Akshaya Tritiya has significant cultural and religious importance for both Hindus and Jains. For many people across India, Akshaya Tritiya is a day of good fortune and prosperity. This festival is considered auspicious for starting new projects like new job, new house, new vehicle, new venture, etc., making investments, buying gold and conducting other religious ceremonies.
The Essence of Akshaya Tritiya
In the spirit of Akshaya Tritiya, a day symbolising eternal prosperity and abundance, we are reminded of doing good. Performing good deeds on this day is believed to bring good luck and prosperity that can last for the whole year. As an NGO committed to providing mid-day meals to underprivileged children, we recognise the transformative power of giving nutritious food, not just as sustenance but as a symbol of hope and opportunity.
Celebrations Across India
While the essence of Akshaya Tritiya remains the same, its celebration varies across different regions of India.
Uttar Pradesh
A common belief prevails in Vrindavan that this day is the first day of creation. Only on this day, the feet of Lord Krishna (Banke Bihari) is seen in Banke Bihari temple. Many people across the world travel to Uttar Pradesh to seek blessings for a whole year of abundance.
Odisha
Akshaya Tritiya marks the beginning of the construction of ‘rath’ (chariot) for the Rath Yatra. As a part of the festivities, farmers offer seeds to Goddess Lakshmi and start sowing seeds in their fields, praying for a rich harvest season. Also, in the western part of this state, as a belief, people avoid eating green leafy vegetables as it brings bad luck.
Maharashtra
Women in Maharashtra gather and invoke Goddess Gowri as she is a symbol of marital bliss. They exchange haldi and kumkum and pray for the well-being and long life of their husbands.
West Bengal
To bring luck and prosperity in their lives, businessmen and traders perform religious functions and poojas to worship Goddess Lakshmi at their homes and offices. They also buy gold with a belief that it will bring good luck for the whole year.
Rituals associated with Akshaya Tritiya
- Devotees of Lord Vishnu observe a fast and engage in charitable activities such as distributing food, clothing and oil
- Tulsi (holy basil), is incorporated into various dishes offered to the deity, which are later distributed as prasad.
- Businessmen perform a special puja called Halkhata to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi before initiating the new financial year, as they are believed to be associated with prosperity.
- As the day symbolises prosperity and abundance, majority of the population purchase gold and silver jewellery for good fortune.
- People take a dip in the sacred waters of Ganga (Ganges), drawing devotees to the ghats of Haridwar and Varanasi.
- In Jainism, some people conclude their year-long penance or tapasya by breaking their fast with sugarcane juice.
- Devotees apply sandalwood paste to the idol of Lord Krishna, believing it grants entry to heaven.
Inherit good deeds on Akshaya Tritiya by doing Anna Daan in the form of mid-day meals (MDM). As an NGO in India that implements the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (formerly called the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Programme), we feed 2.2 million children with hot and nutritious meals in 72 locations across the country.
As we celebrate this Akshaya Tritiya, let us support children coming from challenging socio-economic backgrounds. Imbibe the spirit of generosity by nourishing underprivileged children. Serve MDMs with your online donations.
