Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, is revered as a sacred day by Hindus and Jains. Akshaya Tritiya takes place on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the lunar month of Vaishakh. People use this auspicious day to start new businesses, jobs or charitable endeavours. They also pay respect to their departed parents and ancestors. Since it is considered to be the most auspicious day as per the Hindu calendar, all the activities undertaken on this day bring desired results.
It is considered auspicious to purchase gold and silver on this day. By investing in gold and silver, one is thought to receive the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, who represents wealth and success. The logic behind this long-standing custom is that buying gold is always profitable and it will always have a good resale value.
Hindu texts state that this day has a lot of significance. On this day, Lord Parashuram, Lord Vishnu's sixth avatar, is said to have manifested. In addition, it is also stated that the Holy Ganga arrived on Earth on Akshaya Tritiya to grant King Bhagiratha's afflicted forefathers’ nirvana.
This day also heralds the start of Treta-yuga, the second of the Yuga Cycle's four yugas. It's also believed that Sudama paid Lord Krishna a visit at Dwarka on Akshaya Tritiya. Adi Sankaracharya wrote the Kanakadhara Stotram and Vyasadeva began work on the Mahabharata on this auspicious day. In addition, Lord Kubera is also said to have received his role as the wealth custodian on Akshaya Tritiya.
Akshaya signifies limitless or never ending in Sanskrit. According to a legend, on this day, the Sun God gave the Pandavas the Akshaya Patra, an endless store of food that they would never run out of. The story has immense significance in the context of our 22-year journey which we started to provide children unlimited food for education.
Celebrate Akshaya Tritiya this April 22, 2023, with The Akshaya Patra Foundation, which offers children in government schools the "Akshaya Patra" of limitless food for education.
Akshaya Tritiya – An Auspicious Day for Charity
As per Vedic texts, in the past, the kings and wealthy members of society would conduct sacrifices (yajna) and give away their wealth. This engagement in charitable endeavours was either out of compassion for others or for their own spiritual development.
In the Bhagavad Gita, it is advised to perform charity and support a deserving individual at an appropriate moment and place, without expecting anything in return. It is also said that one should never stop engaging in yajna, dana, tapah and karma(prescribed duties of performing sacrifice, charity and austerity).
One of the best ways to do charity is by doing Annadanam which is considered the highest form of giving. The Sanskrit word Annadanam means the act of offering or sharing (danam) of food (annam). This has always been a component of Indian spiritual tradition and culture.
Feed with Akshaya Patra this Akshaya Tritiya
As Akshaya Tritiya is considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar to do an act of charity, a contribution for school meals of children from challenging socio-economic backgrounds can significantly transform their lives. The provision of freshly cooked, hot, healthy and locally palatable school meals by Akshaya Patra is a potential intervention in ensuring the health and education of children.
How donating to Akshaya Patra makes an impact
• It opens the gates of school for children
• It boosts their health with adequate nutrition
• It supports regular schooling and improves academic performance
• It ensures the completion of education by boosting retention
• It encourages them to pursue their dreams
This Akshaya Tritiya, you can feed the children by contributing to Akshaya Patra's PM POSHAN Programme. Donations to Akshaya Patra are tax exempted under Section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act. Upon successful transaction of your donation, you will instantly receive the donation receipt and tax exemption certificate for your donated amount in your inbox.