Akshaya Tritya
TRADITIONAL CULTURE OF ODISHA, INDIA
Orissa
is a agricultural state in India which is located in east zone and attached to
the Bey of Bangal Sea. Most of them are Hindu and there are 13 festival in
twelve months. Akshaya Tritya is one of them. In the more for the farmer for
their job than religious festival. As per the Oriya calendar in Baishakh Masa
Shukla Paksha third day (basically in the month of April and May) is observed
or celebrated as Akshaya Tritya. Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most
vibrant Hindu festivals that is celebrated amongst the people of West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtraand
it is not only confined within India but also celebrated by Nepal. It is also
important annual spring festival for Hindu and Jains.
Important
of Akshaya Tritya in Orissa
Akshaya
Tritya is the one of the important festival for the people of Orissa for three
reasons 1- agricultural point of view, 2- religious point of view and 3-
Traditional point of view
AGRICULTURAL POINT OF VIEW
Orissa
is one of the State among the other who depend their livelihood on agriculture
and the maximum people are farmers. It is most important festival for the
farmers because on this day they start the cultivation. Akshaya Tritya is
exclusively an agricultural festival celebrate through out Odisha. As per the
tradition of Odia, the year has been started from the day of “PANA Sankaranti”
which is called “ Baishakha Masa”. And the agriculture has also been started from this auspicious
day.
Before
starting of cultivation, the farmer has worshiped the instruments of
cultivation such as sickle, rake, traditional plough and many more. On this auspicious
day the farmer ceremonially started sowing seeds in the fields specially paddy
(rice is the main source of livelihood). The cultivation has started of the
year from paddy. Early in the morning, the farmer in his house arrange the
materials or articles for the ritual or traditional worship and he goes with
priest to their paddy filed for worship the goddess.
In
the field the farmer through priest offer to Goddess Lakshmi ( Maa Lakshmi is
the goddess of wealth). Thereafter the farmer sow rice seeds ceremonially
praying the goddess for a rich harvest.
In western Orissa or Odisha this
festival is called in name of “MUTHI CHHUAN”. In this day, the farmer eat veg
food and some place garlic and Onion are forbidden. This festival is observed
by all farmers irrespective of their caste, creed and location.
RELIGIOUS POINT OF VIEW
LORD JAGANNATH TEMPLE
LORD JAGANNATH TEMPLE
Odisha
is famous for two temple one is sun temple of Konark and Lord Jagannath Temple
at Puri and whole world also known the culture of Lord Jagannath in name of
ISKON. ISKON foundation expands the culture of Lord and the whole world adopts
this culture.
This
day is very important from the Religious point of view. Rath Yatra is famous
Yatra and celebrates by the devotee of lords all over the world. Huge tree
trunks are used for making three Rath and the construction of three chariots
for RathYatrawould begin onthisAkshyayaTrutiya after worship by the priest of
the temple. Without this worship, the work cannot start. Chandana Yatra is know
as Gandgakeoana Yatra.
The idol of Lord Jagannath (Madanamohan), Bhudevi,
Sridevi, Ramakruchna and PanchuPandavas take part in Chandan Yatra and stat
chapakhela on this Akshaya Tritya. The Idols are taken with procession from
temple to Narendra Pokhari(this pond is 500 Mt distance from Temple) by the
priests. After completion of various rituals
Lords are placed on a decorated boat. The chapaKhela is conducted
between two boat i.e Nanda and Bbhadra. This festival going on from the day of
AkskayaTritya to 21 days which is considered as Bahara Chandana Yatra.
TRADITIONAL POINT OF VIEW
Akshaya Tritya is a highly auspicious day to
purchase the Gold and Silver. As per the myth of Hindu Culture, Gold and Silver
consider as Goddess for which buying Gold and Silver on this day, it is belived
that Goddess Laxmi will bless in shape of wealth and prosperity in coming
future. Only on Akshaya Tritya day the selling of Gold in Indian Market is
increased in highest level of a year.
CONCLUSION
Overall,
this festival is for all peoples irrespective of their cast, standard, race.
The farmer completes his worship and starts his work, at Purifestical going on
for 21 days and many devotees attend the festival, some people busy with buying
and selling of gold and silver ornaments. This day is auspicious day for all
people. The significant of the festival in comparison than other states is more
important for Odiya people. the people
who are residing outside of Odisha they may go the Jagannath Temple and worship
there.
This is one part of Jagannath Culture. The
importance of Jagannath Culture is more important for Oriya than other States.
Even the people of west Bengal are come to Puri to attend the festival. The world
know the State of Odisha or Orissa in name of Lord Jagannatha.
