Akshaya Tritiya
The word ‘Akshaya’ means imperishable and eternal prosperity that which never diminishes; hence any new ventures or beginnings made and valuables bought on this day are considered auspicious to bring good fortune and success.
Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most sacred and widely celebrated festivals of Hindus. It falls on the third lunar day (Tritiya) of the bright half moon of the ‘Vaishakh’ month (April-May). The special fasts and feasts of the Vaishakh month begin with Akshaya Tritiya.
According to Hindu astrology, every moment of this day is considered auspicious as one among the four most sacred and golden days of a year to start new business ventures, purchases, investing, griha pravesh and marriages etc.
Buying gold is a popular activity on Akshaya Tritiya, as it is the ultimate symbol of wealth and prosperity. Gold and gold jewellery bought and worn on this day signify never diminishing good fortune.
Astrological significance
The reason for this day to be auspicious is the position of Sun and Moon on that particular day. Every year, Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (between April 14th and May 14th) when the Sun in Aries and Moon in Taurus are in exalted position and that too at their peak of brightness simultaneously. This rare combination happens only once every year.
As the Sun, the lord of the planets and the Moon the lord of creativity (sense) are exalted, the day is considered to be an auspicious day in India.
The day believes to gain more importance when it falls on a Monday or when the moon is in Rohini. This year Akshaya Tritiya falls on 8th May 2008 on Thursday.
Religious significance
· According to Vedas, ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ marks the beginning of Treta Yug.
· The great sage ‘Parashurama’, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu was born on this day. The Puranas speak about how he reclaimed the land from the sea.
· Veda Vyasa along with Lord Ganesha started writing the great epic, the Mahabharata.
· Mother Ganges also descended to earth on this day. Hence A dip in the Ganges on this day is considered to be very auspicious.
· Vedas say that knowledge gained or charity done on this day is very fruitful and never ending.
It has been a ritual since years that people do some good deeds on this day such as donating food in temples, forgiving and forgetting the past to renew relationships, resolving to leave bad habits and practicing good habits in life etc. This is the actual significance behind celebrating this festival beside other scientific, religious, astrological significances which ultimately works for the betterment of an individual as well as a society.
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