Every moment is auspicious on the Akshaya Tritiya day, which falls on the third day of the bright half

of Hindu month Vaishakh. Akshaya in Sanskrit means that whic h never diminishes. It is also the birthday of Parashurama, Lord Vishnu s Sixth inc arnation. Today, Akshaya Tritiya has become the Hindu gold rush day. Astrologically, it is believed that the sun and the moon are most radiant and be st placed on the Askhaya Tritiya day. Many devout Hindus choose the day to condu ct auspicious functions. There is no need to select a muhurat on this day as the e ntire day is devoid of malefic influences. Large number of marriages and several new beginnings take place on the day. There are numerous legends associated with Akshaya Tritiya. According to the Pur anas, the day marks the beginning to Treta Yuga. On this day, Veda Vyasa began t he composition of the Mahabharata. Another myth is that Kuchela visited Lord Kri shna on this day. In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas received the Akshaya Pathram (bowl) from Lord K rishna on this day. The Akshaya Pathram provided unlimited food for the Pandavas during their exile. Due to this reason, people believe that anything that is ac quired on this day will be replenished. Therefore people conduct special puja fo r Goddess Lakshmi and buy new gold and silver ornaments and invest money in shar es and real estate. Nowadays, the media managers of various jewelry houses create hype around Akshay a Tritiya day. Due to this jewelry shops witness heavy rush. To add to the gold craze, many banks bring out special gold coins for the occasion.

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Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar and is considered ideal for new beginning and investment. One of the most important leg ends associated with observing Akshaya Trithiya is that of Lord Krishna and Kuch ela. Another significant mythology is that of the Pandavas receiving the Akshay Patra from Krishna. Interestingly, Lord Krishna plays and important part in the stories associated with Trittiya. In the most famous story associated Akshaya Tritiya, Kuchela, a poor Brahmin and schoolmate of Sri Krishna, visited Krishna with the intention of asking some fi nancial favor. Kuchela, also known as Sudama, carried with him handful of poha o r aval (beaten rice). On reaching, the palace of Krishna at Dwarka, Kuchela was ashamed to give the poha to Krishna. But the ever playful Krishna noticed the small bag in the hand of his schoolmate

and soon grabbed it and ate a handful of poha . Kuchela could not believe his eyes , Krishna, the king, eating his poha. It is said Athiti Devo Bhava (Guest are equal to God) and Krishna treated Kuchela like a God. The poor Brahmin was so overwhelmed by the love shown by Krishna tha t he forgot to ask for financial help and returned home empty handed. On reaching his village Sudama could not find his old hut. Instead his hut was r eplaced by a palace. His wife and children were wearing good clothes and everyth ing that was old and worn out was replaced with new. It didn t take long for Kuchela to realize that all this was the leela of the ever-s miling Sri Krishna. The day Kuchela met Sri Krishna was hence observed as Akshay a Tritiya. Another legend happened in the Mahabharata. While the Pandavas were in exile, Sr i Krishna presented them with an Akshaya Patra a bowl which gives unlimited amou nt of food. It is believed that Krishna had presented it on a Trithiya day. Ther efore it is believed that all investments on the day will only increase in value . The day is also the birthday of Lord Parashuram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to the Puranas, the day also marks the beginning to Treta Yuga. On thi s day, Veda Vyasa began the composition of the Mahabharata. -------------------------------------There is a popular belief that whatever one invests in on the day will continue to grow and bring prosperity. Therefore people invest in gold on the day. People also make donations and give alms on the day. Umbrellas, sandals etc are also donated in some regions. Since it is one of the most auspicious days in a Hindu calendar, people begin ne w ventures on the day. People also visit shrines of Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu and Lord Krishna.