Akha Teej (Akshaya Tritiya) is a Hindu holy day, which comes on the third Tithi of Shukla Paksha (Bright Half) of month of Vaishaka as per Hindu Lunar Calendar. It is one of the Sade – Teen (three and half) Muhuratas, which are very auspicious for Hindu Astrology. [1st Tithi of Sukal Paksha of Chaitra, 10th Tithi of Sukal Paksha of Ashvina, 3rd Tithi of Sukal Paksha of Vaishakha and 1st Tithi of Sukal Paksha of Karttika. The first three Tithi are counted as full and the last one as half Tithi].
The word "Akshaya" means the something which remains forever and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. It is believed that if you do a charity on this day you will be blessed and will receive blessings many fold. It is said that any venture initiated on the auspicious day shall continue to grow and bring prosperity. The Bikaner city was also founded on the day under same belief.
This day is ruled by god Vishnu, the preserver-god in the Hindu Trinity. It is also traditionally celebrated as the birth day of the Hindu sage Parashurama, sixth avatar (incarnation) of the god Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, on this day the Treta Yuga began and the river Ganga, the most holy and sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven. According to Hindu mythology, it was aslo the day when Veda Vyasa started dictating the epic Mahabharata to Ganesha.
Fasts are kept on this day and Pujas are performed. In charity, fan, rice, salt, ghee, sugar, vegetables, tamarind, fruit, clothes, are donated. Akshay Tritiiya is also an occasion for weddings, which are conducted in mass marriage ceremonies. It is considered an unboojha muhurat. People fly kites on the day as celebration. People do shopping on this day, especially gold purchase.
Chandan Yatra is held in Jagannath Temples on Akha Teej. The once in a year Charan Darshan of Lord Krishna at the Banke Bihari Temple takes place on Akha Teej. Special pujas dedicated to Ganesha, Lord Vishnu and Maha Lakshmi are observed on the day. The Char Dham Yatra to the four temples in Uttarkhand begins on the Akha Teej day.
