KATHMANDU, April 30: People across the country celebrated Akshaya Tritiya today by offering and consuming saatu (roasted barley flour) and sarbat (a traditional herbal drink), continuing a centuries-old Vedic tradition. The festival falls on the third day of the waxing moon in the month of Baisakh.
Devotees began the day early by cleaning their homes, taking ritual baths, preparing worship materials, and making sacred vows (sankalpa). They worshipped oil lamps (diya), sacred pitchers (kalash), and Lord Ganesha. They placed a copper plate engraved with an eight-petal lotus (ashtadal) atop the kalash and offered sixteen ceremonial items (shodashopachar) to Lord Vishnu. They honored priests and offered them sarbat—prepared by mixing water stored in copper or clay pots with cinnamon, clove, cardamom, honey, sugar, molasses, and rock sugar—and donated saatu as part of Vedic customs.
Akshaya Tritiya being observed across country
Scriptures emphasize that virtuous acts such as bathing, donating, meditating, and chanting on this day yield eternal merit. As saatu and sarbat provide relief during the summer heat, devotees have continued the tradition of consuming and donating these items since Vedic times.
Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, head of the Dharma Shastra Department at Valmiki Vidyapeeth, said these offerings help protect the body from heat, build strength, and boost immunity. "Even small donations on Akshaya Tritiya produce great spiritual rewards that never perish—hence the name Akshaya, meaning 'imperishable," he explained. "The festival highlights the belief that one must first care for the body to truly follow the path of righteousness."
People also made donations referred to as dharmaghatadi daan (religious vessel offerings), which included pitchers, umbrellas, walking sticks, and cloth shoes for the elderly. Those with the means donated cows, land, grains, and gold to deserving Brahmins, as well as to the poor and needy.
According to belief, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were married on this day in the Satya Yuga, which is why many consider this day auspicious for weddings without requiring astrological consultation. Scriptures also state that the Treta Yuga began on Akshaya Tritiya. Since acts of virtue performed today are believed to bring inexhaustible rewards, the day is celebrated as Akshaya Tritiya.
