Akshaya Trithi in Chennai
Akshaya Tritiya, variously spelt as Akshya Thiritiya, Akshaya Tritiiya and also called Akshaya Trithi, falling on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Vaisakha of the traditional Hindu calendar, is one of the four most auspicious days of the year for Indians. The word Akshaya, a Sanskrit word, literally means one that never diminishes, and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. It is widely celebrated in all parts of India by different sections of the society irrespective of their religious faith and social grouping. The day is particularly considered auspicious for buying long term assets like gold and silver, including ornaments made of the same; diamond and other precious stones; and the real estate. The legend states that any venture initiated on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya shall continue to grow and bring prosperity. Hence, it is normal to see many of the new ventures, like starting a business, ground breaking for construction etc on the Akshaya Tritiya Day.
The day is also traditionally celebrated as the birth day of the Hindu sage Parashurama, the sixth avatar (incarnation) of the God Vishnu.
This year, Akshaya Tritiya falls between 19th and 20th April, 2007.It’s the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh, Sukla Paksha. Which means that white is the most auspicious colour of the day.
It’s the fourth most auspicious day in the Hindu calendar. A day that brings eternal good fortune. Each year, this day is anticipated with enthusiasm, as the most auspicious day to bring Goddess Lakshmi home. And this year, along with gold and silver, buying the white metal – platinum – is considered most auspicious.
Mythology
According to Hindu mythology, on this day the Treta Yuga began; and the Ganges River, the most holy and sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven.
The story originates from the Mahabharata. When the Pandavas were in exile, Lord Krishna gave Draupadi a bowl called the Akshaya Pathram. The word Akshaya means that which never diminishes and this bowl is said to have given infinite food to the Pandavas. Just by turning it upwards a day, the pot will provide unlimited amounts of food for the satisfaction of the Lords. This is why this day is considered to be a good time to bring home Goddess Laxshmi, in any form, gold, silver or platinum. Valuables that are acquired on this day are said to be replenished endlessly.
Akshaya Tritiya is also known as Akha Teej and is celebrated as the birthday of Parshurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu. This marked the beginning of the Golden Age.
Parshuram is considered to be the personification of valour and of devotion. His father’s name was Jamadagni, and his mother’s Renuka. Jamadagni was very hot-tempered and Parshuram inherited this quality from him. One day, Jamadagni got angry with his wife Renuka and commanded Parshuram to kill her. Parshuram, in obedience to his father’s command, killed his mother. Jamadagni was satisfied and told his son to ask him whatever he wanted. Parshuram asked that this mother be brought back to life. Thus Renuka became alive again. In this way Parshuram proved his devotion to his father and mother.
Akshaya Tritiya spells gold rush for banks
For banks that sell gold coins, it is yet another business opportunity. And days like Akshaya Tritiya, considered auspicious for buying gold, a chance to advertise their business.
IOB sold 25 kg of gold coins on Akshaya Tritiya - which fell on a Sunday (April 30) in 2006 - and is positive that it will see perennial demand for gold.
Jewellers do roaring sales on Akshaya Tritiya day
Around 62 kg of gold was sold through the outlets of Joy Alukkas all over the State till noon, according to Vinod, manager of Joy Alukkas in Kochi. The rage was not confined to gold alone. Diamonds worth Rs.40 lakhs were also sold at Joy Alukkas outlets in the State till 2.30 p.m
Prashanth’s Real Gold Tower
Prashanth may not be in the list of top ten heroes, but he certainly is in the field. He is a steady guy, with his career graph going in a plateau. About forty to sixty lakhs per film, he must have acted in more than fifty film in the last fifteen years. Where does he put his money? Well, if Surya is into textiles and Vijay is into building marriage halls, Prashanth is into building shopping complexes. Watch out for Prashanth’s Real Gold Tower at T Nagar, scheduled to open this Akshaya Trithi, that is some time this May. The complex will have showrooms for gold and jewellery items besides a department store. He will inaugurate the complex himself.
