Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, is a highly revered Hindu and Jain festival that falls on the third lunar day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Baisakha month. The word ‘Akshaya‘ in Sanskrit means “never diminishing,” and it is believed that any venture started or valuables bought on this day will continue to grow and bring prosperity.
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The mythology associated with Akshaya Tritiya is rich and varied, with several legends highlighting its significance:
>In the Mahabharata, during the Pandavas’ exile, Lord Krishna blessed them with the Akshaya Patra, a magical vessel that ensured an endless supply of food.
>Akshaya Tritiya is believed to be the birth anniversary of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
>The festival commemorates the day when the sacred Ganges River descended to earth from the heavens, a result of King Bhagiratha’s penance and Lord Shiva’s grace.
>A tale of devotion is tied to this day where Sudama, a childhood friend of Lord Krishna, offers poha (flattened rice) to the deity and is blessed with prosperity, emphasizing the value of friendship and devotion.
>For Jains, Akshaya Tritiya commemorates the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, ending his yearlong fast by consuming sugarcane juice poured into his cupped hands.