Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh): The celebration of Akshaya Tritiya is in its full fervour across the country on Friday.
Devotees offered prayers and took a holy dip at Sarayu River in Ayodhya on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.
One of the devotees present at the ghat said, "It is considered very auspicious to take a holy dip in River Sarayu on Akshaya Tritiya. I am glad to be here with my family.
After performing rituals, I will offer prayers at Ram Temple."
Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious days celebrated by Hindus and Jains across the country. The day is symbolic of good luck, success and fortune.
Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated through prayer, almsgiving, and spirituality. The day is considered t to be highly lucky for starting new businesses, making investments, and buying gold and real estate.
In Sanskrit, the word 'Akshaya' means 'never diminishing'. It is said that things that start on this day expand forever with fewer obstacles in their way, and that doing good deeds on this day will bring eternal success and fortune.
The occasion is celebrated on the third day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaisakh.
According to the Gregorian calendar, this day falls sometime in April-May. It is on this day that both the sun and the moon are said to be at their planetary best alignment.
The day is also known as 'Akha Teej' and is being celebrated on May 10 this year. It is believed that tasks done on this auspicious day are blessed by divine powers and always prove beneficial.
It is considered to be an auspicious day to bring home precious metals like gold and silver for prosperity. It was the day when the third of the four Yugas - Treta Yuga began.
Interestingly, the festival also marks the birth anniversary of Parashurama (6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu).
It is also believed that Lord Krishna handed Draupadi a Patra (container) in which food appeared in abundance during the period when Pandavas were exiled to forests.
According to Hindu scriptures, Akshaya Tritiya also marks the start of the Kaliyug and the end of the Dwapar yug.
Apart from buying gold, people arrange Akshata, fast, and offer Naivedyam Thali to God.
People, who fast for a day, prepare Akshata and offer it to Lord Vishnu to bring good luck to their families.
Unbroken rice, turmeric, and kumkum are combined to make 'Akshata'. And it is believed that offering the Naivedyam Thali to Lord Vishnu will bring us his blessings.
The thali is mostly made up of milk and milk products. Milk and grains are used to make sweets, which are subsequently dedicated to the Lord.
