Festival in India: Akha Teej (Akshaya Tritiya), the Auspicious Day
Akshaya Tritiya: Auspicious day for Indians
Akshaya Tritiya is a great festival in India and one of the most auspicious days of the year for Hindu and Jain communities. Akshaya Tritiya is also called Akha Teej.
Akshaya, a Sanskrit word, literally means one that never diminishes. Tritiya means the third day of the lunar fortnight. Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej) falls on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Vaisakha. This is according to the traditional Indian calendar.
Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyestha, Ashadha, Shravana, Bhadra, Ashwina, Kartika, Agrahayana or Margasheersha, Pausha, Magha, and Phalguna are the twelve lunar months in Indian calendar named after twelve Nakshatras.
Chitra, Vishakha, Jyestha, Ashadha, Shravani, Bhadra, Aswini, Krittika, Mrigashira, Pushya, Magha, and Phalguni respectively. Vaishakha is the second month in Indian calendar and Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej) comes in this month every year. Akha Teej is celebrated as kite flying festival in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
Ganga, the Ganges river descended on Akshay Tritiya
River Ganges, the holiest and sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven on Akshaya Tritiya as Hindus believe. Bhagirathi, son of Sagar observed austerity and penance to worship Ganga. Pleased with him, Ganga had agreed to descend on the earth. Gaumukh in Gangotri glacier in the Himalaya is the origin of river Ganga.
Many of the ancient cities in India Haridwar, Varanasi, Prayag (Allahabad), Pataliputra (Patna), Champanagar (Bhagalpur) and modern cities like Kanpur and Kolkata (Calcutta) are situated on the banks of the Ganges river.
The Ganges is the lifeline of northern and eastern India. Hindus believe that bathing in the River Ganges is sacred especially on Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej).
Ganga and its origin
Gaumukh (Gangotri Glacier) Image Attribution: Anshul Sawant
Akshay Tritiya - Akha Teej in 2018 and 2019
Akshay Tritiya (Akha Teej), Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya falls on Wednesday, April 18, in the year 2018 in the Gregorian calendar. Indian festivals follow Lunar calendar, hence, the date varies in the solar calendar. So, the date for 2019 will be Tuesday, May 7.
Akha Teej and Indian agriculture
There are four Yugas (era) Satyuga, Tretayuga, Dwaparayuga and Kaliyuga according to Hindu mythology. The Treta Yuga began on this day. Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej) on a Monday or with Rohini Nakshatra is considered to be more auspicious.
Akshaya Tritiya is also observed as Navanna (new grain) Parvam (festival). Indian economy is based on agriculture and this is the time for reaping Ravi crops. The farmers in India bring their crop (Wheat, gram, mustard, etc) home from the fields in these days. Farmers have much cash on their hands and plenty of time to spend these days. This socio-economic reason brings them in the festive mood.
Farmers, the primary producers spend money that goes to the traders and industrialists. Hence, the secondary market boosts. This festival accelerates economic activities in India.
Kubera - Laxmi Poojan on Akha Teej
Lord Kubera, the god of treasures, considered being the richest among the gods. He is one of the Asta Dik pals and also Lord of Yakshas. Kubera himself prays to goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and wife of Lord Vishnu) on this day according to Lakshmi Tantram.
Hindus perform Kubera Lakshmi Puja for Artha and Kama on Akshaya Tritiya. This puja goes day long. The puja starts in the morning and ends in the evening. Goddess Lakshmi Devi along with Sudarsana Kubera Yantra is worshiped in this puja.
Indian religious festivals and socio-economic relations
Indian religious and social festivals are well embedded in socio-economic relations. These festivals well affected the psyche of common Indians. Indians, since time immemorial, know the importance of savings and investments in life.
Gold, silver, diamonds, gemstones and jewelry and real estate are always considered as a good investment and saving tools. Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej).is particularly considered auspicious for buying a gold, silver, diamond and other precious stones, Kundan Meena Jadau Jewelry and real estate.
Indian religious and social festivals are well embedded in socio-economic relations. These festivals well affected the psyche of common Indians. Indians, since time immemorial, know the importance of savings and investments in life.
Religious and socio-economic relations of Akha Teej
Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej). is considered as very auspicious day and Hindus tend to do auspicious things such as start building a house, opening of a business or industry, etc on the day. Maximum numbers of marriages in India are held on this day.
The day is also traditionally celebrated as the birthday of the Hindu sage Parashurama, the sixth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Hindu Puranas (mythological stories) speak about how Parashurama reclaimed land (Kerala province in India) from the sea.
