Akshaya Tritiya is a diverse festival that is celebrated by both Hindus and Jains with equal enthusiasm. Yet the significance and the history behind this festival are distinct when it comes to both the community. You might be wondering how to celebrate Akshaya Tritiya if this festival has two distinct colors. This article tells you the significance and how it is celebrated. While the Jains observe this auspicious day to honor the breaking of a year-long fast by their 1st Tirthankara - Lord Rishabhadeva, the Hindus have multiple theories suggesting the origin of this festival. One of the myths states that on this day, Lord Ganesha began penning down the great Indian epic - Mahabharata while Ved Vyas narrated it to him. A second story narrates the birth of Lord Parashurama - Lord Krishna’s 6th incarnation on this day and another says Lord Krishna had gifted the Akshaya Patra (an endless bowl of food) to the Pandavas while they were heading for their exile. With so many reasons being accounted for the day being auspicious, the celebration of this festival has become diverse.
The essence of the day is to worship and ask for blessings from the gods. So, people start their day by worshipping three gods - Vishnu, Ganesha, and Kuber and the goddess Lakshmi for welcoming eternal prosperity. The rituals followed on this festival include chanting specific mantras for each of the gods and goddesses. Various different food items like sesame seeds, milk sweets, chana dal, and rice dishes are also offered to the gods as Bhog. Later these foods are distributed among people as prasad.
The worship does not end with the Gods, people in many regions worship animals as well. The animals that help humans and have religious significance are worshipped like cows, horses, and elephants. Cows are worshipped as these bovine creatures as they are considered a symbol of love and warmth. Gaja or the elephant is also worshipped on Akshay Tritiya. This animal is believed to be a representative of Lord Ganesha and praying to it appeases the Lord who blesses them with wealth and prosperity. Horses too are a part of this custom. The horse being a disciple of Mars is worshipped to bring positivity and good health into one’s life.
People believe this day to be auspicious so they start new projects so that these projects are fruitful. People start new projects, invest in new assets, start a new businesses, as well as plowing the field for the first harvest too. In Eastern India, many businessmen start using a new audit book on this day which shall be used in the following financial year. This is known as ‘Halkhata’. Most people look for a ‘Muhurat’ auspicious hour to commence something significant but as the day of Akshaya Tritiya is auspicious most people choose this day.
Many socio-cultural occasions also take like marriages, engagements, house warmings, and beginning pilgrimages. The prosperity and good luck that is associated with this day make it a perfect time to hold such festivals. It is believed that such endeavors that are undertaken on this day become fruitful and also bring prosperity. People also indulge in charitable activities as the blessings obtained on this day are believed to be eternal.
In Jainism, this day is celebrated to commemorate Lord Adinantha the first God of the Jains. Jains often perform the year-long fasting called Varshi Tapa this is more like a tapasya a meditation that finally comes to an on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. On Akshay Tritiya, this ritual is completed and fulfilled by the individuals by consuming sugarcane juice. The Jains honor the people who perform the Varshi Tapa by felicitating them after having offered them food as per the Ahara Charya. The significance of this day is equally significant for the Jains just as the Hindus.
This auspicious day is a very important cultural day for the people of India. With the diversity of the Indian peninsula, we observe the Akshaya Tritiya in distinct colors but the essence of the festival remains the same. The enthusiasm with which the festival is celebrated increases every year. Hence, these are the rituals through which the festival of Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated. Now you know how to celebrate Akshaya Tritiya. So, don’t forget to send your warm wishes and Akshaya Tritiya Gifts to your near and dear ones.
