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.

Pride of Kuber

 Lord Shiva once saved the life of Kuber and impresses with his devotion grant him infinite wealth. He got the title of ‘Lord of Wealth’. As the time passed, the feeling of ego started to develop. He made his abode , Alkapuri, one of the best dwelling place in 3 lokas. To show his wealth , once he visited mount Kailash to invite Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati  to visit his abode. Lord judged his ego and instead he sent his son, Lord Ganesha to his house. At Alkapuri, huge preparations were made to impress Lord Ganesha. Uncountable food items were offered to Lord Ganesha. Kuber was sure that this was too much for Lord Ganesha to eat. But something miraculous happened. With every round of offerings, the apetite of Ganesha became more . At one stage every grain of his city was finished to satisfy Lord Ganesha , but still he was too hungry. This was the most embarrassing moment for Kuber. He went to mount Kailash and  begged for forgiveness as all his pride and ego was vanished.Lord Shiva gave him the handful of rice to be offered to Lord Ganesha. Kuber immediately rushed to Alkapuri and offered the same handful of rice. Lord Ganesha accept the divine offering sent by Lord Shiva and instantly his hunger was satisfied.

Sankata Chaturthi

 In the month of Magh as per lunar calendar, the 4th tithi(date) of the dark half(Krishna paksha) is celebrated as “Sankata Chauth”. The ruler deity of the chaturthi(fourth) date is Lord Ganesha. So, Sankata Chauth festival is very auspicious to worship Lord Ganesha. This fast is for removal of obstacles in the life. Its importance was told by Lord Krishna to Yudhisthir.

Procedure

1)Wake up before sunrise and after bathing “sankalp” has to be done in front of Lord Ganesha’s idol.

2) Observe nirjala fast(without water) from the sunrise till the appearance of moon in the evening,  , If the health doesnot permit then fruits and milk can be consumed. But no cereals has to be taken.

3)  Pooja of Lord Ganesha has to be performed by offering 21 Durvas(a kind of grass).

4) As a prasadam, Laddu has to be offered.

5) Offer water to the moon(argya) 3 times.If moon is not visible then its image can be drawn on the outer wall.

On this day Lord Ganesha blessed planet Mars(mangal). So if the horoscope has some malefic influence of Mars called Mangal dosham, then this day is the best day in a year to get rid of that ill effect by worshiping Lord Ganesha

  

Ashta-Vinayaka

In Maharashtra state there is a pilgrimage known as “Ashta-Vinayaka” which is considered as very sacred. It is believe that a person who undertake this journey get librated from the problems related to materialistic world.The word “Ashta” means "eight" and the word “ Vinayaka” is another name of lord Ganesh. This spiritual journey involves the journey to 8 temples of lord Ganesha that are spread around the radius of 120 km around Pune. The importance of these temples confirms from the fact that the idols of the Lord Ganesha are not man made.The idols are “Swayambhu” which means they appear on its own(self-begotten).All the idols appeared at different period of time. It is very auspicious to perform the yaatra in a specific order in accordance with the chronological order of appearance of idols.It is believe that after completion of the journey of 8 temples , one must visit the first temple of Moreshwar(the starting point) again which signifies the completion of journey.
Following is the order in which the journey should be performed.
1. The Moreshwar Temple, Moregaon
2. The Siddhivinayaka Temple, Siddhatek
3. The Balleshwar Temple, Pali
4. The Varadavinayaka Temple, Maha
5. The Chintamani Temple, Theur
6. The Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyandri
7. The Vighnahar Temple, Ozar
8. The Mahaganpati Temple, Rajnangaon