Bhubaneswar: The Akshaya Tritiya festival holds great significance in Odisha. The festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of wealth and prosperity. Falling on the third day of the month of Baisakha, this auspicious occasion is believed to bring endless blessings to those who observe it with devotion.
The term ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ is derived from two Sanskrit words: ‘Akshaya’, meaning eternal or never-ending, and ‘Tritiya’, meaning third. This day is considered highly propitious for buying valuable items, particularly gold, which is believed to bring eternal prosperity and good fortune. Many people flock to jewellery stores and markets to invest in gold, hoping to attract Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings and abundance into their lives.
Beyond its association with material wealth, Akshaya Tritiya is a celebration of the divine feminine energy and the power of prosperity in all its forms.
Whether known as Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej in different cultures, this festival remains a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the human quest for prosperity, happiness, and fulfillment.
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, 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.
The Lord, moved by Sudama’s sincerity and generosity, was filled with joy and admiration 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.
In another epic tale of the Pandavas, Lord Krishna’s benevolence shines brightly during their tumultuous exile. According to legend, Krishna gifted the Pandavas the mystical Akshaya Patra, a divine vessel that ensured an endless supply of food.
The Lord Krishna gifted that vessel to make sure that the five brothers and their wife Draupadi never face food scarcity when in the jungles or deserts.
As the Pandavas navigated the harsh wilderness with their wife Draupadi, the Akshaya Patra proved to be a lifeline, providing sustenance and nourishment whenever needed. This divine intervention not only alleviated their physical hunger but also lifted their spirits, reminding them of Krishna’s omnipresent guidance and support.
Significance
In Odisha, Akshaya Tritiya marks the beginning of the agricultural season, where farmers perform ‘Akhi Muthi Anukula’, a ceremonial sowing of seeds in paddy fields.
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.
This auspicious day also marks the beginning of the 21-day ‘Chandan Jatra’ festival and the construction of chariots for Lord Jagannath’s Ratha Yatra in Puri.
Chandan Jatra starts on this day 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.
Observed as State-Level Farmers’ Day, Akshaya Tritiya honours the state’s farming traditions and the people who cultivate the land.
The Akshaya Patra’s significance extends beyond its literal meaning, symbolising the infinite abundance and provision that arises from faith and devotion. As a cultural icon, it continues to inspire hope and resilience, reminding us of the transformative power of divine grace in times of adversity.
