Celebrate this Akshaya Tritiya, by feeding meals with Akshaya Patra

 Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, is revered as a sacred day by Hindus and Jains. Akshaya Tritiya takes place on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the lunar month of Vaishakh. People use this auspicious day to start new businesses, jobs or charitable endeavours. They also pay respect to their departed parents and ancestors. Since it is considered to be the most auspicious day as per the Hindu calendar, all the activities undertaken on this day bring desired results.

It is considered auspicious to purchase gold and silver on this day. By investing in gold and silver, one is thought to receive the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, who represents wealth and success. The logic behind this long-standing custom is that buying gold is always profitable and it will always have a good resale value.

Hindu texts state that this day has a lot of significance. On this day, Lord Parashuram, Lord Vishnu's sixth avatar, is said to have manifested. In addition, it is also stated that the Holy Ganga arrived on Earth on Akshaya Tritiya to grant King Bhagiratha's afflicted forefathers’ nirvana.

This day also heralds the start of Treta-yuga, the second of the Yuga Cycle's four yugas. It's also believed that Sudama paid Lord Krishna a visit at Dwarka on Akshaya Tritiya. Adi Sankaracharya wrote the Kanakadhara Stotram and Vyasadeva began work on the Mahabharata on this auspicious day. In addition, Lord Kubera is also said to have received his role as the wealth custodian on Akshaya Tritiya.

Akshaya signifies limitless or never ending in Sanskrit. According to a legend, on this day, the Sun God gave the Pandavas the Akshaya Patra, an endless store of food that they would never run out of. The story has immense significance in the context of our 22-year journey which we started to provide children unlimited food for education. 

Celebrate Akshaya Tritiya this April 22, 2023, with The Akshaya Patra Foundation, which offers children in government schools the "Akshaya Patra" of limitless food for education.

Akshaya Tritiya – An Auspicious Day for Charity

As per Vedic texts, in the past, the kings and wealthy members of society would conduct sacrifices (yajna) and give away their wealth. This engagement in charitable endeavours was either out of compassion for others or for their own spiritual development.

In the Bhagavad Gita, it is advised to perform charity and support a deserving individual at an appropriate moment and place, without expecting anything in return. It is also said that one should never stop engaging in yajna, dana, tapah and karma(prescribed duties of performing sacrifice, charity and austerity).

One of the best ways to do charity is by doing Annadanam which is considered the highest form of giving. The Sanskrit word Annadanam means the act of offering or sharing (danam) of food (annam). This has always been a component of Indian spiritual tradition and culture. 

Feed with Akshaya Patra this Akshaya Tritiya

As Akshaya Tritiya is considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar to do an act of charity, a contribution for school meals of children from challenging socio-economic backgrounds can significantly transform their lives. The provision of freshly cooked, hot, healthy and locally palatable school meals by Akshaya Patra is a potential intervention in ensuring the health and education of children. 

How donating to Akshaya Patra makes an impact

• It opens the gates of school for children
• It boosts their health with adequate nutrition
• It supports regular schooling and improves academic performance
• It ensures the completion of education by boosting retention
• It encourages them to pursue their dreams

This Akshaya Tritiya, you can feed the children by contributing to Akshaya Patra's PM POSHAN Programme. Donations to Akshaya Patra are tax exempted under Section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act. Upon successful transaction of your donation, you will instantly receive the donation receipt and tax exemption certificate for your donated amount in your inbox.

Contribute to the ‘Inexhaustible Vessel of Food’ this Akshaya Tritiya

 Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akti or Akha Teej, is a sacred day celebrated by Hindus and Jains across India. In Sanskrit, the word ‘Akshaya’ means never-ending while ‘Tritiya’ stands for the third lunar day of the Vaisakha month (April-May).

In Hinduism, this day marks many significant events.

• •         On this day, Sudama visited his childhood friend, Lord Krishna, after many years. Despite suffering from extreme poverty, Sudama offered the puffed rice packed by his wife to Lord Krishna with great affection, who then blessed him with endless happiness and prosperity.
• •         This is the day when Draupadi from the Mahabharata epic received the ‘Akshaya Patra’, the inexhaustible vessel of food.
• •         It also marks the birth of Devi Annapoorna, the Hindu goddess of food.

Thus, Akshaya Tritiya is considered to be a highly auspicious day for new beginnings. It is believed that any new venture started on this day will be blessed with good luck, success and prosperity. Hence, people buy gold, start new businesses, make investments and perform religious rituals on this day.

Many also choose to donate to charities on Akshaya Tritiya. It is not just a way of giving back to society but also a way of seeking the blessings of the divine. By helping those in need, people express gratitude for the health and wealth they enjoy. Donating also brings a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment, knowing that their contribution is making a positive impact on the lives of others. It is also widely believed that any act of charity done on this day will multiply manifold and bring everlasting peace and prosperity to the donor’s family.

For the recipients, donations can be as life-changing as the inexhaustible vessel of food. They provide essential resources such as meals, shelter, education or medical care to those in need. They can help them overcome financial challenges and offer a pathway to a better life.

Transform lives on Akshaya Tritiya

Much like the Akshaya Patra in the epic of Mahabharata, The Akshaya Patra Foundation strives to be an unlimited source of food for children from low-income backgrounds in India. But it would not be possible without the support from governments and donors worldwide.

Thus, Akshaya Patra works in partnership with the Government of India, individuals and other organisations to implement the government’s PM Poshan Abhiyaan [earlier called the Mid-Day Meal Programme (MDM)] across government and government-aided schools in the country.

Akshaya Patra began its operations in 2000 with just one kitchen in Bangalore that fed 1,500 children every day. Today, it has grown to serve food to over 2 million children across 15 states and 2 union territories in India every day under the PM Poshan Abhiyaan or the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Programme. By providing nutritious mid-day meals to school children, the NGO aims to eliminate classroom hunger and also incentivise them to attend classes regularly.

Contributing to Akshaya Patra on Akshaya Tritiya is a great way to impact the lives of children who need our support while living up to the spirit of the occasion. These donations help fund the operations of the NGO and expand its reach to more schools and children. Every donation, no matter how small, can make a difference and help them persevere towards their goals every day.

This Akshaya Tritiya, express gratitude for the blessings of health and prosperity in your life. Donate online to feed children from challenging socioeconomic backgrounds and contribute to a sustainable future for India.

Your support on this auspicious day will support children’s nourishment and education for one full academic year.