An auspicious time
The story behind one of the most sacred days of the year
To understand why Akshaya Tritiya, see which falls this year on May 2, is such an auspicious day, you have to know a little something about Hinduism and the mythology of this great land. This is the day Veda Vyas and Lord Ganesha began to write the Mahabharata, one of the two great epics of ancient India (the other being the Ramayana). It is also the birthday of Lord Parasurama, the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Supreme God. Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, is one of the four most important days of the year for Hindus.
With so much significance, it’s little wonder Hindus believe Akshaya Tritiya is the perfect time to buy jewellery or start a new business or give to charity. Some refer to the holiday as the festival of gold, and it’s safe to say India is the only nation on earth where a day is dedicated to the purchase of gold.
Akshaya is the Sanskrit word for “infinite” or “the never diminishing” and the day is believed to bring good luck and great success. Those giving to charity on this day are believed to be blessed, and many wait for Akshaya Tritiya to start new business ventures. If you start your new business on this day, it is believed it will grow and prosper.
Holy to both Hindus and Jains, Akshaya Tritiya, according to believers, is the day when the Treta Yug (the second of the four yugas, or ages of mankind) began and the sacred Ganges descended from heaven onto Earth. It’s also the day the Goddess Annapoorna Devi was born.
Farmers sow Seeds On Auspicious Akshaya Tritiya
The whole day is considered auspicious, and it is believed that any knowledge gained or charity given on this day will be highly fruitful.
The significance of the day for Goa and the Konkan region is not to be underestimated, and these regions to this day are sometimes referred to as Parushurama Kshetra. Lest we forget, Parasurama, according to Hindu mythology, fought back the advancing seas to save the lands of Konkan, Malabar and Kerala.
The festival falls on the 3rd day of the new moon in the month of Vaishakha on the Hindu calendar. For Hindus, it’s an especially good idea to purchase gold or silver or any other metal on this day because doing so brings wealth and prosperity to the entire household.
“Akshaya Tritiya”, a day to reap gold
It’s no surprise, then, that gold prices tend to go up on Akshaya Tritiya. This year is no exception, even though we’re looking at a scenario where gold prices are on the rise anyway. Since Akshaya Tritiya last year (when the festival fell on May 13), Indian gold prices have gone up by more than 12 percent. Not that any of that is expected to slow the Akshaya Tritiya gold-buying frenzy this year. Just something to keep in mind as you head for the jewellers.
Happy Akshaya Tritiya to all! May you prosper and succeed.
