Akshaya Tritiya, is one of the most special and auspicious Indian festivals and is believed to give unending prosperity. It is considered to be the day of new beginnings. Buying gold, property, or starting new ventures on this day is believed to bring lasting success.
The day involves prayers, charity, and honoring deities like Vishnu and Lakshmi, signifying a time for both material gain and spiritual merit. It is often said that the human mind is like a Kalpavriksha or a wishing tree, and whatever you think, amplifies and happens in your life.
Akshaya Tritiya is like the Kalpavriksha of festivals. Why? Because it is believed that whatever is bought on this day, and whichever good deed is done, it multiplies and comes back to us in various ways. And so people celebrate Akshaya Tritiya like an auspicious festival.
As the Tritiya Tithi begins before 12 PM and in the Brahma Muhurat, Akshaya Tritiya will be celebrated on the same day.
The Story behind Akshaya Tritiya
The story of Akshaya Tritiya is believed to have started with the gift of Akshaya Patra. During the period of exile, the Pandavas faced difficulty feeding all their guests. And one day, when Krishna visited them and they had to send him away without a proper feast, they felt sad and sorry about their state.
Looking at their nature and their feelings, it is said that Krishna gave Draupadi the Akshaya Patra, a pot from which food flows endlessly. This ensured that no visitor left hungry.
The Birth of Parshuram
Akshaya Tritiya is also celebrated as the birthday of Parashuram, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, and the Brahman who had to take up arms like a Kshatriya to protect people from tyrannical rulers.
Parashuram is believed to be a symbol of justice, valour, and righteousness, and one of the warriors who will guide Kalki when the time is right.
The Significance of Akshaya Tritiya
The word ‘Akshaya’ means ‘never diminishing’ and "Tritiya" refers to the third day of the lunar cycle. Therefore, Akshaya Tritiya is a day that promises unending success, prosperity, and happiness to people, and people are advised to keep a clear, calm, and abundant mind during this day.
People are also advised to start something new on this day, if they are thinking about it, and it is considered positive and auspicious to start a new business, buy property, or begin new projects on this day. And it is said that the power of this day will bring permanent success in life.
It is also said that wealth acquired on Akshaya Tritiya, be it gold, silver, money, funds, or anything similar, grows manifold over time. People also say that apart from material wealth, devotional activities like prayers, fasting, and charity performed on this day also help in washing away past sins and earning spiritual merit.
Some people, after consulting their astrologers and priests, also decide to get married on Akshaya Tritiya, as it is considered extremely lucky and is said to bring unlimited and everlasting happiness to the life of the couple.
What to Buy on Akshaya Tritiya
Traditionally, buying precious metals and some other items of value is considered auspicious and beneficial on Akshaya Tritiya. And the most bought things on Akshaya Tritiya are Gold and Silver, two elements that Indians love accumulating.
It is believed that buying gold or silver on this day, be it in the form of jewellery, rings, coins, or in any other form, brings permanent wealth and security, and even digital gold is now bought by people to hop onto the bandwagon.
If someone does not have the time or money to buy gold bars or coins, they invest a little amount in digital Gold instead. On this day, people also invest in land, flats, or commercial properties as it is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity in people’s lives.
A land or flat, or house that is bought on Akshaya Tritiya is considered good in Vastu and promises peace in people’s lives. Some families also invest in and buy cars, bikes, or commercial vehicles, believing that new possessions purchased on this day will always remain fruitful.
But as India becomes a digital-first nation, people also start new investments, open bank accounts, or invest in stock markets on Akshaya Tritiya, be it mutual funds, stocks, gold ETFs, or more.
And people who cannot gold, land, or anything extravagant, they invest in simple items like cotton, earthen pots, rock salt, and the likes. Why? All of these are considered to be positive, pure, and healing in nature, and connected to the Earth in some way, and thus people buy them.
Rituals for Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya has similar rituals to many other Hindu festivals, and it all starts with early morning prayers, taking a bath, and the likes. Devotees wake up early and take a shower, and if they are near a sacred river, they prefer going there to cleanse themselves.
If not, just add some Gangajal to your water, and that is believed to have a similar effect. Then there are special pujas performed in homes and temples, and Vishnu, the protector of the universe, is worshipped along with Lakshmi, the deity of wealth.
Devotees offer them flowers, fruits, sweets, and tulsi leaves, and pray for a better future. And today, one of the most important parts of Akshaya Tritiya is not just buying and accumulating material wealth, but also doing charity.
People donate food, clothes, money, grains, water, and other essentials to the needy, and in some regions, donating cows, umbrellas, shoes, and sugar is also considered highly auspicious on this day as it helps a man in need.
People do not just rush to jewellers to accumulate wealth, they also head to the nearby orphanages, old age homes, temples, and similar places to donate and do charity work for the people who need it, be it donating clothes or feeding them.
In the end, whatever good deed or Karma is done or accumulated on this day, multiplies and comes back to a devotee, and their good deeds are rewarded.
