According to the Vedic calendar, Akshaya Tritiya falls on the Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the auspicious month of Vaishakha. In 2025, this sacred occasion begins on 29th April at 5:31 PM and continues until 30th April at 2:12 PM. As per Vedic tradition, the day is observed based on the sunrise tithi, and thus, this year Akshaya Tritiya will be celebrated on 30th April.

Akshaya Tritya is considered the most auspicious day to start any new activity. It appears on the third day of Shukla paksha of Vaishakh month. The third day of Akshaya Tritya is utsava tithi, which means it falls on the same day every year. This utsava tithi in the Hindu calendar corresponds with the third day of Shukla paksha, which begins at sunset of each lunar day. The date will be determined based on various factors, such as which Vedic deity is worshipped that night and whether any auspicious event occurred on that particular moonless night.

In the Hindu religion, Akshaya means that which is unlimited, unbroken. Therefore, this day is celebrated for eternal and permanent happiness, peace, and prosperity. Many great things happened on this day. For instance, 1500 years ago, Buddha was born in India, and he would later teach people about mindfulness and meditation and become known as the “Gautama Buddha.”

1.) Lord Parshuram Ji appeared on the day of Akshaya Tritya which is also known as Parshuram Jayanti. He is also known as Lord Krishna, and he is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Keshav had a son named Sri Krishna, who became his 6th incarnation. Lord Parshuram was born to Queen Renuka and King Kushadhwaj, high-ranking devotees of Lord Vishnu.

kshatriya-rudhira-maye jagad-apagata-papam
snapayasi payasi samita-bhava-tapam
kesava dhrita-bhrigupati-rupa jaya jagadisa hare (Sri Dasavatara Stotra)

“0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who has assumed the form of Bhrigupati [Parasurama]! All glories to You! At Kurukshetra, You bathe the earth in the rivers of blood from the bodies of the demoniac Kshatriyas that You have slain. The world’s sins are washed away by You, and because of You, people are relieved from the blazing fire of material existence.”

2.) On Akshaya Tritya, Demigod Sun presented Akshaya Patra to Draupadi and Pandavas. This vessel was a divine vessel where Draupadi could prepare unlimited foodstuffs till she took prasadam.

However, it is essential to note that this vessel was not helpful on other days of the year, and on different days of the year, it would be filled with flowers and incense to cleanse it of its ill-gained impurities.

3- The Holy river Ganga appeared in this material world from the spiritual world on this day. First and foremost, the flow of the Ganga river was controlled by Lord Shiva on his matted hair, and then he released it on Gangotri.

Thus, mother Ganga and Gangotri Dham appeared on Akshaya Tritya.

4.) Akshaya Tritya is the day on which Lord Shri Krishna was welcomed back to Dwarka. Sudama, a close friend of Lord Shri Krishna, came to meet the Lord to secure his and his family’s future.

He presented the Lord with puffed rice, which he had received from friends from afar. The Lord was pleased to accept and consume those puffed rice. Thus the Lord gave him benediction for all his opulence.

5- On Akshaya Tritya, Lord Ganesha started writing Mahabharata, a great epic, under the supervision of Vedvyas Ji. Mahabharata is one of the important scriptures and contains Bhagavad Gita.

This tells the tale of a warrior prince named Arjuna who strives to win his throne from his wicked uncle. Vedavyas first wrote down this epic on this auspicious day.

6.) On the day of Akshaya Tritya, the day before the summer solstice and significant because it is the first day of Anant Chaturdashi, a new cart is built for Lord Jagannatha. This cart will be used in rath yatra.

In this tradition, Lord Jagannatha and His brother Lord Baladeva Ji are taken on a procession from Jagannatha temple to Gundicha temple every year. The construction for this cart starts on that day.

7- Shri Madhvendra Puri Ji is an Indian spiritual master who was in his late 20s when he began exploring the path of spirituality. At 27, he renounced the world and became a wandering ascetic for five years before settling at Jagannath Puri. Shri Madhvendra Puri Ji is regarded as a perfect model of devotion to Lord Krishna. He has been celebrated in religious texts from various Gaudiya Vaishnavism traditions and has influenced other religious figures like Sri Radha Krsna devotees and Hare Krishnas.

Madhvendra Puri is an Indian spiritual leader born in Mumbai and lived there until he was eight years old. He proceeded to Jagannath Puri to get some sandalwood, but on the way, he stopped in a small village named Remuna. In Remuna, there was a magnificent and divine temple of Lord Gopinatha Ji, famous for His mahaprasad. It was said that His mahaprasad Kheer, sweet rice, was just like nectar. 

Once, a pure-hearted devotee named Madhavendra Puri visited a temple where a special sweet rice dish (ksira) was being offered to Lord Gopinatha. Seeing the offering, he thought, “If I could taste it, I would learn how to make it and offer the same to Lord Gopala in Vrindavan.” But right after that thought, he felt deep regret. He had wished to taste the offering before it was given to the Lord — something he knew was not right.

