Akshaya Tritiya 2023 - Read4Knowledge

Akshaya Tritiya is considered to be an auspicious day by Hindus and Jains in many regions of India and Nepal. It is believed to be the best day for new ventures, marriages, expensive investments such as gold or other property like laying the foundation stone of any type of construction such as new house, and any new beginnings. On this day people also remember the loved ones who have died.

Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya 2023 will be celebrated on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Akshaya Tritiya is also known as Akti or Akha Teej. It’s an ancient festival celebrated by the Hindus and Jains. It is celebrated during the Shukla Paksha ( bright half ) Tritiya Tithi (lunar day) in the month of Vaishakha as per Hindu Panchang.

The day of Akshaya Tritiya in Jainism commemorates Lord Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankara, finishing his one-year austerity by drinking sugarcane juice poured into his cupped hands. People who practise Varshi-tap, a year-long alternative day of fasting, end their Tapasya by sipping sugarcane juice on this day.

“Akshaya” means never diminishing. Hence it is believed that doing any Japa, Yajna, Pitra-Tarpan, Dan-Punya on this day never diminish and remain with the person forever.

Akshaya Tritiya 2023 Date and Time

Akshaya Tritiya 2023 Date and Time
Date	Saturday, April 22, 2023
Puja Muhurat	07:49 AM to 12:20 PM, April 22, 2023
Akshaya Tritiya Tithi Begins	07:49 AM on April 22, 2023
Akshaya Tritiya Tithi Ends	07:47 AM on April 23, 2023

It is considered to be a familiar practice to buy Gold ornaments on this auspicious day. People who can afford to buy Gold, they do it. Those who can not afford buying Gold, Silver ornaments are also very popular for them.

If you plan to buy Gold ornaments on this day, it is suggested that you follow the below timings. Though It is not mandatory, but buying Gold in between this time considered lucky.

Akshaya Tritiya Gold Purchase Date – Saturday, April 22, 2023

Akshaya Tritiya Gold Purchase Timings – 07:49 AM to 12:20 PM .

Importance in Mythology

The festival is related the presentation of the Akshaya Patra to Draupadi by the god Krishna during the visit of numerous sages, 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. Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, prayed to the god Surya, who gave him this bowl, which would remain full till Draupadi served all of their guests.

During Durvasa’s visit, 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.

Akshaya Tritiya is believed by Hindus to be the birthday of Parasurama, the sixth avatar of the god Vishnu. He is revered in Vaishnava temples. Those who observe it in honor of Parasurama sometimes refer to the festival as Parasurama Jayanti.

Some interesting facts about Akshaya Tritiya

1 – The sage Vyasa began reciting the Hindu epic Mahabharata to the god Ganesha on Akshaya Tritiya.

2 – The river Ganges descended to earth on this day.

3 – The Yamunotri Temple and Gangotri Temple are opened on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya during the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage, after closing down during the heavy snowfall-laden winters of the Himalayan regions. The temples are opened on Abhijit Muhurat of Akshaya Tritya.

4 – Another event linked to the day is Sudama‘s visit to his childhood friend, Krishna in Dwarka, when he received unlimited wealth as a boon.

5 – Kubera is believed to have appointed the god of wealth ( custodian of the wealth of heaven ) on this auspicious day by praying to Lord Shiva at Shivapuram. Hence, it is believed that buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya and worshipping Lord Kuber will bring prosperity to the family.

6 – In Jain and Hindu calendars, some days of the month are absent in counting and some days (tithi in lunar calendars) come extra, but Akshay Tritiya is one day which is never “absent” from the lunar calendar.

7 – The legend is that any venture initiated on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya continues to grow and bring prosperity.

8 – It is on this day that Dushasana, Duryodhana’s brother, unveils Draupadi at the royal court where Krishna protects her providing the ‘unending’ veil.

9 – In more recent history, Adi Shankara recited the Kanaka Dhara Stotr on this day for the sake of the poor couple at whose house he stopped for Bhiksha and was offered their only available gooseberry.

Celebrations in States

Odisha celebrate this day with the commencement of the sowing of rice paddy for the ensuing Kharif season. The day starts with ritual worship of mother Earth, the bullocks, other traditional farm equipment and seeds by the farmers for the blessings of a good harvest. After ploughing the fields, the farmers sow paddy seeds as the symbolic start for the most important Kharif crop of the state.

This ritual is called Akhi Muthi Anukula and is celebrated with much fanfare throughout the state. In recent years, the event has received much publicity due to ceremonial Akhi Muthi Anukula programs organized by farmers’ organizations and political parties.

The construction of chariots for the world famous Car Festival ( Ratha Yatra ) festivities of Jagannath Temple also commences on this day at Puri.

In the Telugu-speaking states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the festival is associated with prosperity, and women purchase gold and jewellery.

Simhachalam temple observes special festive rituals on this day. The main deity of the temple is covered in sandalwood paste for the rest of the year, and only on this day are the layers of sandalwood applied to the deity removed to show the underlying statue. Display of the actual form or Nija Roopa Darsanam happens on this day.

Good Signs for Akshaya TritIya

Japa, Yajna

Pitra-Tarpan, Dan-Punya

Starting New ventures

Marriages

Expensive investments

Buying Gold and jewellery

Starting the construction of House

Any new beginning

Depositing money in bank accounts.

Mantras to chant on Akshaya Tritiya

Chant the following mantras to seek the blessings of the Almighty on this auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya.

Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram

Mahalakshmi Gayatri Mantra for wealth and prosperity

” Om Shree Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dheemahi Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat Om॥”

Lord Kubera, the God of wealth

“Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanyasamriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Svaha॥”

Dhanavantri Mantra for good health

“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantraye

Amrita Kalasha Hastaya, Sarva Maya Vinashanaya

Trailoka Nathaya, Shri Mahavishnave Namah”

The day is regionally significant for women, married or unmarried, who pray for the well being of the men in their lives or the one they may in future get engaged to. After prayers, they 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.

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