Akshaya Tritiya, one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar, marks a time of infinite prosperity, success, and auspicious beginnings. The word "Akshaya" means imperishable or eternal, and worship performed on this day is believed to bring long-lasting benefits. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to worship on this sacred day, focusing on eco-friendly, traditional practices.
1. Cleanliness and Preparation
Cleanliness is an essential part of any puja in Hinduism as it symbolizes both outer and inner purity.
House Cleanliness: Thoroughly clean the area where the puja is to be performed. Start by sweeping and mopping the floors. Use natural cleansers like water mixed with cow dung (consider eco-friendly versions) or herbal cleansers.
Personal Cleanliness: Take a bath early in the morning. You can use herbal or organic soaps and oils to keep it environmentally friendly.
Puja Space: Cleanse the puja area by sprinkling Ganga jal (holy water from the Ganges) or purified water around the space.
2. Time for Worship
Akshaya Tritiya is observed during the Tritiya Tithi of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the month of Vaisakha.
- The most auspicious time for performing the puja is in the morning after sunrise. However, any time during the day is considered favorable, but morning is traditionally preferred.
3. Appropriate Clothing
Wear clean and traditional attire to mark the sanctity of the occasion. Opt for eco-friendly, organic fabrics.
- Men: Wear white or light yellow dhoti or kurta.
- Women: Wear white, light yellow, or green saree/salwar. These colors symbolize purity, positivity, and prosperity.
4. Puja Items Required (Eco-friendly Options)
Opt for natural, biodegradable, and traditional items for your Akshaya Tritiya puja. Avoid plastic or synthetic items.
- Kalash (Brass or Clay Pot): Symbolizes abundance.
- Turmeric and Kumkum: For marking auspicious symbols.
- Flowers: Use eco-friendly flowers like jasmine, marigold, or roses. Avoid plastic flowers.
- Fruits: Fresh seasonal fruits such as bananas, mangoes, and coconuts.
- Incense Sticks: Choose organic and natural incense sticks.
- Camphor (Kapoor): For the aarti.
- Diya (Lamp): Use ghee (clarified butter) in a brass or earthen diya.
- Rice (Unbroken): Symbolizes purity.
- Betel leaves and nuts: Used for offerings.
- Coconut: For the conclusion of the puja.
- Sandalwood Paste (Chandan): For marking the forehead (tilak).
- Gangajal or Holy Water: For purifying the space.
5. Simple Steps of Akshaya Tritiya Puja
Step 1: Setup
- Set up a Kalash (filled with water and mango leaves) and place it in the center of the puja area.
- Install idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and Lord Vishnu (preserver of the universe).
- Place coins or gold ornaments (if any) near the deities, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
Step 2: Invocation (Avahana)
- Light the diya and incense sticks.
- Start by invoking Lord Ganesha for the removal of obstacles with the mantra:
"Om Gan Ganapataye Namah"
Step 3: Offering to the Deities
- Offer fresh flowers, fruits, and sweets (especially coconut or jaggery-based sweets).
- Use turmeric, kumkum, and rice grains to make small offerings at the feet of the deities.
- Offer tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu and lotus flowers to Goddess Lakshmi.
Step 4: Lakshmi and Vishnu Mantras
Chant the following mantras while offering:
For Goddess Lakshmi:
"Om Shreem Maha Lakshmyai Namah"
(Chant this 108 times for prosperity and abundance.)For Lord Vishnu:
"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
(Chant this mantra 108 times for peace and blessings.)
Step 5: Aarti
Perform aarti by circling the lit camphor diya in front of the deities, while singing or playing the Lakshmi and Vishnu aarti songs. The ringing of bells during aarti is considered auspicious as it is believed to dispel negativity.
Step 6: Offering Prasad
- Offer prasad (holy food), such as kheer (sweet rice pudding), panchamrit (a mixture of milk, honey, curd, ghee, and sugar), and fruits. All food should be prepared in a clean and sattvic (pure) manner.
6. Prasad Recipes
Here are two simple prasad ideas for Akshaya Tritiya:
Kheer (Rice Pudding):
Ingredients: Rice, milk, sugar, cardamom, and almonds.
Boil the rice in milk and let it thicken. Add sugar, cardamom, and garnish with almonds.Panchamrit:
Ingredients: Milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar.
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Offer it as prasad and later distribute it to the family.
7. Mantras and Prayers
During the puja, focus on chanting or listening to Lakshmi Ashtakam or Vishnu Sahasranamam, two sacred texts associated with Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. These mantras and prayers will help invoke divine blessings for long-lasting prosperity.
Lakshmi Ashtakam
"Namastestu Mahamaye, Shree Peethe Sura Poojite, Shanka Chakra Gada Hasthe, Maha Lakshmi Namostute"Vishnu Sahasranama (Recite or listen): For invoking the protective grace of Lord Vishnu.
8. Conclusion of Puja
- Conclude the puja by offering coconut to the deities and distributing it among family members.
- Pray for peace, prosperity, and happiness in your life and the lives of your loved ones.
9. What to Do with the Puja Leftovers
Keeping the environment in mind, dispose of leftover puja items in an eco-friendly manner:
- Flowers: Compost the used flowers or immerse them in natural bodies of water like rivers or lakes (without using plastic bags). You can also bury them in your garden as a natural fertilizer.
- Diya remains (cotton wicks, ghee): Offer them to the earth by burying them in your garden.
- Incense ashes: These can also be used in the garden as a natural compost.
- Water from Kalash: Sprinkle it around your house or in your garden for purification.
10. Importance of Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya holds immense importance because it is a day when:
- Material and Spiritual Prosperity: The blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu ensure that wealth and happiness continue to grow.
- New Beginnings: Starting any new venture or investment, buying gold or property, or initiating any new project on this day is considered auspicious.
- Karma Yoga: Acts of charity and giving on this day are believed to bring immense blessings and long-lasting results.
11. Benefits of Akshaya Tritiya Puja
- Wealth and Prosperity: Praying to Goddess Lakshmi ensures financial stability and success in ventures.
- Good Health and Longevity: Worship of Lord Vishnu is associated with physical and mental well-being.
- Positive Energy: The rituals cleanse the mind and environment, inviting positive vibrations into the home.
- Spiritual Growth: Regular chanting and prayer lead to a deeper connection with the divine.
By observing the Akshaya Tritiya puja in an eco-friendly manner, we can celebrate this auspicious day in alignment with traditional values while also caring for our environment.