Akshaya Tritiya: Do Not Confuse the Meaning –Honour the Wealth You Are Blessed With

Akshaya Tritiya is marked as a very important day in Hindu culture. The message of the day is to honour the wealth you already have; it is not mandatory to buy gold or something new. Buying items is only suggested because this day symbolizes abundance. Traditionally, people buy gold, conduct marriage ceremonies, and even purchase new homes. Over time, it has become like a mini Dhanteras for many, and rather than understanding the true reason why the day is considered auspicious, people have started following trends instead of celebrating according to the real meaning of the day.

Why Do We Celebrate This Day?

It is important to know the stories connected to Akshaya Tritiya:

• Birth of Lord Parshuram – It is believed that Lord Parshuram was born on this day.
• Descent of River Ganga – River Ganga is said to have descended on earth on this day.
• Mahabharata Connection – Lord Krishna gave the Akshaya Patra to the Pandavas, where food never ran out until Draupadi served everyone.
• Story of Sudama – Sudama came to Lord Krishna with a handful of rice as a gift, and in return, he was blessed with great wealth.

If we understand deeply, this day is about celebrating or honouring the wealth you have, not about showing off or increasing expenditures just because it is considered a ritual.

Simple Ways to Honour the Day

1. Gratitude with Money
   • Like our grandmothers used to keep money in their stock of grains, this year you can take eleven rupees or euros, hold them in your palms, affirm gratitude for your wealth, and place them in your rice jar at home.
2. Charity and Food Offering
   • If possible, donate grains or food to a family in need or offer meals to people around you.
3. Honour Knowledge
   • Worship your books and sacred scriptures to honour the wisdom of Lord Parshuram.
4. Rice Kheer Ritual
   • Make rice kheer and place a silver coin in it, or serve it in a silver bowl. Offer it to Lord Vishnu and Maa Lakshmi, then eat it together with your family.
5. Creating Akshaya Patra
   • Option 1: Take a silver box or clear jar and fill it with honey, write the names of all your family members on slips of saffron paper, if you do not have saffron at home then take a yellow paper and write names with red colour pen,now take a bay leaf and write shubh labh on it and one affirmation “thank you universe for so much wealth and abundance in our life”, place a silver coin inside, dip everything in the honey box, close it, and keep it in the temple overnight and next day anywhere in the west direction cupboard of your home. It brings harmony and fame to the family.
   • Option 2: Take a small kalash. Fill it with rice or whole wheat, cinnamon sticks,either 11 coins or one silver coin, some doorva grass, a piece of turmeric, and either a clear quartz or 11 lotus seeds (kamal gatta) and 11 gomati chakras and three bayleaves.Write affirmations on each bayleaf for three areas of your life:
   • 1: Wealth: Thank you Universe for blessing us with abundant of wealth and prosperity in our life.
   • 2:Relationship: Thank you so much universe for blessing us with love and harmony in all our relationships.
   • 3:Knowledge: Thank you universe for blessing us with knowledge , wisdom and mindfulness.

Energise it by reading Shri Suktam and place it in the north or northeast direction of your temple or kitchen.

Option 3: Keep a Citrin crystal tree in southeast corner of your home or work place. Keep spraying some rosewater or gangajal on it time to time and charge it under the full moon light or under the rain water.

On the top of everything, I highly recommend celebrating your wealth by helping someone in need or doing charity for a good cause such as supporting someones education or supporting any animal shelter.

Our festivals always teach us to share and celebrate. This is a beautiful way to honour the wealth and grace of God.

Have a blissful Akshaya Tritiya!

Lots of love,

Shweta