Akshay Tritya

Akshaya Tritiya is a day of utmost importance in vedic calendar. The word tritiya means third. This day falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (April-May),i.e. Vaishakh shukla tritiya. At this moment of time during the year, the sun and moon are very near to their maximum strength. The word, "Akshaya" means one that never diminishes. Hence, starting a new activity or buying valuables on this day is considered to certainly bring luck and success. All the charity and donations done on this day yield the punyas which never exhausts. If this date coincides with Rohini nakshatra then it is considered more auspicious. As per hindu mythology it is believe that on this day the “The satya yuga” began.Akshaya Tritiya is traditionally observed as the birthday of Lord Parusurama who was the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Lord Kubera, considered to be the lord of wealth, is one amongst the eight directional lord. Some classics says that Lord Kubera himself pray to Goddess Lakshmi on this day. According to the Vedas, it was on the day of Akshay Tritiiya that Veda Vyasa along with Lord Ganesha started writing the epic, Mahabharata. Vedas say that knowledge gained or charity done on this day is very fruitful.It was today when Lord Krishna proved his true friendship with Sudaama at Dwarka.As per another legend, Pandavas received the AkshayPaatra from Lord Krishna on this day. In eastern parts of india, on the day of the Akshay Tritiiya, "HalKhata" or ceremony to start the new audit book is performed - with the worship of Lord Ganesha & Godess Lakshmi. In another intresting legend this day is also most auspicious day for the farming community. It is known as "Akha Teej". Early morning, a male member of family goes to field. All the animals and birds encountered on the way to the field indicates omen. Then predictions are made for rains and crops on the basis of omen. For the believers in astrology this day is considered as “unboojha muhurat” which means that no need to check the auspiciousness of the day by performing complex astrological calculations.

Akshay Navami

In the Kaartik month,shukla Paksha and Ashtmi tithi is considere best for charity.Many legends are associated with this day. It is believe that on this day
1) Surya Dev(the Sun God) worshiped goddess Durga to acquire its properties because of which he is lighting the whole world.
2) Bharat met Lord Rama after 14 years.
3) It is considered auspicious to eat food under the Amla tree.this ritual is associated with good health.
4) Satya yug also began on this day.
5) The amla fruit is considered as divine fruit of Lord Vishnu.This is the ripening time of this fruit.
6) Amla tree is manifistation of goddess Lakshmi.

16 Shringaar

'Adornament' means something which add beauty. Indian classics depicts 16 steps of adornament for a married woman. This ritual is generally performed on the wedding day or some festival ,but it is very significant as married woman is a representative of goddess Lakshmi for her husband who in turn is a symbolic representative of Lord Vishnu. The following 16 ornaments are used
1) Bindi
2) Sindoor
3) Teeka
4) Kajal
5) Nose Ring
6) Necklace
7) Earings
8) Mehndi
9) Bangles
10) Armlets
11) Ring
12) Choti
13) Kamarband(waistband)
14) Payal/Toe ring
15) Itra
16) Red Saree

The Wealth of Goddess Lakshmi

The goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as deity of wealth and fortune. Here the word wealth does not represent only money. For a sick man the wealth is his health.Simliarly for a dying man the wealth is his life. The word wealth changes its meaning regarding the context. She is the possessor of 16 types of wealth as follows
1) Money
2) Intelligence
3) Health
4) Children
5) Grains
6) Beauty
7) Knowledge
8) Courage
9) Happiness
10) Long life
12) Fame
13) Spiritual Joy
14) patience
15) Victory
16) Strength

This is the reason why goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as 8 forms called Ashta Lakshmi to get all the above 16  wealth by HER.

