| Akshaya Tritiya | |
|---|---|
 A vintage religious token depicting LordRishabhanatha, acceptingsugarcane juice from King Shreyans. | |
| Official name | अक्षय तृतीया |
| Observed by | Jain,Hindu |
| Type | Jains & Hindus |
| Observances | prayers, distribution of sugarcane juice and festive foods, and charity |
| Date | Vaisakha Shukla Tritiya |
| Frequency | Annual |
Akshaya Tritiya, also known asAkti orAkha Teej, is an annualJain andHindu spring festival.[3] It falls on the thirdtithi (lunar day) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month ofVaisakha.[4][5][6]
Many Jains and Hindus consider the day auspicious for those who buy rice, deposit money in a bank account, buy any kind of new things or vessels - visiting temples, donating foods or special offers for poor people, or helping poor children for their education fees, all are good signs for Akshaya Tritiya.[7]
Akshaya Tritiya is regionally observed as an auspicious day by Hindus and Jains inIndia;[8][9] it signifies the "third day of unending prosperity".[10] Akshaya Tritiya is considered auspicious by Hindus and Jains in many regions of India andNepal for new ventures, marriages, charity, and in investments such as gold or other property.[11] It is also a day of remembrance for the loved ones who have died.[12] The day is regionally significant for women, married or unmarried, who pray for the well-being of the men in their lives or the one they may in future get engaged to. After prayers, they distribute germinating gram (sprouts), fresh fruits, and Indian sweets.[12][13] If Akshaya Tritiya falls on a Monday (Rohini), the festival is believed to be more auspicious.[13] Fasting, charity, and helping others on this day is another festive practice.[14]
In Sanskrit, the wordakṣaya (अक्षय) means "never decreasing" in the sense of "prosperity, hope, joy, success", whiletr̥tīyā (तृतीया) means "third phase of the moon".[15][10] It is so named since it falls on the third lunar day of the spring month ofVaisakha in theHindu calendar, when it is observed.[13] The name refers to the belief that the benefits from performing devotion and piety on this day will not go away.[16]
InJainism, Akshaya Tritiya is an important festival, as it commemorates the firstTirthankara,Rishabhanatha, ending his 400-day-long fast by consuming sugarcane juice poured into his cupped hands.Śvetāmbara Jains perform a similar fast (but consume food on alternate days) that lasts 400 days. This practice is popularly known asVarshitapa.[14][17]Rishabhanatha renounced worldly pleasures and turned into a monk. Thereafter, he fasted for 400 days (as per theŚvetāmbara tradition) or six months (as per the Digambara tradition). He did not accept food from lay followers as every time he was given food, it was not 'free of faults' as it should be for a Jain monk to accept. The 42 faults that food given to a Jain monk may have are discussed at length in the ancientŚvetāmbara textĀcārāṅga Sūtra.[18]
When he was approaching Hastinapur, the capital city of King Shreyansha, the king saw a dream - A completely darkMount Meru was turned brilliant by the sprinkling water from pitchers. King Shreyansha was the great-grandson ofRishabhanatha, the grandson ofBahubali, and the son of Somprabha. King Somprabha saw a dream where a man surrounded by enemies from all sides emerges victorious with Shreyansha's help. In the same town, Subuddhi, a merchant saw a dream where a thousand rays from the Sun were replaced by Shreyansha and as a result of this, the Sun became brighter. They all discussed their dreams in the royal assembly, but no one conclusion could be reached. Just then,Rishabhanatha enteredHastinapur. People tried to donate food and other valuable things, but he accepted none.[19]
Shreyansha performedpradakshina around him. On looking atRishabhanatha's attire as a Jain monk (with a white cloth on his shoulder inŚvetāmbara accounts), Shreyansha soon attainedJati Smaran Gyan (the knowledge of previous births) which also led him to know the rituals of donating food to Jain monks, which he knew in his previous births.[20]
In his previous birth, Shreyansha was the wife ofChakravartin Vajranabha (a previous birth ofRishabhanatha) in EastVideha. King Shreyansha had seen the attire of aTirthankara adopted by King Vajranabha's fatherTirthankara Vajrasena, as he had adopted mendicancy from the latter. He also remembered the procedure to donate food to a Jain monk by keeping in mind that it is free from the 42 faults.[20]
Since Shreyansha knew the rules of donating food to a Jain monk, he curated jars full of sugarcane juice that was already prepared, but not forRishabhanatha as Jain monks must only accept food that is not specially prepared for them. He then toldRishabhanatha to accept the juice as it was suitable and free from faults.Rishabhanatha put his hands together to form a dish and Shreyansha emptied the pitchers of the juice in his hand while he consumed all of it and broke his fast. Not even a single drop of juice fell on the ground asTirthankaras possess thekar-paatra labdhi (the power to use hands as dish without wasting any food put in them). Demi-gods and other creatures celebrated this event.[20]
On this day, Jains who observe the year-long alternate-day fasting known asvarshitap finish theirtapasya and break their fast by drinkingsugarcane juice, particularly at pilgrimage sites such asHastinapur,Palitana Temples,Kesariyaji Tirth,Ranakpur Jain temple,Kulpakji Tirth, and many other pilgrimage sites dedicated toRishabhanatha.[14] Jains dedicate this day to donations and sacrifice.
