Akshaya Tritiya, alternatively referred to as Akha Teej, is one of the most prominent Hindu festivals celebrated across India, including Odisha. This means the third lunar day (Tritiya) in the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindi month Vaishakh. The day is said to bring eternal wealth and fortune. The important word Akshaya means “without ending,” which means whatever good work or money is spent on this day will continue to yield returns for the rest of one’s life.
In Odisha, Akshaya Tritiya is considered a regional and religious festival. Farmers would initiate their agricultural season by sowing their seeds; the business community starts their new business for the same reason, that is, uninterrupted growth. The rest mostly buy gold as it is considered highly sacred. There is the Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath, which has its spiritual worth. Hence, the day in Odisha now holds, for one and all, to put it all in the mix – charity, prayer, and new beginnings – into the hope and prosperity of Akshaya Tritiya, therefore blasting through mediocrity with no less divine blessings.
Mythological Significance of Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya is a combination of some of the legends that make the day holy in Hindu culture. On this day, legends say, Lord Krishna gave Draupadi the Akshaya Patra (the vessel that is inexhaustible) to ensure that the Pandavas would never be hungry. Another legend associates this day with the birth of Lord Parasurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu.
In Odisha, Akshaya Tritiya is once again associated with the ceremonial construction of Lord Jagannath’s chariot for the famous Rath Yatra. Devotees believe everything you do that is spiritual or charitable on this day gives you great merit. Many devotees belong to a tradition of visiting temples on Akshaya Tritiya, with the most popular being the Jagannath Temple in Puri, so they may receive blessings on this day. Nonetheless, the mythological origins of the festival solidify the Odia people’s faith and willingness to embrace optimism and abundance.
Traditional Celebrations in Odisha
In Odisha, a day of great joy is marked with a blend of religious and cultural traditions. Farmers believe it to be a very fortunate day for sowing seeds, called Akhaya Muthi Anukula, which they believe will safeguard Kharif crops from fluctuations in the weather. It is the day that merchants start new account books; families invest in either gold or land of which are considered to last forever.
An additional important highlight of this day occurs with the Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath, whereby the deities are cloaked in sandalwood paste to cool off from the harsh summer temperature. Devotees come to Puri to watch the entire event unfold. The other charity acts are Dan-Punya taking the form of feeding people, clothing, and general donations to the needy. Dinning, family get-togethers, and prayers contribute to the blend of belief and festivity during Akshaya Tritiya in Odisha.
Why People Buy Gold on Akshaya Tritiya?
People are familiar with the practice of buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya, which represents prosperity and abundance. In Odisha, thousands of people flock to jewelry stores because they believe buying gold on this day brings endless wealth. The sustenance of the value of metal occurs is called Akshaya, meaning imperishable; is in keeping with the total ethos of the festival.
For Hindus, gold is associated with the Goddess Lakshmi, and it is said that purchasing gold on Akshaya Tritiya will help fulfill Lakshmi’s bounty. Alternatively, people often gift gold to family members for love or to express a Lucky wish. Certainly, the symbolism language of gold reinforces belief in the provisions that come from above. A symbol of investment for many, gold has and continues to carve out a very special place in the identity of Akshaya Tritiya in Odisha.
Akshaya Tritiya and Lord Jagannath’s Rituals
Akshaya Tritiya has special significance in the Jagannath Tradition of Odisha. The day marks the commencement of the Chandan Yatra, which is a 21-day-long festival in which people are ‘abraded’ by Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra with paste made of sanders. The devotees would come to Puri to perform a divine function in which they would pray for their “health & happiness”.
Moreover, a further important tradition starts- the creation of the Rathas for the forthcoming Rath Yatra. Carpenters start constructing the enormous chariots with the recital of sacred mantras. Hence, with spirituality and the craft, the festival is again a vital part of Odisha’s religious calendar.
Embracing Prosperity on Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya extends beyond simply being a festival; it offers a cultural celebration of faith, abundance, and new beginnings for the people of Odisha. On this day, positivity is felt all around this festival, whether it’s farmers sowing their seeds or devotees praying at temples. All forms of celebration involve gold purchases, donations, or praying, and Odias believe that good deeds realized on this day will only accrue the maximum rewards.
As the sun sets on Akshaya Tritiya, the feeling of hope and abundance remains with everyone, genuinely answering for the infinite possibilities of life itself. This religious festival is one of the rare, pure, and honest celebrations, and it continues the feeling of culture and also inspires prosperity for the future.
