Bhubaneswar: Today is Akshaya Tritiya. This festival is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, who is associated with bringing wealth and prosperity to the lives of people.
The word Akshaya Tritiya is a combination of two Sanskrit words Akshaya and Tritiya. Akshaya means eternal or never-ending and Tritiya means third — to signify the third day of the month of Vaisakha.
Going by the Hindu tradition, items bought on this day will give the buyer endless prosperity. Hence, many individuals buy gold on this day to attain endless wealth and prosperity. In many cultures, it is also known as Akha Teej.
Legends
According to legends when poor Sudama visited Lord Krishna, who was rich and well-endowed, the latter offered the former a bag of rice as some ‘bheth’ or offering. Shri Krishna, being the Lord of the Universe, knew Sudama’s condition and was surprised by his generosity. A man who did not have enough to eat for himself and his family had brought an offering for his old friend.
Seeing this, Lord Krishna was filled with joy and respect for his dear friend. It is said that then on every morsel of rice that Krishna ate with Sudama, Sudama and his family gained something in return. Sudama was then bestowed with wealth, prosperity, money and riches. That day has been celebrated in the form of Akshaya Tritiya which is all about prosperity, happiness, compassion, and abundance.
Besides, it is believed that when Pandavas went on an exile it was Lord Krishna who gave them a divine pot (Akshaya Patra). Going by the lore, Pandavas received the divine Akshaya Patra, which was like a never-ending vessel of food, through which the Lord Krishna made sure that the five brothers and their wife Draupadi never face food scarcity when in the jungles or deserts.
Significance of the festival in Odisha
On this auspicious occasion, farmers perform ‘Akhi Muthi Anukula’, the ceremonial act of sowing seeds in paddy fields after ploughing. Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of the month of Vaisakh and marks the commencement of agricultural work.
As per rituals, farmers wearing new clothes carry a decorated basket of seeds to their fields and offer them to Goddess Lakshmi praying for a rich harvest season.
The festival also marks the beginning of the ‘Chandan Jatra’ of deities at several shrines in Odisha. Chandan Jatra starts on this day and continues for 21 days, and concludes on the Baishakha Purnima day or the Chandan Purnima day. The construction of chariots for the Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings in Puri also starts on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. It is also observed as State-Level Farmers’ Day in the state.
Why gold is bought on this day
Gold is not just a metal. It is a symbol of wealth and abundance. Buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya is believed to invite prosperity and ensure the continuous flow of wealth into one’s life.
Since ancient times, gold has been associated with prosperity and auspiciousness. That is why many Indians prefer to buy gold in the form of jewellery, coins, bars, or bullion on auspicious days like this, to ensure that they will have long-lasting wealth.
