Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej is considered to be a highly auspicious day as per Hindu astrology. Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day after Amavasi, i.e. no moon night in the Hindu month of Vaisakha.

Each moment on the day of Akshaya Tritiya is considered auspicious and hence no opportune moment (muhurat) need to be looked out for initiating new ventures.

Sun and moon are said to be the most radiant and best placed on this day and hence its ideal for beginning new businesses, investing, purchasing valuables and tying the nuptial knots.

The word ‘akshaya’ means that which never diminishes and hence any investment made on this day is said to appreciate to its optimum.

In the year of 2017, Akshaya Tritiya is on 28th April.

Legends

Story of Krishna and Sudama

Like most Hindu festivals, Akshaya Tritiya also has a number of mythological stories associated with it.

As the legend goes once Sudama, a poor childhood friend of Lord Krishna was going through rough times and decided to such financial assistance from the latter.

Despite grim conditions at his end, he carried a handful of poha(beaten rice) for Krishna with lot of love and ardent devotion.

Krishna, welcomed Sudama warmly and treated him like a deity. Receiving such wonderful and loving treatment, Sudama was so overwhelmed that he forgot all about his purpose of visit and left for his home happy and content.

On reaching back to his village, Sudama could not find his tattered hut and was amazed to find a beautiful palace instead. It did not take him long to realise that it was one of Lord Krishna’s gracious miracles. This eventful day has since then been observed as a day of prosperity.

Story of Pandavas and Akshaya Patra

As per another mythological story, on this day, Lord Krishna had presented an ‘akshaya patra’ - a bowl which could yield unlimited amount of food - to the Pandavas when they were in exile.

Ever since any investments made on this day are believed to multiply in value.