2023 - Akshaya Tritiya | Mint Souvenir Token

The India Government Mint, Kolkata, issued gold and silver souvenir tokens in 2023 to mark the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. These tokens were minted without a year of issue, as they could be re-struck in subsequent years.

Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, is one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu and Jain calendars. It is observed on the third lunar day (Tritiya) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Vaishakha. The word Akshaya means “never diminishing” or “eternal”, and the day is traditionally associated with prosperity, success, and auspicious beginnings.

Akshaya Tritiya is regarded as a particularly favourable occasion for starting new ventures, making important purchases, undertaking charitable activities, and performing religious ceremonies. Many people believe that actions performed and offerings made on this day bring lasting merit and blessings.

The festival has several religious and mythological associations. In Hindu tradition, it is associated with Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, representing preservation, prosperity, and abundance. It is also traditionally connected with the appearance of Lord Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Akshaya Tritiya also holds an important place in the Mahabharata tradition. According to popular belief, the Akshaya Patra, the inexhaustible vessel associated with the Pandavas, was received on this auspicious day. The day is therefore often linked with the idea of abundance and an endless supply of nourishment.

For Jains, Akshaya Tritiya has special significance as it is associated with Lord Rishabhanatha (Adinatha), the first Tirthankara. Jain tradition holds that after a long period without food, Rishabhanatha accepted sugarcane juice from Shreyansa Kumar on this day. The occasion is commemorated through religious observances and fasting.

The festival has a particularly strong association with gold and silver in modern Indian tradition. Purchasing precious metals, jewellery, coins, or other valuable items on Akshaya Tritiya is considered auspicious and is believed to symbolise enduring prosperity. Businesses and families often regard the day as an appropriate time to make significant purchases or begin new investments.