Akshaya Tritiya Festival is an agricultural festival celebrated in
Orissa. It falls in the
Akshaya Tritiya day - the third day (Tritiya) of the new moon month of Vaisakha (April-May). The ceremonial sowing of paddy in the field is the main characteristic of this festival.
Akshaya Tritiya Festival is organized in every farming household. After taking an early day bath, the farmers wear new cloths and carry the seeds in new baskets. After making offerings to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, the seeds are sown ceremonially praying for a bumper crop. In the evening strictly vegetarian feasts are arranged in the respective homes.
The festival is called ‘Muthi Chhuan’ in western Orissa, during which eating of green-leaves ('Shag') is forbidden for a day. The famous
Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath also starts in this day.
Akshaya Tritiya is regarded auspicious for starting new ventures and making new purchases. All over India, people celebrate weddings, start new business ventures and making new purchases on this day.
