Akshaya Tritiya - The Festival of Gold

Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most widely celebrated festivals of Hindu Religion.This festival is also known as Akha Teej. This year Akshaya Tritiya festival falls on Sunday, the 16th of May 2010. This Festival holds the reputation as the 'Festival of Gold'. Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Vaisakha of the traditional Hindu calendar when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation.On this day the Sun will be in Aries and Moon in Taurus and both along with the Planet Jupiter comes under Mrigshira Nakshatra. According to the Puranas, this day marks the beginning of Treta Yug; the birthday of Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu. It is said that it was the day of Akshay Tritiya, that Ved Vyas along with Lord Ganesha started writing the Mahabharata.This is a very auspicious day for Hindus and they mostly invest on gold and silver, Diamond and other precious stones and the real estate on this day.One can observe heavy crowds in Jewelry Shops as it is believed that buying Gold on this day brings luck and eternal success.The word `Akshaya' means that which never diminishes and s new ventures made and valuables purchased on this day would be fruitful and believed to bring luck and success. It is believed that whatever is bought on this day will remain forever. So this day is also considered auspicious for starting new ventures, housewarmings, marriages etc. According to Hindu astrology the entire day is auspicious and there is no need to look for a muhurat on the day to start a new venture.

Many Hindus follow the ritual of doing good deeds on this day as it is believed that doing good deeds would bring 'punya' for life time. Hindus conduct special Pujas, bathe in holy rivers and make donations on this day. Heavy crowds are seen in the temples of Lord Vishnu, Ganesha and Lakshmi on this day. The Lakshmi Kubera Homa done on this day is said to attract wealth and prosperity for life long. On the day several business people perform ceremonies to start the new account books along with the worship of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi and distribute sweets and gifts to customers.