Significance of Akshaya Tritiya

For Hindus and Jains, Akshaya Tritiya is a very auspicious day. It is also called Akha Teej. ‘Akshaya’ means ‘that which never diminishes.’ People believe that by celebrating Akshaya Tritiya with the proper rituals, one’s wealth and abundance will keep growing. In fact, this day is so auspicious that one does not need to look for a good Muhurtham to perform a wedding or housewarming, etc., on this day.

Whatever the activity –material or spiritual - one undertakes on this day is bound to give good results. Though many tend to purchase gold and silver coins and jewelry on this day, it is also an ideal day for performing acts of charity, doing Tarpanam, and engaging in spiritual endeavors like japa, meditation, yoga, reading the Scriptures, etc. Many also plant trees, feed the poor, donate things, sponsor a needy child’s education, etc.

By doing such things on this auspicious day, one can gain the spiritual strength to perform their karmas. This gradually leads to spiritual progress and material abundance.

Akshaya Tritiya is on the 3rd lunar day of Shukla Paksha (waxing Moon phase) in the month of Vaishaka (April-May). In Sanskrit, the word Vaishaka means ‘churning stick’. In this month, one churns out the essence, the purest. The festivals that are held this month focus on purification. For instance, Parashurama Jayanthi is on the same day as Akshaya Tritiya. Parashurama is the 6th incarnation of Vishnu, who was born on earth to purify it of the arrogant Kshatriya kings who committed many atrocities. It is also the day the Ganges descended to earth to purify the ancestors of Bhagiratha.

During this month, Chaitra Purnima is observed. On this day, Yama purifies the sins of people. The Sun and Moon are at their brightest on this auspicious day. The Sun signifies the soul, and the Moon signifies the mind. So both can be easily purified on this day. 

Significance of Akshaya Tritiya

Whatever you do on Akshaya Tritiya, its results do not diminish. On the contrary, they tend to multiply. There are 2 kinds of activities that people may perform, as per the scriptures. One relates to spiritual (soul) matters, while the other relates to material (body) pursuits. The results of material activities are not permanent, whereas spiritual activities lead to eternal bliss, which is permanent. So this day is important for performing meditation, Yajna, Japa, acts of charity, Pitru Tarpanam, etc. The benefits that we can derive from these are permanent and satisfy our souls.

The Treta Yuga supposedly began on this day. All good work that is performed on Akshaya Tritiya brings manifold blessings. People also buy gold as it can attract unlimited good fortune. Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and good fortune, appointed Kubera as the divine treasurer on this day, says mythology. So people believe that buying gold makes Kubera happy. Vishnu rules this day. He, along with Lakshmi and Kubera, is worshipped on Akshaya Tritiya.

What to Do on Akshaya Tritiya?

Take a holy bath

Take a holy bath in a holy river, as it can get rid of all negative vibes. People flock to the banks of holy rivers like the Ganges, Kaveri, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, and Krishna on this auspicious day.

Honor the ancestors

The Bhagavad Gita says that we should offer oblations to our forefathers on Akshaya Tritiya day. By doing Shraddh or Tarpanam, we can release them from the sufferings caused by their sins. Akshaya Tritiya is ideal for such offerings.

Vishnu, Lakshmi, and Kubera Pooja

Do Poojas to honor Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu, and Kubera. Akshaya Tritiya also has great astrological significance. So people also perform Poojas as a remedy for Graha doshas. There is no need to select a ‘muhurat’ on this day as the entire day is free of malefic influences. A lot of marriages and new beginnings take place on this day.

Different types of Poojas may be performed on Akshaya Tritiya to gain many benefits.

Ashwa Pooja

Ashwa/horse is the disciple of the planet Mars, which represents command and energy. Ashwa Pooja can bring positivity and mental peace.

Gho/Cow Pooja

The cow symbolizes love, kindness, and warmth. She represents planet Venus. Cow Pooja on this day is very auspicious.

Gaja/Elephant Pooja

Gaja Pooja helps invoke the blessings of Ganesha. Elephants are worshipped to sustain wealth and prosperity.

Ganapati Homam

This is performed to seek the blessings of Ganesha by the donation of things to the holy fire.

Mahalakshmi and Mahavishnu Pooja

Vishnu is the Preserver, and Lakshmi is the custodian of wealth and prosperity. This Pooja invokes their blessings for good health, wealth, and fortune.

Sathyanarayana Pooja

It helps invoke the blessings of Vishnu.

Lakshmi Pooja

This is to please the Goddess of wealth. Akshaya Tritiya is the best day for it.

Lakshmi Kubera Pooja

This Pooja can bring everlasting material, physical, emotional, and spiritual wealth, as well as peace, harmony, and prosperity. Lakshmi is worshipped with Sudarshana Kubera Yantra.

Donations on Akshaya Tritiya

Various donations should be made on Akshaya Tritiya, and one can gain many benefits from it.

· Hand fan, footwear, clothes, and caps for the head (to overcome diseases)

· Rice, ghee, salt, sugar, fruits, and vegetables (for a higher position in life)

· Curd rice, coconut water, sugarcane juice (overcome negative deeds and progress in life)

· Sweet amla sharbat, panakam (get rid of poverty)

· Aam Panna, chaas/mor/buttermilk (progress in studies)

As it is a very auspicious day, one can also perform Grihapravesh Pooja, Vaastu Shanthi Pooja or havan, weddings, office Poojas, etc., for successful outcomes.

Akshaya Tritiya 2023 is on April 22, a Saturday.