Akshaya Tritiya remains a low-key affair in Patna

Faryal Rumi | TNN | Updated: Apr 27, 2020, 10:43 IST

Devotees outside Rani Ghat on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya in Patna

PATNA: Akshaya Tritiya was celebrated on Sunday without much fanfare as people remained indoors due to nationwide lockdown amid Covid-19 pandemic. Devotees offered prayers, observed fast and did some charity work at their homes on the pious occasion.
The devotees usually buy gold and silver ornament, coins or small statues of gods and goddesses and utensils on this occasion. It is believed that the donations and charities made on this day remain imperishable. But this time they could not buy gold or precious items because the jewellery shops remained closed amid the lockdown.
Reena Sinha of Boring Canal Road said she prayed to Lord Vishnu and recited Ganesha mantra at 11am. “After the prayer, we broke our fast. This time, we did not offer flowers to the Lord and kept the celebration a low-key affair. We provided food and helped the needy people as charity,” she said.
Mohini Jayswal of Lohanipur said, “It is a tradition in my family to buy gold or something valuable on this day. But due to lockdown, all the jewellery shops remain closed. So, we have booked a gold chain through an online portal. We offered prayers, observed daylong fast and donated foodgrain to the underprivileged.”
City-based priest Gyan Prakash Pandey said Akshaya Tritiya holds great prominence in the Hindu culture. “It is a very significant day for married and unmarried women as it is believed that praying to the almighty on this day can bring good luck to their husbands and even to their would-be husbands. After performing rituals at the temple, they distribute “daan dakshina” to the priests. The day is also considered to be auspicious for making big investments in gold or property,” he said.
Further deliberating about the importance of ‘Vaishakh Arghya’, he said it is the fifth and last ‘arghya’. “People observe fast and offer water and fruits to the Sun God. Praying to the Lord can bring good luck and fortune,” he said.