Seven less know facts about Akshaya Tritiya

ISKCON Bangalore: What is the significance of Akshaya Tritiya? Apart from the rush to purchase gold there are many other reasons why this day is very significant. Some of the commonly known aspects are listed below. However, we also give you a list of 7 least known facts. 

Significance of Akshaya Tritiya 

(1) Lord Parashurama appeared on this day (2) Ganges descended to Earth on this day (3) This day marks the beginning of Treta-yuga (4) Sudama visited Krishna at Dwaraka (5) Pandavas received Akshaya Patra from Sun God (6) Vyasadeva started composing Mahabharata on this day (7) Adi Sankaracharya composed Kanakadhara Stotram on this day (8) Kubera received his wealth and position as custodian of wealth and (9) It is said that Goddess Annapoorna Devi appeared on this day.

1. Simhachalam 

Simhachalam (Andhra Pradesh) is the abode of Lord Narasimha. The Deity of Lord Narasimha is always covered with sandal paste. On the day of Akshaya Tritiya (which occurs 11 days before Narasimha Jayanti – the appearance day of Lord Narasimha), the sandal paste is removed and abhishekam is performed. This is the only day the devotees will get to see the form of the Lord. On the same evening, the Deity is again covered with sandal paste. 

2. Jagannath Puri 

Every year the Ratha Yatra festival is celebrated at Jagannath Puri. The three chariots of Jagannath (Nandhighosha), Baladeva (Taladhvaja) and Subhadra (Darpadalana) are newly constructed every year with the wood of specific trees. The construction of the charitos for Ratha Yatra begins on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.

3. Remuna (Kshira-chora Gopinatha) 

In the temple of Kshira-chora Gopinatha (Remuna, Orissa) the Deities of Madana-mohana, Govinda and Gopinatha are smeared with sandalwood pulp on this auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. This tradition is being followed from the time of Sri Madhavendra Puri, one of the acharyas in the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradayas, who travelled from Vrindavana to Jagannath Puri on the order of Gopala Deity to collect sandalwood and camphor. On the way back, the Deity of Gopala ordered Madhavendra Puri to grind the sandalwood with camphor and apply it to Gopinatha Deity because the Deity of Gopala and Gopinatha are non-different. This Deity of Gopinatha stole a sweet rice pot for his dear devotee Madhavendra Puri and hence the name Kshira-chora Gopinatha.

4. Badrinath 

In Badrinath, the temples of Gangotri and Yamunotri are closed during winter. On the day of Akshaya Tritiya the shrines re-open for the pilgrims. 

5. Kumbakonam 

Kumbakonam, the temple-city, celebrates Garuda-vahana Seva for Vishnu Deities (Perumal) from 12 different temples: Chakrapani, Sarangapani, Varadaraja, Valvil Raman etc. Garuda, also known as Vainateya (the son of Vinata) is the bird-carrier of Lord Vishnu. He is the king of the birds (khagendra). In the Vedic literature it is stated that the two wings of Garuda are two divisions of the Sama Veda known (brhat and rathantara). The vibration generated by the flapping of his wings form the basis of Sama Veda mantras. Visit Kumbakonam on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya to have darshan of Dvadasha Garuda Seva. 

6. Guru Pushya 

There is a mad-rush for purchasing gold on Akshaya Tritiya. People believe that if we purchase gold on this auspicious day it will never diminish. But did you know that scriptures recommend Guru Pushya (Pushya Nakshatra falls on Thursday) as the auspicious day for purchase of gold. In 2015, the Guru Pushya yoga is formed only on July 16 and August 13.

7. Srila Prabhupada Incorporated The Leage of Devotees 

Did you know? Srila Prabhupada is the founder-acharya of ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Before starting ISKCON Srila Prabhupada incorporated a society in India, called The League of Devotees, at Jhansi on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya (16th May) in the year 1953.