Latest news with #Vaishakh
India Gazette
12-05-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Devotees take holy dip at Sangam on auspicious Vaishakh Purnima
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 12 (ANI): On Vaishakh Purnima 2025, devotees took a holy dip and offered prayers at Prayagraj's Sangam. In Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh, people also bathed in the Ganga River to celebrate the occasion. 'I've come here from Lucknow for the Ganga snan. I make sure to take a holy dip in the Ganga every Vaishakh Purnima. After the snan, I did whatever charity I could at my end,' said Karunesh Pandey, one of the devotees at Prayagraj. 'Since today is Vaishakh Purnima, we have come to Prayagraj to take a sacred dip in the holy waters,' said a woman devotee. 'I am in Prayagraj today, and I believe that taking a dip in the holy Sangam brings blessings, fulfilling all your wishes, especially on Kartik Purnima. This is a land where good people come to do charity. My family and I took a dip, did charity, and received blessings from the panditji. We also performed a pooja. I feel so blessed and happy that I came here today,' said Poonam Goswami, a woman devotee from Uttar Pradesh. 'Yes, today I came to Sangam, and since today is Purnima, we came here to take a dip to mark the occasion. Now, I will be heading to the Hanuman Mandir,' stated Jaswani Singh, a male devotee at Sangam. 'Today is a very special day--the last day of Vaishakh. Taking a dip in the Ganga today is believed to give the full benefit of bathing the whole month. Even a small donation made today brings blessings. It feels good to do something with faith,' said Gopal, who took a holy dip at the Sangam. Devotees believe that this sacred bath ensures peace in their lives and brings continued blessings from God. The significance of bathing in the Ganges on Vaishakh Purnima has attracted thousands of people to Prayagraj and Haridwar, where they also participate in charitable acts, pujas, and other rituals. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Vaishakh Purnima: Devotees take holy dip at Prayagraj's Sangam
Prayagraj: On Vaishakh Purnima 2025, devotees took a holy dip and offered prayers at Prayagraj's Sangam. In Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh, people also bathed in the Ganga River to celebrate the occasion. "I've come here from Lucknow for the Ganga snan. I make sure to take a holy dip in the Ganga every Vaishakh Purnima. After the snan, I did whatever charity I could at my end," said Karunesh Pandey, one of the devotees at Prayagraj. "Since today is Vaishakh Purnima, we have come to Prayagraj to take a sacred dip in the holy waters," said a woman devotee. "I am in Prayagraj today, and I believe that taking a dip in the holy Sangam brings blessings, fulfilling all your wishes, especially on Kartik Purnima. This is a land where good people come to do charity. My family and I took a dip, did charity, and received blessings from the panditji. We also performed a pooja. I feel so blessed and happy that I came here today," said Poonam Goswami, a woman devotee from Uttar Pradesh. "Yes, today I came to Sangam, and since today is Purnima, we came here to take a dip to mark the occasion. Now, I will be heading to the Hanuman Mandir," stated Jaswani Singh, a male devotee at Sangam. "Today is a very special day--the last day of Vaishakh. Taking a dip in the Ganga today is believed to give the full benefit of bathing the whole month. Even a small donation made today brings blessings. It feels good to do something with faith," said Gopal, who took a holy dip at the Sangam. Devotees believe that this sacred bath ensures peace in their lives and brings continued blessings from God. The significance of bathing in the Ganges on Vaishakh Purnima has attracted thousands of people to Prayagraj and Haridwar, where they also participate in charitable acts, pujas, and other rituals.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Akshaya Tritiya: Festival of gold and grace
There's a certain charm to Akshaya Tritiya — an age-old festival that still feels fresh every year. Celebrated on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh (Vaishakha), it is believed that anything that begins this day — buying gold, silver, tulsi , earthen pots, rock salt, a new home or anything new — brings endless prosperity. After all, akshaya means 'never diminishing' — it's a day believed to bring lasting good fortune and spiritual strength. It's more than a ritual; it's a hopeful start, rooted in faith, where every small act carries lasting promise. And so, though there has been a drastic reduction in buying recently due to the rise in prices, people bought gold to celebrate Akshaya Tritiya. Turlapati Padmaja, the owner of Padmaja Jewellery Designer, said that people buy gold and silver on Akshaya Tritiya because it is considered an extremely auspicious day in Hindu culture. 'Buying precious metals like gold and silver on this day is seen as a way to invite unending wealth and good fortune. It's also a favoured time for new beginnings — be it ventures, weddings, or property purchases,' she shared. In terms of design trends, Padmaja revealed that people today prefer minimalist, lightweight gold jewellery with floral or geometric motifs, while temple jewellery remains a timeless classic. 'Silver items like puja articles, idols of deities, and embossed coins featuring Lakshmi or Ganesha are also popular choices, blending tradition with spiritual intent,' she added. S Srikanth, showroom manager at Lalitha Jewellery Store, Dilsukhnagar, explained that this year, there has been a growing preference among customers for antique jewellery. 