As per Hindu Vedic astrologyThe study of the influence of celestial bodies on earth and humans, Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej is considered a very auspicious day in India and Nepal as this Tithi is ruled by Lord Vishnu, many important events took place on this Tithi (day) according to Hindu mythology, it is also observed as Varshitap Parana by Jain. This auspicious Tithi/ Festival falls on the third day, Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of Vaishakha Maas (month) on Wednesday, 18 April 2018, this year. It is considered most auspicious, if falls on Rohini Nakshatra day.
Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most significant Tithi, believed to be an extremely auspicious yoga period (Shubh Muhurat) of the three and a half or Sade Teen Muhurat to start or buy something new. With the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu and God Kuber, one will achieve health, wealth, well being and all the important aspectsAngular distances between planets, based on zodiacal longitudes, calculated in specific degrees, viz trine, square, represent relationship between two planets Planets generally influence 3rd, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th house due to their aspect of success, all round prosperity and unending achievements. It is considered very auspicious for buying gold or jewellry, a house or new property, starting new ventures, performing Mundan, engagement, marriage ceremony and making big investments.
Akshaya Tritiya date, Shubh muhurat, (timings) for 2018:
Timings for Akshaya Tritiya Muhurat i.e. Puja and performing of all events start on April 18, 2018 at 3:45 am and ends on 19th April 2018 at 1:29 am.
What are the Three and a half or Sade Teen Shubha Muhurat ?
These are as follows:
i) Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, 1st Tithi of Navratri in Chaitra Maas
ii) Dushahara or Vijaya Dashmi in Ashwin Maas
iii) Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej in Vaishakha Maas.
Akshaya Tritiya never diminishes (Tithi Kshaya) in Hindu lunar calendar and it comes only once in a year. Sun and Moon are in their exalted zodiacHeaven divided into 12 signs, of 30° each signs, at their most powerful position and brightest point on Akshaya Tritiya.
This Tithi is strongly believed to bring unending success and good fortune to the people if they start planning a new venture or an auspicious event. This day is considered significant by both Hindus and Jains. The meaning of the word Akshaya means ‘never diminishing’ or ‘destroying’, so anything attained on this day is believed to bring unending success and happiness.
Akshaya Tritiya is considered an auspicious day to buy a new house, a new car, other luxury items or gold. A large number of people buy gold ornaments or coins on this particular day.
This day is considered auspicious for planning to start new ventures, making commitments, starting new relationships and also for performing marriage ceremony. It is also believed by some people that this day is the birthday of Lord Parashurama the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
How to worship, perform Puja and Daan?
This auspicious Tithi is ruled by Lord Vishnu. Both Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi are worshiped along with God Kuber by Hindus on this Tithi, as Kuber was blessed with the custody of status, position, prosperity, wealth and treasure in the heaven by Lord Krishna (incarnation of Vishnu) on this day. To perform Puja, most of the people observe fast and perform Daan (donation). Devotees visit temple in the morning and evening, worship Lord Vishnu first, then Shree Lakshmi with the method we perform Puja during Lakshmi Puja,offer flowers to God Vishnu and Kuber, specially offer red flowers to Goddess Lakshmi,then offer Akshat (unbroken rice) fruits and prashad, chant Vishnu Sahashtranama to please Lord Vishnu and recite Mahalakshmi strotam to appease Goddess Lakshmi.
Ganesha and Ved Vyasa started to write Mahabharata, Lord Krishna presented Akshaya Patra, the unending bowl of food material to Pandava during their exile, Lord Krishna conferred the unending prosperity and empire to his poor friend Sudama and transformed his old hut into royal palace with all amenities, on this day. I hope readers must have liked all above interesting legends based on Puranic Katha and try to attain best possible positive results through their Punya-karma.
List of charitable things to be donated on this day to please Pitra or our forefathers
i) Jal (water) in copper or silver vessel
ii) Bed or bedding
iii) Vastra (clothes)
iv) Til (sesame seeds)
v) Chandan (sandal wood)
vi) Kumkum
vii) Nariyal (coconut)
viii) Whey (chhachh)
ix) Pan(betel)
x) Slippers or shoes
Do’s and don’ts
Jap, Tap, Pavitra-snan, Homa, Havan and charity to the poor, needy and old people are some of the recommended Punya-karma (deeds) to be performed and wearing of a cotton thread(Upanayana sanskar) should be avoided on this day.
Varshitap
Jain perform ritual on Akshaya Tritiya by offering holy bath to the image of Lord Rishabha dev, the first Teerthankar of Jain with sugarcane juice and celebrated the Varshitap Paran, i.e. the ending of his one-year fast (Varshitap) by consuming sugarcane juice on this significant day.
