On Akshaya Tritiya, citizens throng jewellery stores in city

VISAKHAPATNAM: The city celebrated the auspicious occassion of ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ on Tuesday. While many thronged jewellery stores in the city to buy gold, many spent the day partaking in religious activities. Akshaya Tritiya, also known as ‘Akti’ or ‘Akha Teej’, is an annual spring festival which falls on the third day of the Hindu calendar’s Vaisakha month.More than 80 people from different Jain sects broke their year-long alternative day fasting (Varshi-tap) on the auspicious occasion in the presence of their spiritual leaders. As part of the celebrations, hundreds of people from the Jain community joined the procession organised by the Sree Visakha Jain Murthi Pujak Sangh on Monday. The procession went from the Jain temple to AMCOSA.A member of the Jain Murthi Pujak Sangh, Amar Jain said, “ This day is celebrated to commemorate Tirthankar Rishabdev’s ending of one-year fast. The ritual ending of the fast is called Parana.”Aruna Jain, a home maker, said, “Since the new wheat crop arrives during this time, most of the dishes are made out of wheat on this auspicious day. According to our belief, Akshaya means ‘whole’ or ‘unbroken’. The traditional food made by most Marwaris on Akshaya Tritiya is called ‘Kheech’ which is made of whole wheat after removing the husk.”Akshaya Tritiya was also celebrated by the Odia diaspora in the city in Utkal Sanskrutika, a socio-cultural organisation with religious fervour. The festival started with worshipping of the chariot which carries the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on Rath Yatra. According to Arun Das of Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj, “Farmers in Odisha sow seeds on this day after offering prayers to Lord Jagannath.”