Akshaya Tritiya Is Not for Buying Gold – Don’t Fall for the Hype!

Akshaya Tritiya is not just for buying gold! Know the real story behind this day and how ads turned it into a gold shopping festival.

In the Indian calendar of festivals, Akshaya Tritiya holds a special place. Every year, this spring-time festival, usually falling in April or May, is celebrated with great faith. The word Akshaya means “never diminishing,” and Tritiya denotes the third day of the lunar fortnight — making it a day believed to usher in unending prosperity, success, and good fortune.

Traditionally, it’s a day rooted in mythology, history, and spirituality. But in today’s world of commercialization and consumeristic world Akshaya Tritiya is more known for queues outside jewelry shops than for spiritual reflection. What was once a symbol of divine abundance is now largely driven by advertisements forcing you to “buy gold for prosperity.”

In this post, let’s explore the origin, transformation, and the commercialization of Akshaya Tritiya — and whether we’ve lost something valuable in this glittering rush or commercialization.

Akshaya Tritiya Is Not for Buying Gold – Don’t Fall for the Hype!

The Origin – Why is Akshaya Tritiya Celebrated?

The cultural and religious significance of Akshaya Tritiya is profound and has a different colour.

1. Birth of Lord Parashurama

Hindus believe that Lord Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, was born on this day. A warrior sage, Parashurama stood as a symbol of discipline, justice, and devotion to dharma.

2. Krishna and Sudama

The story of Krishna and Sudama — where Sudama, despite his poverty, offered a humble gift of beaten rice (poha) to Lord Krishna — is an enduring lesson in humility and grace. On Akshaya Tritiya, Krishna accepted this gift with immense love, blessing Sudama with untold wealth. This legend reinforces the idea that intent matters more than the offering itself.

3. Draupadi’s Akshaya Patra

During the exile of the Pandavas, Draupadi was gifted the Akshaya Patra, a magical vessel that would never run out of food. It ensured they were never hungry, symbolizing that divine help comes when you live righteously.

4. Descent of River Ganga

Another legend says that Ganga descended to earth on this day to purify humanity. Even today, many believe that taking a dip in the Ganges on Akshaya Tritiya absolves sins.

In Jainism, it is the day when Rishabhadeva, the first Tirthankara, broke his year-long fast with sugarcane juice, making it a sacred day of renunciation and spiritual upliftment.

So if you notice clearly, none of these stories involve gold. Instead, they emphasize selflessness, spiritual wealth, and divine grace.

The Shift – When Did Gold Enter the Picture?

In ancient times, people may have initiated new ventures, bought land or cattle, or donated to the poor on this day. The belief was simple — anything started on Akshaya Tritiya would grow without end. This included knowledge, relationships, charity, and yes — even wealth.

However, the association of buying gold specifically as a ritual for Akshaya Tritiya is relatively modern.

So what changed?

• In the early 2000s, organized jewelry retail began tapping into the cultural sentiment around the day.
• Brands started running campaigns associating gold buying with ‘eternal prosperity’.
• Gradually, Akshaya Tritiya was marketed as an auspicious day for “buying” rather than “starting”.
• Print, TV, and digital media amplified this narrative. Religious undertones were wrapped neatly around EMI schemes and “no making charge” offers.
• Even banks joined in, promoting digital gold, SGBs, and gold ETFs around the festival.

Over time, this created a collective social psychology where not buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya started to feel like missing out on a cosmic opportunity for wealth.

Is Gold Buying Really “Akshaya”?

Let’s pause for a moment.

If we buy gold every Akshaya Tritiya, are we truly experiencing “Akshaya” (non-diminishing) prosperity?

Here are a few truths worth reflecting on:

• Gold is an asset, not a ritual. While it can preserve wealth, it doesn’t multiply it unless done wisely — like through Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) or gold ETFs rather than jewelry.
• Prosperity is more than material wealth. The original essence of Akshaya Tritiya was about intentional beginnings — starting education, investing in relationships, or giving in charity.
• Marketers sell emotion, not tradition. Much of what we believe today about “buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya” was built through slick messaging — not mythology.
• Gold is not a single asset class on this earth – In ancient times, gold and real estate were the only asset to invest. However, nowadays you have various options to invest and, in fact, create more wealth than gold. Then why stick to gold only?? Refer to my earlier posts on Gold, before blindly investing in Gold (Articles on Gold).

Ironically, what was once a day of giving (like Sudama’s humble offering) has become a day of acquiring and gimmick.

A More Meaningful Akshaya Tritiya

If we want to reclaim the original spirit of this auspicious day, here are some thoughtful ways to do so:

1. Start your investments as soon as possible

Begin or increase your investments. Let your investments grow in a truly “Akshaya” way — slowly, steadily, and wisely.

2. Donate generously

Support a cause, sponsor a child’s education, or feed the poor. Remember, Sudama’s poha became gold — not the other way around.

3. Spend time with family

Initiate something new in your relationships — a commitment to regular family time, or perhaps start a gratitude journal.

4. Teach financial literacy

If you’re financially aware, mentor someone who isn’t. Financial knowledge passed on is truly Akshaya.

5. Reflect on your own ‘Akshaya’ goals

What is one habit, skill, or action you can start today that will compound over the years? Begin that.

Conclusion

Akshaya Tritiya is a reminder that abundance is not always shiny, nor always bought. It is cultivated through generosity, effort, and intention. While there’s nothing wrong with buying gold, doing so blindly in the name of tradition may rob the day of its deeper value. BEWARE…THERE IS NO SPECIAL DAY TO START ANYTHING GOOD IN YOUR LIFE. START TODAY…INVEST WISELY…NEVER BE IN A TRAP OF COMMERCIALIZATION.