Akshaya Trithiya

Krishna presents Draupadi with Akshaya Patra, on Akshaya Tritiya, during the exile of the Pandavas to the forest.

Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akti or Akha Teej, Manda (Jharkhand) is an annual Hindu and Jain spring festival. It falls on the third tithi (lunar day) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Vaisakha. It is regionally observed as an auspicious day by Hindus, Jains and Jharkhand tribals in India and Nepal,as it signifies the "third day of unending prosperity".

The day is considered auspicious by Hindus and Jains in many regions of India for new ventures, marriages, expensive investments such as gold or other property.

After prayers, the women distribute germinating gram (sprouts), fresh fruits and Indian sweets.

 If Akshaya Tritiya falls on a Monday (Rohini ) the festival is believed to be even more auspicious.

 Fasting, charity and helping others on this day is another festive practice.[

Significance of Akshaya Tritiya in Hinduism:

1. Birthday of Lord Parshuram (6th Avatar of Lord Vishnu)

2. Birthday of Maa Annapurna

3. The beginning of Treta Yug

4. Lord Ganesh started writing Mahabharat which was narrated by Ved Vyas

5. Maa Durga won the battle against Mahishasur

6. Surya Dev gave Akshaya Patra (It contained Food that Never Ends) to Yudhishthir

7. Lord Shiva granted the position of Treasurer to Kuber

8. Avataran (Descent) of Maa Ganga on The earth.

9. Lord Krishna saved Draupadi by supplying unlimited sari to cover her.

Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas received the gift of “Akshaya Patra” from Sun-God.

10. Sudama went to his friend Krishna to seek help. He took flattened paddy (aval) with him. He was very hesitant to ask for help and returned without actually asking for it. But Lord Krishna knew everything, so when Sudama returned to his home, he found everything he needed.

On this day, Mother Ganga descended on Earth.

• On this day, Kubera received his position as the Lord of Wealth.

• The construction of chariots of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva and Mata Subhadra, for celebrating annual Ratha Yatra festival at Jagannatha Puri, also begin on this auspicious day.

• In the temple of Kshira-chora Gopinath (Remuna, Orissa), the deities of Madana-mohana, Govinda and Gopinath are smeared with sandalwood paste on this day

Story

A person named Dharmdas, was very poor. But after he got to know the importance of Akshaya Tritiya, he used to bathe in the Ganges, offered worship to Lord Vishnu, and Maa Laxmi, observed fast and gave charity. His family got worried, as to why he was doing charity as they were so poor, but he kept on doing the good work. He died later but became the king of Kushavati in his next birth, because of good deeds and charity work in his previous birth.

According to Vedic literature great blessing is accomplished via reading scriptures, performing special pujas, worshipping the family deity (Ishta Dev), donating to charities, paying tribute to one’s ancestors, associating with devotees, feeding Brahmins, planting and watering trees, feeding the destitute, and so on.

When these acts are carried out on this day, one gains spiritual stamina to carry out their karmas as specified. As a result, both spiritual prosperity and material opulence are progressively attained.

Very important, and related to the name of the festival itself, is the presentation of the Akshaya Patra  to Draupadi  by Lord Krishna during the visit of numerous saintly guests, including the sage Durvasa.. During their exile in the forest, the Pandava  princes were famished due to the lack of food, and their wife Draupadi was pained by this because she could not extend the customary hospitality to their guests. Yudhisthira who was the eldest, prayed to Lord Surya who gave him this bowl, which would remain full till Draupadi served all of their guests.

During Sage Durvasa's visit, Lord Krishna made this bowl invincible for Draupadi so that the magical bowl called Akshaya Patra would always remain full with food of their choice, even as to satiate the whole universe if required.

Very significantly, the Yamunotri temple  and Gangotri temple are opened on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya during the chota char dham pilgrimage  pilgrimage, after closing down during the heavy snowfall-laden winters in Himalayasa. The temples are opened on Abhijit Muhurat of Akshaya Tritya.

This day is highly auspicious for those who buy gold and silver. buy rice, deposit money in a bank account, buy any kind of new things or vessels visiting famous temples, donating foods or special offer for poor peoples, or helping poor children for there education fees ,all are good signs for akshaya tritya.

In Kerala Akshaya Thrithiya day is celebrated as Bala Rama Jayanthi. Special poojas are held at Guruvayur temple. Bala Rama, the elder brother of Sri Krishna, wears a hal or plough - farmers’ most important implement

Balaraman