New Delhi: Devout people across India celebrate Akshay Tritiya today, a festival marked by limitless wealth and generous deeds. Observed on the third lunar day of the waxing phase of the Hindu month of Vaisakha, this year’s festivities combine ancient customs with present-day hopes. Families buy gold, businesses are launched, and donations are given to the needy with the hope of lifelong blessings.
Tales of the Origin of the Festival
Akshay Tritiya is derived from the Sanskrit words Akshaya (never diminishing) and Tritiya (third day) and is a blend of mythology and devotion. Hindus hold that this day marks the birth of Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, and the day when the Ganga river descended on earth. The festival also celebrates the moment when Lord Krishna gave Draupadi the Akshaya Patra, a wonderful vessel that provided unending sustenance during their exile.
For Jains, the day commemorates when Lord Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankara, broke a year-long fast by drinking sugarcane juice. This established the tradition of charity (dana) and fasting.
Observances and Rituals
To devotees, the day began before sunrise. They took ritual baths in the Ganges River or at home to symbolise purification. Temples across the country, including the Jagannath Temple in Puri and Siddhivinayak in Mumbai, were crowded with people who came to worship Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Fruits, flowers, and ghee lamps were offered to the deities while priests recited Vedic hymns aimed at blessing the devotees.
Across the households, families performed pujas with gold coins, rice, and sandalwood paste. Many also observed fasts, breaking them only after sunset that day with meals of seasonal delicacies such as Puran poli and kheer.
Strategically Timed Investments and A Gold Rush
As a mark of safety and wealth, gold has seen a surge in popularity, leading to an increase in footfall at jewellers’ stores. In the words of Ramesh Patel, who operates a jewellery outlet in Zaveri Bazar, “We’ve seen a 30% surge in sales compared to last year. Younger buyers are now considering digital gold and small coins as a sign of fortune.”
Many consider gold buying a suitable day to commence business activities such as purchasing real estate or enrolling in courses. An AI startup founder, Priya Iyer, also mentions that “Akshay Tritiya’s energy aligns with our vision of limitless growth.”
Endeavours Focused on Generosity
People are encouraged to give their provisions freely, including clothing and food. The Akshaya Patra Foundation serves meals to more than 100,000 people in New Delhi. In addition, volunteers in Varanasi gave away fans and umbrellas to the homeless, offering protection against the blazing summer sun.
As a belief that blessings are granted, a homemaker from Chennai goes as far as Radha Menon states, “Giving today ensures the blessings multiply.”
Areas of Concern
West Bengal: Owners would open shops and factories and pray to Lakshmi for favour.
Maharashtra: Married women will willfully give haldi-kumkum(vermilion) and turmeric in exchange for what one may call harmony-giving ceremonies.
Odisha: It is here that craftsmen embarked on the construction of chariots for the Rath Yatra, a ceremony pertinent to the timing of Akshay Tritiya.
Rajasthan—During this time, farmers also worshipped cattle and farming implements, praying for good rainfall.
Contemporary Versions of Age-Old Customs
Celebrations this year were in line with modern ways. Eco-friendly worshippers ordered plantable seed rakhis or contributed to non-governmental organisations focused on forests. Celebrations of virtual pujas became increasingly popular as many temples were closed and live rituals were offered through apps.
An Optimistic Day of Togetherness
A few hours before sunset on Akshay Tritiya 2025, faith in renewal resonates across the nation, and the essence of the festival is felt during the rest of the days, which are spent in good deeds. In different parts of the country, from the most crowded places to the quietest, the day encourages people to reflect on the fact that prosperity is something that, when shared, becomes everlasting.
“May your wealth and kindness never diminish,” remarked priests and elders, blessing a now unified nation filled with hope.
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अक्षय तृतीया पूजा मंत्र (Akshaya Tritiya Puja Mantra)
अक्षय तृतीया पर मां लक्ष्मी और भगवान विष्णु की पूजा के लिए निम्न मंत्रों का जाप करें:
- मूल मंत्र:
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय॥
ॐ नमो नारायणाय नमः॥
(भगवान विष्णु को समर्पित मंत्र) - लक्ष्मी मंत्र:
ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं क्लीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः॥
(धन और समृद्धि के लिए) - संयुक्त मंत्र:
ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं ऐं कमलवासिन्यै स्वाहा॥
(कमल पर विराजमान लक्ष्मी जी के लिए) - विशेष मंत्र:
ॐ लक्ष्मी नारायण नमः॥
ॐ लक्ष्मी नमो नमः॥
(दांपत्य सुख और आर्थिक स्थिरता हेतु) - दान एवं पुण्य प्राप्ति:
ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः॥
(दान के पूर्व जपें)
पूजा विधि सहित मंत्र प्रयोग
- सुबह स्नान के बाद पीले वस्त्र धारण करें।
- चंदन, अक्षत (चावल), और पीले फूल से लक्ष्मी-विष्णु की प्रतिमा/तस्वीर पर मंत्रों के साथ आहुति दें।
- गुड़, चने की दाल, और सत्तू का दान करते समय “ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम्…” मंत्र बोलें।
- दीपक जलाते समय:
ॐ दीपज्योतिः परब्रह्म दीपज्योतिर्जनार्दनः।
दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीपज्योति नमोऽस्तु ते॥
विशेष नोट
- 108 बार मंत्र जाप करने से अक्षय पुण्य की प्राप्ति होती है।
- तुलसी के पौधे पर जल चढ़ाएं और “ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय” का उच्चारण करें।
- गरीबों को भोजन दान करते समय “ॐ सहस्त्रशीर्षा पुरुषः…” (पुरुष सूक्त) पढ़ें।
स्रोत: उपरोक्त मंत्र हिंदू धर्म ग्रंथों एवं पूजा पद्धतियों में प्रचलित हैं। विस्तृत विधि के लिए योग्य पंडित से परामर्श करें।
