Date
– May 13, 2013 (Monday)
Introduction
The
word Akshaya (अक्षय)
means never diminishing. Akshaya Tritiya is believed to bring good luck and
success. Most people purchase Gold on this day as it is believed that buying
Gold on Akshaya Tritiya brings prosperity and more wealth in coming future.
Being Akshaya day it is believed that Gold, bought on this day, will never diminish
and would continue to grow or appreciate.
Akshaya
Tritiya day is ruled by Lord Vishnu who is the preserver God
in the Hindu Trinity. According to Hindu mythology Treta Yuga began on Akshaya
Tritiya day. The birthday of Lord Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu
falls on this day (although Parashurama Jayanti is celebrated on 12th
May 2013 this year) In the Puranas, the holy Hindu scriptures, there is a story
that says that on this day of Akshay Tritiya “Vedavyas” along with Lord Ganesha
started writing the great epic Mahabharata. Ganga Devi or Mother Ganges also
descended to earth on this day.
There
are two more legends associated with this day in Mahabharata. Lord Krishna had
given a bowl to Draupadi, known as Akshaya Patram, when the Pandavas were in
exile. This bowl was believed to have given endless food to the Pandavas. This
is the reason Goddess Laxmi is worshipped on this day and gold, silver or
platinum ornaments are bought and worn in her honor to bring unending wealth to
the household. This is also believed to be the day when Panadavas discovered
weapons under the earth which made them victorious against the Kauravas.
The
gate of Lord Badrinarayana’s temple opens up on this day for the devotees.
Akshaya
Tritiya marks the beginning of the Treta Yug. Thus, it is also known as Yug
Tithi. Chandan Yatra also starts on Akshaya Tritiya. This is the day when
Chandan or Sandalwood Paste is applied on the body of Lord Jagannatha and then
the Murti or the Idol is taken for a procession. According to the legends this
is carried out because Lord Jagannatha gave such instructions to King
Indrayumma. It is believed that a person who does charity and sacred deeds such
as homas, fasting, donation etc on this day, get undiminishing results.
Importance of Akshaya
Triya Puja
Akshaya Tritya is a very important day in the year as it is dedicated to Lord
Vishnu and goddess Laxmi. It is a very prominent belief among Hindus that that
Lord Vishnu fulfils the desires of all his devotees and, Goddess Laxmi bestows
her devotees with the wealth and prosperity. Thus Akshaya Tritiya is considered
to be very auspicious bringing victory and good fortune. This is the chief
reason why most people prefer to purchase valuable items like gold on this day.
It has been a prominent belief that the wealth bought on this day never
diminishes.
How to do Akshaya
Tritya Puja
The puja for Akshaya Tritya is started by cleaning the house and body properly.
Prayers are being offered to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi using Tulsi leaves,
flowers and with the nine times jaap of mantra: “Om Namo Vishnudevaya Namah” ”Om shree shree laxmi deviye Namah”. After
this the prayer of Goddess Laxmi is being read. As Prasad, fruits or sweets are
being offered to god and then shared with relatives and friends. After the
prayer “Annadhanam” which is offering food to the poor is being done as it is
being considered to be the purest thing being done. Donations are also
considered to be the best thing for this day.
Timing for Puja
Akshaya
Tritiya starts on May 12th at 10:20 am and goes until May 13th afternoon 12:47
pm. As the Tritiya prevails on the sunrise of 13th May, Akshaya Tritiya will be
celebrated on that Day.
On
May 13th, the 3 benefics, Jupiter, Mercury and Venus are together in the sign
Taurus ruled by Venus. The combination of Mercury and Venus will make one seek
materialistically and incline towards all pleasures. They are joining planet
Jupiter and by praying to Lord Vishnu along with his consort Lakshmi on Akshaya
Trithiya will bless you with wealth and abundance. Chanting Lakshmi Narayana
mantra will also help to increase the inflow of wealth.
This
day is so auspicious that any moment of the day can be considered to be
beneficial for starting something new like a new business etc. According to
Vedic Scholars, wedding can be conducted on any time of this day without
in-depth study for a “shubha muhurat”. The Hindus all over the world keep this
day in mind while undertaking new business ventures or planning for weddings or
traveling to distant lands. The benefits of doing any Jap, Yagya, Pitra-Tarpan,
Dan-Punya on this day never diminish and remain with the person forever.
I
would advise you to worship Lord Vishnu and Maa Lakshmi on this day along with
Lord Kuber and give donation of money or food to poor people.
"Happy
Akshay Tritiya"
"Jai Shree Krishna"
"Hari
Om Tat Sat"
Acharya
Vikas Malhotra
Astrologer,
Numerologist and Spiritual Healer
{MBA, LLB, FCS, M.A.(Public Admn),
FIII, JYOTISH VISHARAD}