Akshaya Tritiya 2021 -- buying gold, donating to the poor and other things you can do to cherish the day

• Akshaya Tritiya, also popularly known as Akha Teej is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus and Jains.
  
  
• Considered as the lucky day that can help bring prosperity into the household, this day is spent in puja and acts aimed at inviting health, wealth and prosperity.
  
  
• In 2021, Akshaya Tritiya will be celebrated on Friday, 14 May and people buy gold or precious metals on this day to invite luck.

The other name of Akshaya Tritiya is Akha Teej. Celebrated during the spring season, this festival falls in the month of Vaisakha in the Hindu calendar marked on the third day (Tritiya) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon). Hindus and Jains in the countries of India and Nepal celebrate this festival enthusiastically to invite good luck and prosperity into their household. In 2021, Akshaya Tritiya is marked on the calendar on Friday, 14 May 2021.

The literal meaning of Akshaya Tritiya is ‘Unending Prosperity’. It is said the day of Akshaya Tritiya brings the settings of Treta Yuga in all the other three Yugas of Satya, Dwapara and Kali. The important activities that are recommended for this day are Madhusudana ritual, Tulsi puja, and chanting of Vishnu Sahasranamam. Charities are best performed on this day with the hope of getting added merits or Punya.

What types of charities to do on Akshaya Tritiya

On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, you can donate water, beds, clothes, kumkum, sandalwood, betel leaves, coconut, and buttermilk. People also donate bronze or silver vessels filled with water along with saffron, basil leaves, camphor, tulsi and betel leaves. This charity is believed to fulfill one’s wishes. The most popular charity on this day is donating slippers, shoes or sandals meaning any kind of footwear. Donating an umbrella on this day can bring success and remove obstacles from one’s way. Donating wheat on Akshaya Tritiya is believed to bring rains. People feed cows, birds and other living beings with rice, wheat and other cereals to escape from different kinds of sins and doshas.

Buy gold or precious metals

In many households, people buy at least one gram of gold on this day. Buying gold on this day is believed to usher prosperity into the household. If it is not possible to invest in gold on this day, people at least buy some precious metals. Iron must not be bought on this day. Jewelry, silverware and copper ware are popular shopping items topping the list on this day.

Pujas and worships

Chanting Vishnusahasranama or the mantras and slokas of Lord Vishnu is considered an auspicious thing to do on Akshaya Tritiya. People perform Lakshmi Puja on this day to invite the presence of Goddess Lakshmi, the giver of wealth, health and prosperity. On this day, the loved ones who have departed from the household are remembered. This day is very significant for women praying for the welfare of their husbands. Sprouts and fruits are distributed among the relatives and friends on this day. Some people observe a day long fast on this day to invite the blessings of Vishnu and Lakshmi.