Indians believe Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej).brings good luck and success. It is widely celebrated by different sections of the Hindu society in all parts of India irrespective of their social groupings.
Buying Real Estate, Gold, Silver and Jewelry on Akha Teej
Indians tend to buy gold, silver, diamond and other precious stones such as ruby/sapphires, emerald, and jewelry on this day. Jewelry stores stock in and show new jewelry models for this occasion. Gold and silver coins inscribed with goddess Lakshmi or other gods and goddesses, diamond Jewelry, Kundan Meena Jadau Jewellery are the main attractions.
This day has been taken over by the mass media for marketing. Marketers promote sales and bookings for Gold Jewelry, Kundan Meena Jadau Jewellery, real estates, etc.
Four Purushartha in Indian culture
Indian religions, cultures, and societies act on the basis of four Purushartha (entrepreneurship/action) Dharma (duty/spirituality), Artha (wealth), Kama (sex and other earthly pleasure) and Moksha (liberation/salvation from earthly bondage).
It is believed that any or all of these four Purushartha started on Akshaya Tritiya become non-diminishing. Worshiping God, observing vows and fasts, offering prayer (puja), etc are considered as religious and spiritual duties (Dharma). Creating assets are considered as Artha Purushartha. Here Artha does not only mean money and wealth but also includes honor, happiness, etc.
Hindus perform Kubera Lakshmi Puja for Artha and Kama on Akshaya Tritiya. This puja goes day long. The puja starts in the morning and ends in the evening. Goddess Lakshmi Devi along with Sudarsana Kubera Yantra is worshiped in this puja.
Marriage: Sacred way to Kama Purushartha
Marriage is one of the main themes of Kama (earthly pleasure, sexual activities) Purushartha. Hence, Akshaya Tritiya is considered to be the best day for Indian marriages. Millions of marriages in India occur in this day.
Those achieved higher levels of spirituality and want to be free from all earthly bondage use this day for Moksha Purushartha. Moksha (Liberation)is considered as an ultimate goal for all beings because this is living in eternal peace forever.
Akshaya Tritiya in Jainism
Jainism is one of the oldest religions in India. Rshabhadeva alias Adinath is the first Tirthankara of the Jains. There is a story related to Tirthankara Rshabhdeva about Akshaya Tritiya.
Tirthankara Rishabhdeva was king of Ayodhya. He being enlightened left all earthly pleasures and chosen to ascetic life become a Jain monk. Jain ascetics do not possess anything with them not even food. They do not even cook food for themselves. While hungry or thirsty, they go to people and ask for food or drinking water.
Tirthankara Rishabhdeva being Jain ascetic also went to people and asked food. However, the people of that time did not know anything about the acts of monks, as he was the first monk in this era. People of Ayodhya offered gold, jewelry, gemstones, elephants, horses, expensive garments and even their daughters to honor their beloved king. Rshabhdeva was not in quest of all these. He wanted food only that nobody offered him. Nobody at that time could guess that their king was asking for food.
As there was no choice, he had to fast for a long time until his grandson Shreyansha Kumar understood his need. Shreyansa Kumara, finally, offered him sugar cane juice and Rishabhdeva broke his fast with that juice. The incident happened on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. This is considered by the Jain community as one of the best offerings.
It is believed that bestowing upon religious gifts on Akshaya Tritiya becomes inexhaustible. Jain, even today, observe long term fast to commemorate their first Tirthankara Rishabhadeva, Adinath and broke their fast on Akshaya Tritiya with sugar cane juice. A Huge crowd of Jain assembles in Hastinapura and Palitana to celebrate the auspicious day.
Palitana (Shatrunjay), Jain Akha Teej
There are many Jain temples above the hills of Palitana (Siddhachala or Siddhagiri) including the main temple of Adinath or Rshabhadeva. People say this main idol Dada.
The river Shatrunjaya flowing throw Palitana is also auspicious. Palitana has various names and Shatrunjaya is one of those. Shatru means enemy and Jaya means triumph or victory in the Sanskrit language. Hence, Shatrunjaya means getting victory over the enemies.
Jainism believes in conquering internal enemies such as ignorance, lust, ego, anger, etc as a path to salvation and Shatrunjaya is a symbol for the same. People take a bath in the Shtrunjaya river and offer Pooja to Tirthankara Shree Rshabhadeva and other Tirthankaras in Palitana.