Akshaya Tritiya

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Akshaya Tritiya
Observed by Jain, Hindu
Type Jain, Hindu
Celebrations 1 day
Observance prayers, distribution of
s sugarcane juice and festive
foods
Begins Vaisakha
Date late April-early May
2017 date 28 April[1] [2]
2018 date Wed 18 April
Frequency annual
Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akti or Akha Teej, is annual spring
time festival of the Hindus and Jains. It falls on the third Tithi (lunar day)
of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of Vaisakha month. It is observed
regionally by Hindus and Jains in India and Nepal,[3][4] as signifying the
"third day of unending prosperity".[5] The festival date varies and is set
according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar, and falls in April or May of
every year in the Gregorian calendar.[6] Akshayya Tritiya is
tremendously fortunate and sacred popular festival which carries good
luck and triumph in terms of new schemes, weddings, big investments
such as buying property or gold and any new beginning. It is one full
auspicious muhurat out of three and a half most auspicious days of the
year according to Hindu calender.

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Description[edit]
In Sanskrit, the word "Akshayya" (अक्षय्य) means "imperishable, eternal,
the never diminishing" in the sense of "prosperity, hope, joy, success",
while Tritiya means "third".[7][5] It is named after the "third lunar day" of
the spring month of Vaisakha in the Hindu calendar, the day it is
observed.[6]

Akshayya Tritiya is believed in Hinduism to be the birthday

of Parasurama who is the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, and he is revered
in Vaishnavatemples.[8] Those who observe it in the honor of
Parasurama sometimes refer to the festival as Parasurama Jayanti.
[9]
 Alternatively, some focus their reverence to Vasudeva avatar of
Vishnu.[6] According to one legend, Ved Vyasa began reciting the Hindu
epic Mahabharata to Ganesha on Akshayya Tritiya. Another legend
states that river Ganges descended to earth on this day.[9]

In Jainism, it commemorates the first Tirthankara's (Rishabhanatha)

ending his one-year asceticism by consuming sugarcane juice poured
into his cupped hands.[5] Some Jains refer to the festival as Varshi Tapa.
[9]
 Fasting and ascetic austerities are marked by Jains, particularly at
pilgrimage sites such as Palitana (Gujarat).[9]

The day is considered auspicious by Hindus and Jains in many regions

of India for new ventures, marriages, and any new beginnings. It is also
a day of remembrance for the loved ones who have died.[8] 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.[8][6] If the Akshayya Tritiya falls on a
Monday (Rohini), the festival is believed to be even more auspicious.
[6]
 Fasting, charity and helping others on this day is another festive
practice.[9]

King Shreyans offering sugarcane juice to Rishabhanatha

In Odisha, it is the day when Hindus begin their annual construction of
chariots for the Puri Rath Yatrafestivities.[6]

On this day people who observe the year-long alternative day fasting
known as Varshi-tap finish their Tapasya by doing parana by
drinking sugarcane juice.[10][11][12]
See also[edit]
• Panchangam
• Panjika
• Vaisakhi
References[edit]
1. Jump up
^ http://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/akshaya-tritiya/akshaya-tritiya-
date-time.html
2. Jump up
^ http://www.mypanchang.com/calformat.php?cityname=Ahemadabad-
Gujarat&yr=2017&mn=4&monthtype=0
3. Jump up
^ Gupte 1994, p. 5
4. Jump up
^ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam, ed. India through the ages.
Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,
Government of India. p. 65.
5. ^ Jump up to:
a b c P. M. Joseph (1997). Jainism in South India. International School of
Dravidian Linguistics. pp. 135–136. ISBN 978-81-85692-23-4.
6. ^ Jump up to:
a b c d e f K V Singh (2015). Hindu Rites and Rituals: Origins and
Meanings. Penguin. pp. 39–40. ISBN 978-93-85890-04-8.
7. Jump up
^ A.A. Macdonell, Akshaya, A Practical Sanskrit Dictionary
8. ^ Jump up to:
a b c B. A. Gupte (1994). Hindu Holidays and Ceremonials: With
Dissertations on Origin, Folklore and Symbols. Asian Educational
Services. pp. 5–6. ISBN 978-81-206-0953-2.
9. ^ Jump up to:
a b c d e J. Gordon Melton (2011). Religious Celebrations: An
Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual
Commemorations. ABC-CLIO. pp. 18–20. ISBN 978-1-59884-206-7.
10. Jump up
^ "Hindus and Jains celebrate Akshayya Tritiya for their own reasons".
Merinews. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
11. Jump up
^ "It's Akshayya Tritiya today". DNAIndia. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
12. Jump up
^ "Akshaya Tritiya Significance". TourismOnlineIn. Retrieved April
21,2016.