Significance of Akshaya Tritiya .Gandha Lepana for Rayaru at Mantralaya
Muhurthas (auspicious moments) are of two types – panchanga siddha (those which are derived from almanacs), and svayam sidhha (those which are auspicious on their own). It is common practice before performing any auspicious event or function to consult the almanac to determine the right day, star and time for the function. The times determined in this manner are usually very potent. However this consideration does not apply to a set of 3.5 days because they are svayam siddha. These three and a half days are –
1) Yugadi (the first day in the New Year),
2) Vijaya dashami,
3) Akshaya tritiya
3.5) the first half of Bali Padya.
Our ancient saints have ruled that these days are universally sacred. On this day one can perform any auspicious function without consulting the almanac. Akshaya tritIya is the third day in the bright half of VaishAka. It is believed that auspicious events performed on this day yield eternal or infinite benefits (the word ‘akshaya’ means without decay or eternal). Akshaya Tritiya is even more auspicious as it falls on Rohini Nakshatra Rohini star day. As per the Hindu traditions and culture, this festival is considered as the most significant day to perform sacred deeds (Punya Karya).Donating sandalwood and applying sandalwood paste to icons of gods in VaishAka leads to immense benefits. This is particularly true in the case of Akshaya tritIya.
History of Akshaya Tritiya:
In the Puranas, the holy Hindu scriptures, there is a story where Lord Veda Vyasa once instructed Lord Ganesha to assist him composing the Mahabharata. Ganesha accepted this offer. It is said that it was the day of Akshya Tritiya, that Lord Vedavyasa along with Ganesha started writing the Mahabharata.
Also according to traditional history the day of Akshaya Tritiya is famous because of:-
This day was the start of Krita Yuga.
Akshaya Tritiya is the day of lord Vishnu incarnated as Parshurama.
The Holiest River Ganga descended on earth on this holy day!
Sudama a childhood friend of Lord Krishna was blessed on this day with prosperity.
The Aradhana of Sri Vidyadhiraja Teertharu will fall on this day
Akshaya Tritiya Celebration according to Madhwa Tradition:
Shloka extolling the greatness of Akshaya tritIya:
‘yah pashyati tRutIyAyAm krishNam chandanbhUshitam |
vaishAkhasya site pakshE sa yatyachyutamandiram ||
“One viewing an icon of the Lord adorned with sandalwood paste on the third day in the bright half of VaishAka attains the abode of LordAchyuta”. As followers of Acharya Madhva, adhering to the doctrine of tAratamya (hierarchy of gods) it is very appropriate and fitting that we observe this day by worshipping the Lord within BhAratiramaNa mukhyaprAna who is enshrined within Sri Raghavendra tIrtha (Rayaru). It is very common on Akshaya tritIya for devout mAdhvas to decorate the brindAvanas of Madhva ascetics like Rayaru with sandalwood paste and offer worship to Vayudevaru (BhAratiramaNa mukhyaprAna) and various forms of the Lord like Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, VedavyAsa etc. This is one of the easiest and best ways of attaining puNya (merit).
how to perform akshaya tritiya puja at home
Devotees, including women, offered puja and prayers at various temples to mark the occasion and celebrated with traditional religious fervour across the city. People Buy gold and silver jewelry, takes holy bath and dip in rivers, organize Ganesha and Lakshmi pooja, worship to Lord Vishnu specially on this day to get the blessing to get better health and wealth.
Observance of Akshaya tritIya (Gandha Lepana) in Mantralaya:
Almost a month before the onset of Akshaya tritIya, ardent devotees start grinding sandalwood (to obtain the paste) with utmost sanctity and purity, in the manner prescribed in the shastras. This paste is collected in a separate, holy place in separate and sanctified vessels. On Akshaya tritIya this paste is mixed with Pachcha karpUra (a form of camphor) and other ingredients used during pooja. This is then applied to Rayaru’s brindAvana after panchAmruta abhisheka. Later the brindAvana is adorned with flowers, tulasi and other decorative ornaments. The beautifully bedecked brindAvana is a real feast for the eyes and people who cannot (and do not want to) view this magnificent spectacle are indeed most unfortunate. Scholars of the matha and other devotees chant Sri Raghavendra stotra, Sri HarivAyustuti and other holy stotras. It is a tradition in the matha to conduct is courses on Sri Srinivasa Mahatmya purANa for a period of seven days after this.
A little extra information
Akshaya Tritiya is called Akha Teej in North India
The brave king Shivaji was born on this day
Social reformer Sri Basaveshwara was born on this day.
http://www.raghavendramutt.org/articles/significance-akshaya-tritiya
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Significance of akshaya tritiya