Akshay Tritiya or Akha Teez is celebrated on Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Vaishakh month. Akshay means “Which never ends” thus it is believed that whatever done on this auspicious day will give a never-ending result to the life of the devotee. It is believed that if a person on this day performs virtuous deeds and do donations he will be rewarded with auspicious results which will never end. Akshay Tritiya is the great religious festival of the people of Jainism.
Why Jain celebrates Akshay Tritiya?
Lord Rishabhdev (First Tirthankara of Jainism) is also known as Aadinath. He had knowledge of entire scriptures since his birth. Lord Rishabhanath was married to Two sisters Nanda and Sunanda of Kutch and Mahakutch. He reigned happily for thousands of years, then divided his kingdom among his 101 sons and renounced the fascination of the world, and becomes the Digambar ascetic. He did penance without food and water for six months to attain Keval Gyan. When it comes to taking Aahar no one knows the correct procedure of providing aahar to saints. People consider him as a king and used to give him gems, elephants, horses, clothes, and some even offer their daughters to please the king. But Rishabhdev did not want any of this he only thing he wants is Food (Aahar). Therefore, he again went for a year of penance and keep fast for a year. Then a year later during his austerity, he went to Hastinapur, where he met his grandson King Shreyansh, who recalls his past birth where Lord Rishabhdev taught him how to give aahar to saints. By following the same he presented him Sugarcane Juice. From that day till today, the Jain community keeps fast on this day and ends up their fast with Sugarcane Juice. This festival is also known as Paran.
Enforcement of donations in Jainism is believed to be from this date because before this no one knew the method of donation. Therefore, Jain devotees across the country celebrate this holy festival of Akshaya Tritiya with joy and devotion.