Feeling sorry for his thought, Madhavendra Puri quietly left the temple, without speaking to anyone. His heart was full of repentance. That night, Lord Gopinatha appeared in a dream and told the priest to take the sweet rice to Madhavendra Puri. The Lord was pleased with his honesty and devotion.

This beautiful story teaches us two important things: First, true devotion means putting God before ourselves. And second, we should never delay doing the right thing — because waiting too long can take us away from our purpose.

Lord Gopinatha, or Krishna, is a prominent deity of Hinduism. He is also known as Gopinath, Govinda, and Keshava. He is a God of love and devotion who is considered the greatest avatar of Vishnu. In a dream that the temple priest had on that night, Lord Gopinatha instructed him to go to Madhavendra Puri and give him the pot of sweet rice which he had hidden under his garments. So the priest went to Madhavendra Puri, where Lord Gopinatha was so overwhelmed by ecstasy to learn everything from him that he continued his journey and reached Puri, collecting sandalwood and camphor.

Madhavendra Puri had gone on a pilgrimage to Haridwar, but he returned to Remuna on his way back. There, he had a dream in which the Gopala Deity at Vrindavan told him to grind the sandalwood into pulp, mix with camphor and apply it to the body of the Gopinatha Deity. Lord Gopala said that He was non-different from the Deity of Gopinatha. So Madhavendra Puri made all arrangements to carry out the order of Lord Gopala.

A tradition popularly known as Chandan yatra starts from the day of Akshaya Tritya and lasts for 21 days. Chandana-yatra celebrations, Chandana (sandalwood pulp) is applied to the Lord. It is considered very auspicious to start anything, and most people purchase gold on Ashaya Tritya. In Spiritual life, God’s name and His devotional loving service are priceless. That is why today, we should chant the names of God more and more or start chanting the names of God.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rāma Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma Hare Hare 

The World Holy Name Festival is an annual event celebrated by followers of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and devotees of Lord Krishna worldwide. Every year, devotees worldwide celebrates the “World Holy Name Festival” from September 17 to September 23, to honor the arrival of Srila Prabhupada in America on September 17, 1965. The main purpose of the World Holy Name Festival is to promote the chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra and the glorification of Lord Krishna.
It carries several key significances and glories:

Chanting the Holy Name

The primary focus of World Holy Name Festival is the chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.” Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu emphasized that the chanting of the holy name is not limited by caste, creed, or social status. It is a practice that can be followed by people from all walks of life, making it inclusive and accessible to everyone.

Devotional Community

World Holy Name Festival brings together devotees from all over the world to engage in collective chanting and devotional activities. It strengthens the sense of community among devotees and allows them to share their love and devotion for Lord Krishna.

Outreach and Education

During this festival, ISKCON communities often engage in outreach activities, distributing literature about the philosophy and teachings of Lord Krishna and conducting educational seminars and lectures. It’s a time when people who may be unfamiliar with Krishna consciousness can learn about its principles and practices.

Spiritual Renewal

For existing devotees, World Holy Name Festival serves as a time of spiritual renewal and deepening of their relationship with Lord Krishna. It’s an opportunity to recommit to their spiritual practices and intensify their devotion.

Public Awareness

The festival helps raise public awareness about the ISKCON and its teachings. Through street chanting, book distribution, and prasadam (sanctified food) distribution, ISKCON communities share their spiritual culture with the public and promote a lifestyle of devotion and compassion.

Unity and Peace

Chanting the holy name is have the power to bring about inner and outer peace. Devotees pray for world peace during World Holy Name Week, emphasizing the idea that by connecting with the Supreme Lord through the holy name, conflicts and disturbances in the world can be mitigated.

Personal Transformation

Devotees often testify to the transformative power of the holy name in their own lives. They share stories of how regular chanting has brought them inner joy, improved relationships, and a sense of purpose.

Legacy of Srila Prabhupada

World Holy Name Festival also honors the legacy of Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON, who played a pivotal role in spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna and the chanting of the holy name worldwide.

In essence, World Holy Name Week is a celebration of the profound spiritual and devotional significance of chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra. It serves as a time for devotees to come together in unity, reach out to the broader community, and deepen their commitment to the practice of bhakti yoga and devotion to Lord Krishna. Through this festival, the glories of the Holy name are celebrated and shared with the world.

“harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā [Adi 17.21]”

“In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.”

