Akshaya Tritiya is the auspicious Day that represents wealth and prosperity. ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ literally means the 3rd Lunar Day of never-diminishing good things. It is believed that this unending good pertains principally to the blessings of auspiciousness, wealth, prosperity, and fortune. People also call this occasion Akha Teej and celebrate it on the 3rd lunar Day of the waxing Moon phase in the month of Vaishaka (April-May).
Akshaya Tritiya Puja is an important ceremonial worship that people perform on the occasion, which falls on May 10, 2024 this Year.
Akshaya Tritiya Significance
The greatness of Akshaya Tritiya stems from the tremendous astrological, religious, and mythological significance it enjoys. On Akshaya Tritiya, the Sun remains in sign Aries and the Moon in Taurus, and thus, both these luminaries are in their best, exalted positions.
It is also the Day of the Advent of Parashurama, the aggressive Avatar of Vishnu, who ruthlessly rooted out cruelty from the earth and established the righteous order. It was also when Surya, the Sun God, bestowed to the virtuous Pandavas of epic Mahabharata, Akshaya Patra, the miraculous vessel that will keep providing non-depleting food. It was also only on Akshaya Tritiya that Krishna, deeply touched by the humble offering of rice flakes by his childhood friend Sudama, banished his poverty and blessed him with great affluence.
According to mythology, it was on Akshaya Tritiya that Kubera was made the Lord of Wealth. As affluence and plenty occupy the center stage in Akshaya Tritiya observance, people primarily worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, and Kubera, the Lord of Wealth, on the auspicious Day, performing Akshaya Tritiya Puja and other rituals.
While people consider Akshaya Tritiya highly propitious for starting anything of significance in life, they believe that Divine worship on that occasion can ensure a good life without wants and problems. They also do charity on the occasion, which they believe will greatly please the Gods and bless them with their grace.
Akshaya Tritiya Puja
People generally perform Akshaya Tritiya Puja to improve their finances by attracting wealth and prosperity. They also resort to this worship before performing any auspicious event or launching any significant activity or endeavor.
While the Akshaya Tritiya Puja, the Sacred worship that people perform on the auspicious occasion, is mainly dedicated to the divinities associated with wealth like Lakshmi and Kubera, the worship, per se, involves many rituals and chanting done to other divinities, too.
The Puja typically begins by invoking Ganesha, the God who removes obstacles and ensures the success of the endeavors and activity. It also includes Punyavachan, the purification ceremony for cleansing the atmosphere; Kalasha Sthapana, the ceremonial establishing and consecration of the Sacred pot; and Navagraha Puja, the worship of the 9 planetary lords, who strongly influence our lives.
Then they do Pujas to Kubera and Mother Goddess Lakshmi at an auspicious time (Muhurta), when they recite Ashtottara Namavali, their 108 Sacred names, and chant other hymns. Then comes the time for Homa, the fire ritual, which they perform ceremonially with the chanting of Mantras. Then they offer prayers to the divinities seeking their kind blessings and conclude the Akshaya Tritiya Puja with the Aarti worship, offering of oblations to the deities, and the distribution and partaking of Prasad.
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Benefits
Akshaya Tritiya Puja performed on the auspicious occasion can earn the immense blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Kubera, grant wealth, prosperity, good health, and fortune, enhance income, help improve knowledge and develop wisdom, provide growth and success in profession or business, relieve sins, and bestow progeny blessings, paternal joy, and happiness in life.
