Rituals in some parts of the country
Orissa
The construction of chariots for the famous Rath Yatra of the Jagannatha Temple of Puri, in Orissa, is started on this day of new beginnings. Jagannatha is worshipped by Hindus all over the world and the Jagannatha Temple in Puri is regarded as one of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrimage places in the world.
It is also the first day of the Chandan Mahotsav, the forerunner to the Jagannath festival. This festival is marked by various preparatory rituals for the huge Jagannatha festival attended by
people from all over the world.
Farmers in Orissa also start ploughing land on this day.
Bengal
In Bengal, a ceremony to start new audit books – Hal Khata – is performed on Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej) that includes worship of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of obstacle-removal and Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Apart from the Hal Khata, many other rites and rituals are performed by Bengalis on this day.
Rajasthan
To the Jat farming community of Rajasthan, this day is a very important day of the year. Early in the morning, a male member of every Jat family goes to the field with a shovel. All the animals and birds that he sees on the way to the fields are considered as omens of some sort or the other.
Akshay Tritiya is also an occasion for weddings here including community weddings where a large number of weddings take place simultaneously in the same venue.
The construction of chariots for the famous Rath Yatra of the Jagannatha Temple of Puri, in Orissa, is started on this day of new beginnings. Jagannatha is worshipped by Hindus all over the world and the Jagannatha Temple in Puri is regarded as one of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrimage places in the world.
It is also the first day of the Chandan Mahotsav, the forerunner to the Jagannath festival. This festival is marked by various preparatory rituals for the huge Jagannatha festival attended by
people from all over the world.
Farmers in Orissa also start ploughing land on this day.
Bengal
In Bengal, a ceremony to start new audit books – Hal Khata – is performed on Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej) that includes worship of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of obstacle-removal and Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Apart from the Hal Khata, many other rites and rituals are performed by Bengalis on this day.
Rajasthan
To the Jat farming community of Rajasthan, this day is a very important day of the year. Early in the morning, a male member of every Jat family goes to the field with a shovel. All the animals and birds that he sees on the way to the fields are considered as omens of some sort or the other.
Akshay Tritiya is also an occasion for weddings here including community weddings where a large number of weddings take place simultaneously in the same venue.