'I've also noticed that many customers are increasingly drawn to lightweight jewellery, likely because of its attractive appearance. In response to customer preferences, we've designed jewellery that is both premium and unique. Additionally, we have some customised craftsmanship pieces available to mark the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya,' he said. When it comes to traditional jewellery, Srikanth said they offer pieces from Andhra and Telangana, such as Bottu Mala and Kasulaperlu , all of which feature a unique oxidised finish. 'The intricate detailing of each piece is clearly visible. Despite the high gold prices, customers continue to invest in these pieces, seeing them as valuable assets for the future,' he said. For buyers in Hyderabad, Akshaya Tritiya is an extremely important occasion. Shivani Debbadi, a housewife, noted, 'My family celebrates it like a mini-Deepavali. We do a puja as well, and apart from the delicious food and sweets, we keep some gold or gold jewellery. Because we knew that high demand would make prices skyrocket as the festival neared, we bought 10 grams of gold jewellery — a pair of earrings and locket two months ago. At that time, one gram cost around ₹9,600. Just two days ago, when we checked, it had increased to ₹9,860. Buying gold requires a lot of thought.' Nikitha Karan, the founder of Jewellery by Nikitha, said that Akshaya Tritiya is not just a tradition. 'There's a deep emotional connection tied to this day. People seek out pieces that are both timeless and meaningful. At Jewellery by Nikitha, we've noticed a growing preference for versatile designs — such as temple motifs with a modern twist, antique finishes, and pieces that can be layered or styled in various ways for different occasions,' she added, pointing out that heirloom-inspired jewellery is also trending, as many people want to pass down something with both value and a story. Nikitha shared, 'This Akshaya Tritiya, clients are choosing jewellery that feels personal, can be worn daily, and aligns with their beliefs and aesthetic. It's less about purchasing items for the vault and more about incorporating them into everyday life.'
Time of India
30-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Crowded temples, bustling mkts mark Akshay Tritiya in Varanasi
Varanasi: The holy city of Varanasi witnessed grand celebrations Akshay Tritiya on Wednesday, with rituals marking the beginning of the day at Kashi Vishwanath Dham . Devotees thronged the temple from the early hours to participate in the sacred rituals. The day began with Mangala Aarti and the ceremonial Jalabhishek of Lord Vishwanath with water from Chakrapushkarni (Manikarnika) Kund, carried in 11 urns. As part of the tradition, the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust installed a special 'Kunwara' (shower) above the Shivling for continuous Jalabhishek, symbolising coolness, purity, and devotion. This practice, which begins on Akshay Tritiya, will continue till the holy month of Shravan. Priests and temple authorities explained the significance of the day, stating that Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of the month of Vaishakh, when both the sun and moon are in their exalted positions—a rare astrological alignment believed to bring eternal prosperity. The word 'Akshay' itself means 'which does not diminish'. Besides, the idol of Lord Vishnu in the form of Badrinarayan was adorned in an elaborate and divine manner, attracting large numbers of devotees throughout the day. Other prominent temples across the city, as well as the Vindhyachal Temple in Mirzapur, also saw a significant influx of pilgrims, all seeking divine blessings on the auspicious day. Meanwhile, markets in the city were bustling, particularly jewellery shops, as buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya is considered highly auspicious. Shopkeepers reported brisk business, with buyers crowding stores throughout the day.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Parshuram Jayanti 2025: Date, timings, origin, significance — all you need to know
Parshuram Jayanti 2025: The birth anniversary of Parshurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu, is known as Parashuram Jayanti. It is celebrated with reverence among Hindus, and according to religious beliefs, he is considered immortal. It is believed that he is still on earth today. According to Drik Panchang, Lord Parshuram was born on the third day of the Vaishakh month, during the Pradosh Kaal, to Mother Renuka and Sage Jamadagni. This year, Parshuram Jayanti will be observed on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Theand ends on April 30, 2025, at 02:12 PM; with the festival of Akhatrij or Akshaya Tritiya, falling on the next day, i.e., Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The reason Lord Vishnu incarnated as Parshuram was to alleviate the world's burdens by vanquishing corrupt and oppressive rulers. These kings misused their power and neglected their responsibilities, leading to the exploitation of the environment and their subjects. Although Pashuram is not as widely worshipped as Shri Rama or Shri Krishna, South India features a notable temple dedicated to him in Pajaka near Udupi, along with many other temples scattered across the western coast of India. Furthermore, the Kalki Purana prophesies that Parshuram will serve as the mentor who will teach Lord Vishnu's tenth and final incarnation, Shri Kalki, the art of warfare.
