As per the Hindu calendar, the month of Baisakh has begun. Today is the day that marks the celebration of one of the most auspicious days, Akshay Tritiya. This day is an auspicious occasion for new beginnings as per the Hindu calendar.

In India, it is considered as the best time to begin a business. Indians calculate the placing of the planets, stars, time and figure out one auspicious hour during the day. There is a strong belief of buy gold in any form. This period is also considered favourable to get married. The word ‘Akshaya’ means eternal in Sanskrit and ‘Tritiya’ means ‘third’.

According to the reports, this was the day when Lord Parshuram was born and some also say that this was the day when Lord Ganesha started writing the Mahabharata which was being recited by Ved Vyas. While the others believe that Akshaya Tritiya is tied to the legend of the Akshaya Patra; Draupadi’s magical vessel which ensured that she and the Pandavas never went hungry.

Although Indian religion has various reasons behind the celebration of this auspicious day. People often associate Akshay Tritiya with the praying and worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu. It's also believed that God of wealth and the treasurer of all deities Kubera was granted the gift of wealth and prosperity on this day. The day begins with a puja for Goddess Lakshmi and Kubera. Apart from offering sweets to the deity, people also celebrate this festival by going to the temple and seeking blessings. 

People who went a 'little' overboard with their love for gold's believed that this year, the tithi begins at 3:45 AM and ends at 1:29 AM, the following day and the puja can be performed between  6:19 am to 12:34 pm on April 18. Apart from lighting incense sticks in your house, you can create a paste of Chandan, Kumkum, and haldi and put a tikka on the idol of the deity. You can further celebrate the festival by chanting mantras all day long and offering water, coconut, and bananas to the lord.