Ashta Lakshmi

There are 8 roops of godess lakshmi as per hindu mythology. Each form is ruler deity of different form of wealth. They are as follows
1) Adi Lakshmi: This depict the form of Lakshmi that resides with Lord Vishnu in the Vaikuntha
2)Dhanya Lakshmi: The word “Dhanya” means grains. Food is prime importance for each individual.This form of lakshmi bless good food for good health.
3)Dhairya Lakshmi: This form of mother Lakshmi grants the boon of courage and strength.
4)Gaja Lakshmi: During the churning of ocean, this form of godess lakshmi emerges. She came out of the ocean sitting on a full-bloomed lotus and also having lotus flowers in both hands with two elephants by her sides, holding a beautiful vessels filled with milk and pouring it over godess Lakshmi.
5) Santan Lakshmi: In the family life, the children are the greatest asset. Those who worship this particular form of Sri Lakshmi are bestowed with the grace of mother Lakshmi and have wealth in the form of desirable children with good health & long life.
6)Vijay Lakshmi: “Vijay” means victory. Vijay is to get success in all undertakings and all different facets of life.
7)Dhana Lakshmi: “Dhana” means wealth. This form of lakshmi rules all the wealth and riches
8)Vidya Lakshmi: “Vidya” means education. To achieve the ultimate goal of life the inner knowledge is important . It is vidya lakshmi that grant all the knowledge.
So, Ashtalakshmi strota is recited to worship the 8 forms of godess Lakshmi.

Birth of Goddess Lakshmi

Sage Bhrigu was married to Khyaati who had two two sons Dhata and Vidhaata and a daughter Lakshmi. Lakshmi then married Lord Vishnu. This was the first appearance of goddess lakshmi. In her second appearance she appeared as the daughter of ocean. Once sage Durvaasa was wandering on the earth. He saw a beautiful girl with a garland. She presented the garland respectfully to the sage. Right at that moment, he saw Indra riding on Airaavat, the elephant. Instinctively, sage Durvaasa put that garland around the neck of Indra but Indra removed it and put it on Airaavat’s head. Airaavat pulled the garland with his trunk and smashed it on the ground. This whole sequence of events frustrated Durvaasa who cursed Indra that he will loose all his wealth. As a result Indra lost his wealth with a passage of time. Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi too didn’t stayed there. She made her abode in the abysmal depth of the sea. Very soon, the demons launched an attack on the gods and drove them out of heaven. Indra along with other gods approached Lord Vishnu. Pleased by their prayers, Lord Vishnu appeared before them and said-the only way to took out the lakshmi from the sea is to perform the churning of ocean with the help of demons. Following the advice of Lord Vishnu, the gods reconciled with the demons and convinced them to carry out the churning of the sea. Then they began the churning using Mandaraachal Mountain. As soon as the churning began, Mandaraachal began to sink. Lord Vishnu took incarnation of Kachchhap (the great tortoise) and bore the weight of the mighty mountain on His back. During the churning, Kamadhenu, the wishful cow was the first to emerge. It was presented to the sages as an aid for their Yagyas. It was followed by the Vaaruni devi, Kalpavriksha (the wishful tree) after which, beautiful apsaras appeared. The Moon followed the apsaras and was taken up by Shiva on His forehead. During the churning, huge quantity of poison had also emerged. It was drunk by Lord Shiva and some parts of it were taken up by the serpents. In the end, Dhanvantari himself emerged from the sea carrying the urn of ambrosia. It was during the churning itself that Lakshmi appeared once again from the sea holding lotuses in her hands. All the sages prayed her. Then taking bath with divine water, goddess Lakshmi took her seat in the heart of Lord Vishnu. When the demons saw that Lakshmi had chosen Lord Vishnu’s heart as her abode, they got perplexed. They at once snatched the urn from Dhanvantari and ran away. Then a row broke out among them over the drinking of ambrosia. Each of the demons wanted to drink ambrosia in maximum quantity. Meanwhile, Lord Vishnu also arrived there in the guise of an extremely pretty woman Mohini and took possession of the urn. Mohini had pleased the demons with her sweet smile while distributing ambrosia among the gods.Thus, the gods came to drink ambrosia. When at last, the demons realised that they had been cheated they immediately attacked the gods. But since the gods had regained their strength, they soon defeated the demons without much ado. Afterwards, the gods prayed Lord Vishnu and returned to heaven to rule it. Indra regain all his wealth. He prayed goddess Lakshmi with devotion and respect. Thus, Lakshmi had appeared as the daughter of Bhrigu and his wife Khyaati. Then second time, she emerged from beneath the sea during its churning. It is believe that one who read this story with devotion will never be deprive of wealth in his life.