Finance
Today is exclusively an agricultural festival ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ in Odisha, with farmers performing ‘Akhi Muthi Anukula,’ the ceremonial act of sowing seeds in their paddy fields after ploughing. The occasion marks the start of agricultural work.
On this day the farmer ceremonially starts sowing seeds in the field, especially paddy.
Farmers dressed in new clothes carry a decorated basket of seeds to their fields, where the seeds are offered to Goddess Lakshmi in prayer for a bountiful harvest season.
The festival also heralds the start of the ‘Chandan Jatra’ of deities at several Odisha shrines. The construction of chariots for Lord Jagannath and His siblings’ Ratha Jatra in Puri also begins today.
The day of ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ is considered auspicious for new beginnings such as weddings, property purchases, investments, and so on. It is believed that what began on Akshaya Tritiya will continue to grow and prosper.
Mythological significance of Akshay Tritiya
According to Hindu mythology, Akshaya Tritiya marks the beginning of the Treta Yuga. It is known as ‘Parasurama Jayanti’ because it also commemorates the birthday of Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, whom Hindus regard as the preserver of the Universe.
On this day, it is also believed that the Ganga river descended on the earth at the request of King Bhagiratha in order to assist his ancestors in attaining Moksha.
Devotees believe that it was on this day that Ved Vyasa told Ganesha the Mahabharata.
According to one account, Krishna gave Draupadi Akshaya Patra during a famine because it was an invincible magical bowl called Akshaya Patram that would always be full of food of the Pandava’s choice.
According to another legend, Sudama paid a visit to his childhood friend Krishna in Dwarka on this day and received unlimited wealth.
