Akshaya Tritiya Festival
Akshaya Tritiya on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Vaisakha of the traditional Hindu calendar is one of the four most auspicious days of the year for Hindus The word Akshaya means ‘that which never diminishes’ and the day is ideal for beginning new ventures as it is believed that all investments on this day appreciates. In 2008, the date of Akshaya Trithiya is May 7. In some regional calendars, the day is also marked on May 8. In fact, many people associate the day with gold purchase.
The legend or story associated with Akshaya Trithiya is that of Sudama or Kuchela visiting Krishna in Dwarka with a handful of beaten rice poha or aval.
It is also believed that the Pandavas received the Akshaya Pathram from Lord Krishna in the Mahabharata on this day. Parashuram Jayanti also falls on the Trittiya day.
It is believed that Vyasa began the composition of Mahabharata on the day.
According to Hindu astrology, every moment on the Akshaya Tritiya day is auspicious and there is no need to look for a ‘muhurat’ on the day. It is believed that the sun and the moon are most radiant and best placed on the day. Therefore it is one of the most popular dates in Hindu calendar for marriages, for beginning new ventures, for investing and for purchasing valuables like gold and diamond.Lord Vishnu is worshipped on the day. People also conduct Lakshmi puja.
Akshaya is a Sanskrit word, literally means one that never diminishes and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. This day has been taken over by marketeers to promote sales and bookings for Gold jewellery, houses, consumer electronics.The day is also traditionally celebrated as the birth day of the Hindu sage Parashurama, the sixth avatar incarnation of the God Vishnu.