Odisha Marks Akshaya Tritiya with Farming Rituals and Chariot Construction

Bhubaneswar: People across Odisha celebrated the auspicious agrarian festival of Akshaya Tritiya on Monday, marking the ceremonial beginning of the farming season. Farmers observed the age-old ritual of ‘Akhi Muthi Anukula’, where they symbolically sow seeds in their fields after ploughing, invoking blessings for a prosperous harvest.

Dressed in traditional attire, farmers carried baskets of seeds to their farmlands, offering them to Goddess Lakshmi before initiating agricultural activities. The ritual signifies hope, abundance, and a fresh start for cultivators across the state.

The day also coincides with the commencement of Chandan Yatra, a significant temple ritual where deities are taken out in ceremonial processions. In Puri, the occasion holds added significance as it marks the beginning of chariot construction for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.

Regarded as one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar, Akshaya Tritiya is considered ideal for starting new ventures—be it marriages, property transactions, or financial investments. Devotees believe that any good deed or initiative taken on this day will yield everlasting benefits.

The day is also observed for its religious relevance, believed to be the birth anniversary of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Mythologically, it is also the day when Ved Vyasa and Lord Ganesha began scripting the Mahabharata, adding to the day’s spiritual significance.

Festivities across Odisha reflected a blend of faith, tradition, and community spirit, ushering in hopes of prosperity and renewal.