What is Akshaya Tritiya?
The main legend is from Mahabharata.
When Pandavas were in exile, Lord Krishna gave Draupadi a bowl called the Akshaya Pathram.
The word Akshaya means that which never diminishes and this bowl is said to have given infinite food to the Pandavas.
This is why this day is considered to be a good time to bring home Goddess Lakshmi, in any form, gold, silver or platinum. Valuables that are acquired on this day are said to be replenished endlessly.
There is also another legend associated with the day, also known as Akha Teej, in North India.
This is celebrated as the birthday of Parshurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu marking the beginning of Golden Age. Parshuram is the son of Jamadagni and Renuka.
One day, when Jamadagni got angry with his wife Renuka, he commanded Parshuram to kill her.
Obeying his father's command, he killed his mother. In return, when Jamadagni offered his son a boon, he got his mother back to life.
Associated with the Mahabarata, is another story behind the origin of the day.
It was on this day that the Pandavas unearthed weapons that clinched them their victory over the Kauravas.
It is also believed that Goddess Vijaya Chamundeshwari killed an Asura on this day.
It was also on this day that Ved Vyasa, along with Lord Ganesha, is believed to have started writing the Mahabharata.
And according to the puranas, this day marks the beginning of the Treta Yuga, which is the second out of four yugas, or ages of man, in Hindu religion, following the Satya Yuga of perfect morality and preceding the Dvapara Yuga.
The most famous events in this yuga were Lord Vishnu's fifth, sixth and seventh incarnations as Vamana, Parasurama and Ramachandra respectively.
According to the Dharamashastras, this day is considered sacred for Vishnu Puja and for donating items, such as umbrellas, fans or sandals to the Brahmins.
Some vedic scholars even say that on this day, weddings can be conducted without deep consultations of the almanacs.
What to do on Akshaya Tritiya?
Akshaya Tritiya along with Dhanteras is the biggest gold buying festival in India.
Buying gold on Tritiya is considered to bring luck and success.
The day is considered to be perfect for recitations, penance, making donations, ritual bathing, sacrifices and for offering burnt oblations to fire.
When is Akshaya Tritiya celebrated?
Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third Tithi (Lunar day) of the bright half of the pan-Indian month of Vaishakha.
The worship of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi and the purchase of gold are considered important on this day.
Akshaya Tritiya and Gold Rates
Gold demand in India, the world's biggest market for gold, picked up slightly at the start of the second week of April after a three-week-long jewellers' strike ended, but dealers said demand was surprisingly sluggish.
'For gold to turn a corner and build momentum, physical buying really needs to kick in,' said UBS in a note on Tuesday. 'The end of the jewellers strike in India provides a good foundation, especially with the Akshaya Tritiya festival on April 24. But prices need to be appropriate.'
Akshaya Tritiya in 2012
In 2012, Akshaya Tritiya falls on April 24.
In 2011, it had fallen on May 6.
Best Regards
Prakash Nair
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