to do charity. Donate to the poor, the needy, or a charitable organization to earn blessings and good karma.

2. Purchase Gold: It is believed that buying Gold on Akshay Tritiya is highly auspicious and brings prosperity and good luck.

3. Perform Tarpanam: Offer tarpanam to your ancestors and seek their blessings. It is believed that doing so can help you get rid of poverty.

4. Bathe in holy rivers: Take a dip in the holy rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, or Godavari to wash away your sins and purify your soul.

5. Observe fast: Fasting on Akshay Tritiya is considered highly auspicious. It is believed that fasting can help you earn blessings and good karma.

Things not to do on Akshay Tritiya

1. Avoid cutting trees or plants: Cutting trees or plants on this day is believed to bring bad luck and negative energy.

2. Avoid indulging in negative thoughts: Akshay Tritiya is considered an auspicious day, and it is believed that negative thoughts can hinder the positive energy that the day brings.

3. Avoid consuming non-vegetarian food: It is believed that consuming non-vegetarian food on this day can bring bad luck and negative energy.

4. Avoid buying leather items: Buying leather items on Akshay Tritiya is considered inauspicious.

5. Avoid arguments or conflicts: It is believed that engaging in arguments or conflicts on Akshay Tritiya can bring bad luck and negative energy. It is better to maintain a peaceful and positive environment.

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