Gold, grace and blessings! Akshaya Tritiya a celebration of new beginnings

Gold, grace and blessings! Akshaya Tritiya a celebration of new beginnings

Apr 29, 2025Cycle Care

For many Hindus, one of the most beloved and early awaited festivals has to be the Akshaya Tritiya. The joy in the air, the chants of pooja and the lovely fragrance of flowers and incense engulfs our homes. Everyone is dressed in traditional attire and the festive spirit ties everything together beautifully. It is a day that is marked by tradition, faith and a promise of new beginnings.  It is believed that every positive action, no matter how small, brings prosperity. 

Each year, Akshaya Tritiya arrives like a golden reminder of abundance, grace, and blessings. It is also called the Akha Teej and is regarded as an auspicious occasion according to both the Hindu and the Jain calendar. The celebrations are rooted in the idea of welcoming prosperity into our homes. It is considered as a great time for buying gold, investments, starting businesses, and even considered auspicious for marriages.

Akshaya Tritiya falls in the month of Vaisakha, during the Shukla Paksha. In Sanskrit the word akshaya translates to ‘eternal’, making this day synonymous with lasting wealth, happiness and success. On this day devotees worship Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha seeking their blessings for prosperity and wisdom.

According to Hindu mythology, Akshaya Tritiya is believed to be the day when many significant and divine events took place. It is said on this day, Lord Krishna showered his dear friend Sudama with wealth and blessings. He transformed his life with his grace and abundance. In the Mahabharata, Akshaya Patra was blessed by the Sun God and given to the Pandavas. This divine vessel provided an endless food supply. It is also believed that the Ganga descended to the Earth on this sacred day. She blessed the earth with purity and spiritual power.

In Jainism, it marks the day the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, ended his year-long fast with sugarcane juice. This day is a celebration of his spiritual awakening. Jains celebrate this day by observing fasting and prayer. It is considered as a time to reflect on values such as compassion and non-attachment. The day is dedicated to performing charity and selfless devotion.

Akshaya Tritiya day begins before the sun rises. Families wake up early, bathe, wear fresh, new clothes and begin their day with devotion. Homes are cleaned, and are decorated with flowers and colorful rangolis. Traditional offerings such as fruits, sweets, and tulsi leaves are arranged carefully before the deities, especially Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Ghee lamps are lit and devotees seek blessings from the gods for prosperity and abundance. People also feed cows, and alms are given to the needy, with prayers that such selfless acts will earn good karma.

This festival is celebrated across India in unique ways. In Odisha, the day marks the beginning of the construction of the chariot for the Jagannath Rath Yatra. In Uttar Pradesh, the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindhavan sees a large gathering of devotees to witness the rare unveiling of the deity's feet. In Maharashtra, women exchange haldi and kumkum and pray to goddess Gauri, seeking blessings for their husbands.

One of the most cherished traditions observed across India on Akshaya Tritiya, is the purchase of gold. This custom comes from the belief that anything bought or started on this day will multiply and bring prosperity. Gold is considered a symbol of divine blessings, buying it on this day is considered auspicious. For a lot of Indians, it is not about financial investment but rather a spiritual one; it’s a way of honouring goddess Lakshmi and marking the day with a gesture of hope and fortune.

Akshaya Tritiya is a celebration of faith, hope and blessings. It is rooted in mythology and tradition, as it encourages people to embrace positivity and embark on new journeys. Whether it is purchasing gold, performing rituals, or spiritual growth, the essence of the festival lies in the good intentions that later bring rewards. As our families come together in prayer, may this day bring you grace and prosperity.

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