Akshaya Tritiya 2024: Why Do People Celebrate This Festival? Know Religious And Cultural Importance

According to mythology, on the Tritiya date of the Shukla Paksha of the Vaishakh month, that is, Akshaya Tritiya, Lord Vishnu took the following avatars: Nar-Narayan, Hayagriva, and Parashurama.

Akshaya Tritiya 2024: Know Religious And Cultural Importance

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Akshaya Tritiya: This is a significant day for Hindus that occurs during the bright half of the lunar month of Vaishakha. According to mythology, on the Tritiya date of the Shukla Paksha of the Vaishakh month, that is, Akshaya Tritiya, Lord Vishnu took the following avatars: Nar-Narayan, Hayagriva, and Parashurama. Therefore, on this day, Parashurama Jayanti and Nar-Narayan Jayanti are also celebrated. This year, Akshaya Tritiya will be celebrated on May 10. 

Why is Akshaya Tritiya considered auspicious:

Akshaya Tritiya is considered the day of Goddess Lakshmi, hence auspicious. On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, there is never a shortage of fortune and the activities performed on this day yield everlasting results. It is believed that on this day, if a person performs virtuous deeds and charity, their results are doubled.

Additionally, it is believed that any new or auspicious work started on this day is considered very fortunate. Chanting, meditation, and charity performed on this day yield the best results.

Importance Of Akshaya Tritiya As Per Mythology:

According to mythology, Yudhishthira expressed his desire to know the importance of Akshaya Tritiya to Lord Sri Krishna.

Krishna explained that, any person who performs activities like bathing, chanting, meditation, sacrifices, self-study, ancestor worship, and charity on this day receives endless virtues.

Another story behind Akshaya Tritiya goes like this: In ancient times, there lived a poor merchant who had great faith in the deities, but was extremely poor. One day someone advised him to observe the fast of Akshaya Tritiya. Hence, on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, he took a bath in the River Ganga, performed the worship of gods and goddesses as per rituals, and gave charity.

It is believed that this very merchant became the king of Kushavati in his next life, as with the worship and charity done on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, he became very wealthy and powerful.

Akshaya Tritiya Observances:

As per Drik Panchang, the day long observances on Akshaya Tritiya are as follows:

• day long fasting dedicated to Lord Vishnu
• worshipping Lakshminarayana form of Lord Vishnu
• purchasing gold in form of jewelry and coins
• conducing marriages and house warming ceremony
• buying new vehicle
• taking bath in Ganges and other sacred places
• performing Tarpan for deceased ancestors
• offering charity to Brahmins or those in need
• conducting Hawan