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Akshaya Tritiya is also known as Akha Teej.
Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated by the Jains and the Hindus.
Akshaya Tritiya falls on the 3rd day after the new moon according to the Hindu calendar in the month of Vaishakha.
Significance
Akshaya Tritiya is considered auspicious and worshipped by the Jains. Tirthankara Rshabhdeva was a famous King of Ayodhya. He gave up all the pleasures of his life to live an ascetic life. He became the first monk of Jains, who did not have anything even food. Monks do not prepare their own food. They have to ask for food by going to the door step of every people. Likewise Tirthankara Rshabhdeva he went to ask for food and water at the door step of the people.
They used to offer money, cloth, jewelries, gold, gemstones, horses, elephants and some even use to give their daughter as an honour for their King. The king was not interested in all these things and he just wanted some food to eat and water to drink. At that time nobody could understand what the King was wanting and that is why he had to fast for a very long time. One day his own son Shreyansha Kumara came to know that what his father was asking for and later he offered him food and water. Finally he broke the fast on this day. Hence the Jains observe fast for a long time and break their fast on Akshaya Tritiya with sugar cane juice to remember and give honour to their first Tirthankara Rshabhdeva.
Legendary Importance
Akshaya Tritiya is also well-known as the Navanna Parvam. Akshaya Tritiya is important for the Hindus as the day is ruled by the Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is known as the God of preserver in the Hindu Trinity. This day is also celebrated as the birth day of the Hindu sage Parashurama, who was the 6th manifestation of Lord Vishnu. As per the Hindu mythology, it is said that on this blessed day the Treta Yuga began. Legends also say that river Ganga, the most sacred river in India descended from the heaven on the earth on this day.
The Sanskrit meaning of the word "Akshaya" is never diminishing and it is believed that this day brings luck and success for everybody. Legends also say that doing charity on this day is good as in return people will get blessing from the gods. It is seen that many people start their new ventures on this day in order to get success and luck in their ventures. Gold has become the symbol of purity in today's world. So buying gold jewelries is also considered auspicious on this day, as Akshaya Tritiya will continue to bring luck and prosperity.
Celebration of Akshaya Tritiya
People generally observe fast on this day, puja's are conducted and Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this day. People do a lot of charity on this day. They offer cloths, grains, money, fruits, sugar, and ghee to the poor. People also believe that taking a holy dip into the river Ganga is auspicious. Some people buy gold on this day. People starts all their new ventures on this blessed day as any good thing done on this day is considered to be very fortunate and brings growth for that venture.
Traditional food
As this day is considered very lucky and fortunate people prepare delicious food on this day. Dishes prepared on this day are mostly sweet such as Besan Burfi, kaju katri, kalakand, khoya Burfi, basundi, gulkand Burfi and mango raita.
Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated widely in almost all parts of India with great joy and enthusiasm. This festival breaks all the barriers of cast and creed which are all manmade.
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