Divine Origins and Marriage

Sita Thakurani was born as the daughter of Shri Nrishinga Baduri, a deeply spiritual figure. She was married to Shri Advaita Acharya in Phuliya Nagara, a union that was divinely ordained. As per the Gaura-Ganodesha-Dipika, she is considered to be an incarnation of Yogamaya, the divine energy that orchestrates the Lord’s pastimes. In Krishna-lila, she appeared as Purnamasi, the mother of Sandipani Muni and grandmother of Madhumangal and Nandimukhi, illustrating her eternal connection with the Lord in His various incarnations.

Sita Thakurani and the Birth of Lord Chaitanya

One of the most revered aspects of Sita Thakurani’s life was her deep maternal affection towards Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Her connection with Him began from the moment of His birth. When Jagannatha Mishra, the father of Shri Chaitanya, saw signs of the Lord’s imminent arrival, he sent word to Advaita Acharya in Shantipura. Upon hearing the joyous news, Advaita Acharya sent his wife, Sita Thakurani, to Mayapur to witness the birth of the child.
Arriving with great auspiciousness, Sita Thakurani brought with her a variety of gifts, including silk garments, golden ornaments, and other sacred items, which she offered to the divine child. She immediately recognized the transcendental nature of the newborn, seeing in Him the same Krishna of Gokula. Her heart overflowed with maternal affection, and she blessed the baby with long life and good fortune. In her loving concern, she also named Him Nimai, a name that would protect Him from any malevolent forces.

Maternal Guidance and Care

Sita Thakurani’s role extended beyond her initial visit. She regularly visited the house of Jagannatha Mishra and Sachi Devi to help care for the young Nimai. Her knowledge and experience in child-rearing, coupled with her divine intuition, made her a vital figure in His upbringing. She offered invaluable guidance to Sachi Devi, advising her on how to care for her extraordinary son. The two women were united in their love and devotion to Nimai, and Sita Thakurani’s frequent visits created a bond between the families that transcended mere friendship.
During Nimai’s childhood and youth, Sita Thakurani and Advaita Acharya continued to play crucial roles in His life. When Nimai’s older brother, Vishvarupa, took sannyasa and left the family, the grief-stricken Jagannatha Mishra and Sachi Devi found solace in the comforting words and support of Advaita Acharya and Sita Thakurani. Their unwavering presence helped the family cope with the loss.

Devotion to Lord Chaitanya

Sita Thakurani’s devotion to Lord Chaitanya was boundless. Even as He grew into His divine mission, she remained an integral part of His life. Advaita Acharya and Sita Thakurani were present when the Lord began His kirtan pastimes, spreading the sankirtan movement. They prayed fervently for His well-being and supported Him in His divine mission to uplift the fallen souls of Kali-yuga.
After Lord Chaitanya took sannyasa, the separation from Him deeply affected His mother, Sachi Devi. Sita Thakurani stayed with her for days, consoling her in her time of grief. When the Lord eventually returned to Shantipura after His sannyasa, it was Sita Thakurani’s cooking that nourished Him. Her vatsalya-prema (parental affection) for the Lord was so deep that He accepted her offerings with the same love and respect He showed His own mother, Sachi Devi.

The Spiritual Festivities

Sita Thakurani also played an active role in the spiritual festivities organized by Lord Chaitanya and Advaita Acharya. Her joyful participation in kirtans and festivals, along with her organization of the events, contributed to the spreading of the bhakti movement. Her home in Shantipura became a hub for devotees who gathered to immerse themselves in the ecstatic love of Krishna.
One particular instance, beautifully described in the writings of Shri Parameshvari Dasa Thakura, tells of a festival where Sita Thakurani, at the request of Lord Chaitanya, organized an event filled with singing, dancing, and the chanting of the Lord’s names. The joy and devotion that filled the air during these occasions reflected Sita Thakurani’s deep connection to both Lord Chaitanya and the community of devotees.

Sita Thakurani’s Legacy

Sita Thakurani and Advaita Acharya had three sons: Achyutananda, Krishna Mishra, and Gopala Mishra. Each of their sons followed in the spiritual footsteps of their parents, becoming dedicated followers of Lord Chaitanya.
Her legacy as Yogamaya, the divine energy that facilitates the Lord’s pastimes, underscores her importance in both Krishna-lila and Gaura-lila. Through her actions, Sita Thakurani exemplified the perfect devotee, whose life is dedicated entirely to the service of the Lord and His devotees. Her maternal affection for Lord Chaitanya, as well as her active involvement in the spiritual lives of others, cements her position as a central figure in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.

Conclusion

Sita Thakurani’s life is a shining example of devotion, love, and spiritual wisdom. As the eternal consort of Advaita Acharya and the divine mother of Lord Chaitanya, she played an indispensable role in the Lord’s earthly pastimes. Her compassion, care, and dedication not only nurtured the young Nimai but also helped spread the teachings of devotion and love throughout the world. Her story continues to inspire generations of devotees to this day, and she is rightfully worshipped as one of the most revered figures in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.