Akshaya Tritiya and Simhachalam Chandanotsavam

Introduction

Akshaya Tritiya falls on Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya, the third day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha, usually in late April or May. Akshaya means "that which never diminishes", and the day is regarded as so auspicious that any good work begun on it needs no separate muhurtam. In the Telugu lands it is above all the day of Chandanotsavam at Simhachalam, when devotees receive the rare Nijaroopa Darshanam – the darshan of the Lord's true form. It is also closely linked with Parasurama Jayanti, the appearance day of Lord Parasurama, which falls on the same Tritiya – or, in some years, on the day before.

Significance and Legend

According to tradition, the merit of whatever is given, chanted or done on Akshaya Tritiya never fades. Many traditions hold that the Treta Yuga began on this day, and it is also remembered as the day Goddess Annapurna appeared. Lord Parasurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu – the son of Sage Jamadagni and Renuka Devi – is believed to have been born on Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya, and his Jayanti is observed on the Tritiya that prevails in the evening.

At Simhachalam, the Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy remains covered in sandalwood paste through the year, so that he resembles a lingam. According to the temple's tradition, when King Pururava found the hidden idol, he was told in a dream that it should always stay covered in sandalwood, except on the third day of Vaishakha. And so, only once a year, on Akshaya Tritiya, the sandalwood is removed and devotees behold the Lord's true form.

How it is Celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

• Simhachalam Chandanotsavam: after special pujas, the sandalwood covering is removed and the Lord gives Nijaroopa Darshanam for about twelve hours – the only such darshan of the year. Lakhs of devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and beyond climb the hill for it. That night the Lord is covered again with fresh sandalwood paste, which is applied on four days in the year: on Akshaya Tritiya and on the full moons of Vaishakha, Jyeshtha and Ashadha.
• Dana (charity): because the merit of giving is believed to be undying, families give food, water, clothes and other essentials to the needy. In the summer heat, giving a pot of water (udakumbha danam), buttermilk, fans and umbrellas is especially valued.
• New beginnings: many choose the day to begin new ventures, and many buy gold or other auspicious items, believing it brings lasting prosperity – though the tradition places charity above buying.
• Parasurama Jayanti: devotees remember Lord Parasurama with special worship at Vishnu temples.

Rituals and Puja

• An early bath, followed by worship of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.
• Recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranama and the Lord's names; japa and meditation, whose merit is believed to be multiplied on this day.
• Giving charity in the name of the family's ancestors, and feeding the needy.

Foods and Offerings

• Sandalwood paste – at Simhachalam, offered to cover the Lord again after the Nijaroopa Darshanam.
• Water, buttermilk and panakam offered to the Lord and given to people in the summer heat.
• Rice, fruits, clothes and other essentials given in charity.

Temples Known for this Festival

• Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam, Simhachalam – Chandanotsavam, the temple's most important festival: the sandalwood is removed for about twelve hours of Nijaroopa Darshanam, drawing lakhs of devotees.
• Sri Annapoorneshwari Temple, Horanadu – Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated as the day of Goddess Annapoorneshwari's appearance, one of the temple's main festivals.

Later in the same bright fortnight, on Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi, the Lord of Simhachalam and the other Narasimha kshetras celebrate Narasimha Jayanti.

The Akshaya Tritiya and Parasurama Jayanti dates are shown in the festival dates above. Akshaya Tritiya falls on Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya as per the Telugu panchang; the Simhachalam Devasthanam announces the Chandanotsavam darshan timings each year.