Akshaya Tritiya 2016: Tithi, timings, vidhi

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Mumbai: Also known as Akha Teej, Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most important festivals of the India. This day is of great significance and is considered highly auspicious. In Sanskrit, Akshaya means ‘never diminishing’ and the blessings obtained post Puja remain with the devotee forever. Also, on this day, people buy gold as it is believed that investing in the precious metal will usher in prosperity. 

Akshaya falls on the third day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishakha according to the Hindu Lunar calendar.

Legends associated with Akshaya Tritiya

There are a number of legends associated with this Hindu festival.
Here’s taking a look at some of them:
Lord Kubera (the treasurer and God of wealth) is believed to have got his lost fortune back.
On this day, Sudama was blessed with abundance of wealth by his dear friend Lord Krishna.
Goddess Annapurna is believed to have been born on this day.
It is also believed to be the birth date of Parashuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Ved Vyasa is believed to have started penning the Mahabharata on this day.

Akshaya Tritiya Tithi

The Akshaya Tritiya tithi begins on May 8, Sunday at 5:51PM and ends on the following day (Monday) at 2:52 PM.

Akshaya Tritiya Puja timings

The Puja can be performed between 5:38 AM and 12:17 PM on Monday, May 9.

Puja Vidhi

You can offer your prayers o Lord Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi or Kuber and his co-custodian of treasure - Lakshmi - on this day.

Use a wooden platform and spread a yellow or red coloured cloth on it. Now respectfully place an idol of Lakshmi and Narayan or Lakshmi and Kubera on the platform. Make sure, Lakshmi is to be placed to Vishnu’s left and to the right of Kubera.

Light an earthen or silver lamp with ghee or oil and a few incense sticks.

Invite the God and the Goddess o accept your offerings and prayers.

Apply haldi, kumkum and chandan and put akshat.

Offer fruits, paan supari and water to the Gods.

Pray to the God and Goddess for blessing you with good health, wealth and happiness.

Now perform the aarti by ringing the bell and conclude the puja.