The festival has related the presentation of theAkshaya Patra toDraupadi byKrishna during the visit of numerous sages, including the sageDurvasa. During their exile in the forest, thePandava princes were famished due to the lack of food. Knowing this,Duryodhana deliberately sent the sages to them as he knew the Pandavas won't be able to extend proper hospitality to them. Unbeknownst to him,Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, had prayed to the godSurya, who gave him the magical bowl, Akshaya Patra, which would remain full till Draupadi eats out of it.
But the visit of the easily angered sage Durvasa happened right after she had finished eating, and only three grains of rice were remained in the bowl. The Pandavas became anxious and asked the sages to bathe in a lake nearby before eating. While they were gone, Draupadi called her friend, Krishna for help. Krishna arrived and ate the grains from the bowl, which transcended into quenching the hunger of all beings in the universe, including the sages. This prevented the wrath of the sage and saved the Pandavas from his curse.[21]
Akshaya Tritiya is believed by Hindus to be the birthday ofParashurama, the sixthavatar of the godVishnu. He is revered inVaishnava temples.[12] Those who observe it in honor of Parashurama sometimes refer to the festival asParashurama Jayanti.[14] Alternatively, some focus their reverence on Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.[13]
According to one legend, the sageVyasa began reciting the Hindu epicMahabharata to the godGanesha on Akshaya Tritiya.
Another legend states that the riverGanges descended to earth on this day.[14] TheYamunotri Temple andGangotri Temple are opened on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya during theChota Char Dham pilgrimage, after closing down during the heavy snowfall-laden winters of theHimalayan regions. The temples are opened onAbhijit Muhurat of Akshaya Tritya.[22]
Another event linked to the day isSudama's visit to his childhood friend, Krishna inDvaraka when he received unlimited wealth as a boon.Kubera is believed to have appointed the god of wealth on this auspicious day.[23]
Akshaya Tritiya is of importance in the Indian state ofMaharashtra. It is one of the Sadetin Muhurtas (Three and a half auspicious and holiest festival days in the Marathi calendar). People in Maharashtra consider these days as the days to start anything new as it is believed that the work started on Akshaya Tritiya brings long lasting success. People start new businesses, buy houses and women buy gold on this day. People celebrate this festival with family, and worship gods and goddesses by offering food such asNaivedhya consisting of the MaharashtrianPuran Poli (Chapati/bread stuffed with jaggery, ghee and lentil mix) andAamras (A thick mango puree).
InOdisha, Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated during the commencement of the sowing ofrice paddy for the ensuingKharif season. The day starts with ritual worship ofmother Earth, thebullocks, and other traditional farm equipment and seeds by the farmers for the blessings of a good harvest. After ploughing the fields, the farmers sow paddy seeds as the symbolic start for the most important Kharif crop of the state. This ritual is calledAkhi Muthi Anukula (Akhi- Akshaya Tritiya; Muthi- fistful of paddy; Anukula- commencement or inauguration) and is celebrated with much fanfare throughout the state. In recent years, the event has received much publicity due to ceremonialAkhi Muthi Anukula programs organized by farmers' organizations and political parties. The construction of chariots for theRatha Yatra festivities of Jagannath Temple also commences on this day atPuri.[13][24][25]
In the Telugu-speaking states ofTelangana andAndhra Pradesh, the festival is associated with prosperity and charity.Simhachalam temple observes special festive rituals on this day. The main deity of the temple is covered insandalwood paste for the rest of the year, and only on this day are the layers of sandalwood applied to the deity removed to show the underlying statue. Display of the actual form orNija Roopa Darsanam happens on this day.[26]
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