akṣaya tṛtīya

When: April 29 at 7 p.m.
What: akṣarābhyāsam

akṣaya tṛtīya is of immense significance. It is often referred to as the “day of prosperity”. It’s a time when auspicious beginnings are made, and it is believed that any good deed or investment made on this day will bring long-lasting good fortune and prosperity. Therefore, starting something important like initiating formal education for a child on akṣaya tṛtīya can have several-fold benefit to the child’s learning capabilities and future education. So, on this day, April 29, at 7 p.m., we will conduct akṣarābhyāsam with saraswati pūjā. Interested parents can come with their toddler to participate in this event.

Please bring:

a slate and a piece of chalk (can be subsituted with thick white paper and a permanent marker),
a coconut
some fruits
flowers

for this ceremony.

Relevance and significance of akṣaya tṛtīya: akṣaya in sanskṛt means never-diminishing, eternal and imperishable. It’s associated with abundance, prosperity, and enduring success, particularly through the concept of the ” akṣaya pātra” (an inexhaustible vessel).

sudāmā was a childhood friend of Lord kṛṣṇa. Their friendship is celebrated as an example of unwavering loyalty and true friendship, regardless of social status or wealth. sudāmā, also known as kuċēla, was a poor brāhmaṇ who, despite his poverty, cherished his friendship with the wealthy and powerful Lord kṛṣṇa. On one vaiśākha śuddha tṛtīya, sudāmā, visited Lord kṛṣṇa with a handful of parched rice in a small pot. Lord kṛṣṇa, touched by sudāmā’s devotion, transformed the pot sudāmā brought the rice in into an akṣaya pātra, and sudāmā’s hut into a palace, symbolizing the concept of akṣaya nidhī (eternal wealth).

Thereafter, this day, vaiśākha śuddha tṛtīya, is celebrated as akṣaya tṛtīya. The belief is buying a small quantity of anything on this day can multiply significantly. Hence, people buy gold and other precious items and assets on this day. One should also keep in mind that doing charitable work on this day can also be significantly magnified. So, several people donate in kind or cash, and perform charitable tasks / activities.`