Akshayapureeshwarar Temple

. The meaning of Akshaya is Never Diminishing and Tritiya means the Third day. Hence the day falls on the third Lunar day in the month of April/May. It is a belief that karmas done on the day are never-ending and provide long-term effects.

Thus people perform donations and do charity on the day, which helps them earn good karma. People also buy gold on Akshaya Tritiya as Gold symbolizes prosperity, and so the family always finds abundance in life. People also serve cow on the day to gain double of the benefits.

Some people observe fast as well. There are many activities performed by devotees. One such thing is about visiting “Shri Akshayapureeshwarar Temple.” Visiting the temple, especially on this day, has its own significance. The temple is situated in Vilankulam, Thanjavur District. Having a Darshan of the God and Goddess in the temple bestows the devotees with utmost prosperity and materialistic wealth, which lets them lead a prosperous and happy life.

The Legend Related to the Temple

The Sthala Purana has its mention about the temple. It says that once planet Saturn or Shani got hit on the leg by his son Yama. The hit made Shani lame, and so he started a pilgrimage to all Shiva temples for remedy. When Shani reached this temple, he got stuck in the Vilva tree’s roots. His fall made the spring called Poosa Gyanavavi rose, which brought him to the shore. Here Lord Akshayapureeshwar gave him Darshan and healed his legs; the Lord also blessed him for the marriage.

This day was a Saturday, the day of Shani, which got combined with Poosam Star and Akshaya Tritiya. Both the Vilva tree and Poosa Gyanavavi combined gave the place its name “Vilankulam.”

Thus Lord Saturn, known as Lord Saneeshwara in this temple, has a great significance. He can be seen in his wedding form in the temple with his consorts Jeshta and Mandha. Here the Lord is also known as Adhi Bruhat Saneeshwara, and he is facing the South. However, the main presiding deity is Lord Shiva and called “Akshayapureeshwar.”

The Goddess residing in the temple is called Abhivruddhi Nayaki. She is the provider of all prosperity and growth in one’s life. Hence worshipping her on Akshaya Tritiya sanctifies a person with all kinds of luxury. The temple also has a separate shrine for Lord Sun apart from Lord Saneeshwara.

Also, as it was a day of Poosam Star when Saneeshwara was relieved from his difficulties, visiting the temple on a Saturday or on Poosam Star is considered auspicious. It relieves people from their difficulties with the grace of Lord Shiva, just like it relieved Lord Shani from his troubles.

Since the Poosam star is the 8th Star of all 27 stars, Poosam born people are advised to perform Abhishekam of Lord Shiva with eight different items such as Oil, Panchamrutham, Punugu, coconut water, milk, curd, etc. Along with this, if they visit the temple eight times, all their sorrows and troubles start disappearing from their life, and the person gains more mental peace and progress in the world.

Not only the Poosam Starrers but others too who are suffering from the disgrace of Shani or delay in marriage and any kind of difficulty also get it all sorted if they visit this temple. Paying homage to the Lord on Akshaya Tritiya and performing Puja for Akshayapureeshwarar and Abhivruddhi Nayaki is considered greatly auspicious for a devotee.

Significances Related to Akshaya Tritiya

• On Akshaya Tritiya, Sri Veda Vyasa started writing the Epic Mahabharata with Lord Ganesha.
• Lord Krishna visited Pandavas and gave him a bowl, “Akshaya Paathira,” which never goes out of food.
• Sudama visited his childhood friend Lord Krishna and received a King-like treatment. Krishna also blessed him with a prosperous and royal life.
• The day is considered as the birthday of Lord Parasurama, who is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• Kubera, who is considered as the owner of treasure in heaven, received His wealth from Lord Shiva on this day.

All these legends and divine events add up to the significance of the day that devotees should perform all possible good karmas, observe fast, visit the temple, and chant the name of the Lord.