Akshaya Tritiya is believed to be the most auspicious day of the entire year. This day carries heavy religious significance and is celebrated by majority of Indian population. Many perform all their major tasks on this day and start a new thing as well. Let’s know the mythology associated with this occasion to understand the importance of it.
· The sixth incarnation of
Lord Vishnu – Lord
Parashuram was born on this day. He is said to have reclaimed the
land from the sea as stated in the Puranic scriptures.
· Lord Ganesha and Ved Vyas
had started writing the great Epic
Mahabharata on this day as well.
· Jains also celebrate the
day as the end of the one year fast by Tirthankara Rishabha. They
mark its end by drinking sugarcane juice.
· Another story goes that
God of wealth and the treasurer of all deities – Kubera, prayed to Goddess
Lakshmi on this special day, and was granted the gift of perpetual wealth and
prosperity. Thus, Lord Siva appointed both of them to their coveted positions
as custodians of wealth and prosperity. That is why, this day is so auspicious
for starting new ventures, buying a new property or gold, or getting married,
as it assures prosperity and benefits. In many households, a day-long
Kubera-Lakshmi puja is performed on this day.
· The holy river Ganga also
descended on Earth from the heavens on this day.
· Lord Krishna’s childhood
friend Sudama, visited Dwarka to him and offered him a humble gift of Poha.
Therefore followers of Lord Vishnu fast throughout the day and open their fasts
with rice.
· According to South Indian
legend, Goddess Sundaresa (incarnation of Lord Shiva) got married to Goddess
Madhura on this day.
· Annapurna,
the Goddess of food, was born on this day.
She is a special form of Parvati who feeds the hungry. Once, Shiva disguised
himself as a beggar and approached Annapurna for food. On the Akshaya Tritiya
day, she fed Lord Shiva himself. Why should Shiva beg when He is the lord
of the Universe? Shiva’s begging is a symbolic act – he begs for all his
beggars.
· AkshayaPatram: In the great epic Mahabharata, there was a king named
Yudhisthira. He was the eldest brother among the five Pandavas, and was
recognized as the son of Dharma. At Thirumanthurai temple, the Gods granted
Yudhisthira with an Akshaya Patram or bowl that grants undiminishing food. He used
this for the benefit of the people. He received this bowl on the Akshaya
Tritiya day.Once, Garuda, the divine vehicle of Lord Vishnu, worshipped Goddess
Lakshmi. She offered an Akshaya Patram to Garuda. While worshipping the Sun
God, he offered food to the deity in this golden Akshaya bowl. These incidents
happened in Arasar temple in the previous Yugas.
Krishna and Kusela: On the Akshaya Tritiya day, Kusela went to meet his childhood friend Lord Krishna with the hope of solving his poverty as Krishna was a very rich king. However, he could only afford to carry along rice flakes to greet Krishna. Though he was ashamed initially to share the rice flakes with Lord Krishna, Krishna forced him to give those flakes. The moment Krishna tasted those flakes, Kusela’s poverty vanished and he became rich overnight.
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