The story of Goddess Annapoorna

In Hinduism, Goddess Annapoorna, or Annapurna Devi, is the Goddess of food and nourishment. She is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati; in essence one of the numerous forms of Shakti. In this incarnation she nourishes all living beings and therefore Hindus consider ‘Anna’ (food) as holy. There is an interesting incident involving Lord Shiva and Goddess Annapoorna, which explains the importance of material world along with the spirit.

The game of dice between Shiva and Parvati symbolises the beginning of manifestation.When Parvati takes the dice and begins to play, she separates herself from Shiva so that they become two different players thus initiating fragmentation and the creation of the phenomenal world. Shiva represents consciousness, and Parvati represents prakriti.

   At first Shiva beats Parvati, but then more is wagered and Shiva loses all his attributes to Her. After losing the game, and seemingly losing his powers, Shiva accepts the defeat with a shrug of his shoulders and withdraws into the forest to meditate. Symbolising that consciousness can detach itself from its experience and from its own contents, and withdraw into a peaceful state.

In the forest Shiva meets Vishnu who offers to help. Afterwards Shiva wins back all he previously lost and causes Parvarti to accuse him of cheating. Vishnu reveals to Parvarti the secret of Shiva’s victories. “My spirit entered the dice. The dice moved not according to your moves but according to my wish. So neither has Shiva really won nor have you really lost. The game was an illusion; your quarrel a product of delusion.”
Shiva tells Parvati that the world is an illusion, nature is an illusion, matter is a mirage, and even food is just maya. Parvati, mother of all material things including food, loses her temper, saying; "If I am just an illusion, let's see how you and the rest of the world get along without me," and disappears from the world. Her disappearance causes havoc in the cosmos. Time stands still and in the grip of a terrible drought, the earth becomes barren. Seeing such suffering, Parvati's heart melts and she appears at Kashi to give relief.

Hearing of her return, Shiva presents himself to Parvati with other hungry mendicants. The Goddess feeds him, and Shiva admits that food cannot be dismissed as mere illusion as it is required to nourish the body in which resides the Atma.

Since that time, Parvati is worshipped as Annapoorna Devi, the Goddess of food and sustainer of prosperity. Legend has it that Shiva made an agreement with Goddess Annapoorna that she look after life before death, ensuring that no one goes hungry in the sacred city of Kashi, while he will ensure they receive liberation.

Akshaya Tritiya (अक्षय तृतीया) - significance in Hinduism and Jainism.

Akshaya tritiya (अक्षय तृतीया) is a very auspicious and holy day as per Hinduism and Jainism.
akshaya: infinite, that which never recedes.
tritiya or teej : third tithi (lunar day)

Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (April-May), when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year. This day is ruled by god Vishnu, the preserver-god in the Hindu Trinity. It is believed that if you do charity on this day you will be blessed. The day is considered auspicious for starting new ventures. The legend is that any venture initiated on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya continues to grow and bring prosperity. Hence, new ventures, like starting a business, construction etc. is initiated on Akshaya Tritiya.
other stories related to Akshaya Tritiya are as follows - 

Krishna and Sudama : 
lord Krishna's childhood friend Sudama, also known as Kusela, visited Krishna on this day after he became King. With nothing to offer, Sudama took Poha (puffed rise) with him for Krishna. Looking at the riches of the court, Sudama felt ashamed to offer poha. Krishna welcomes Sudama in his court, made him sit and washed his feet.
Out of love for his poor childhood friend, Krishna  forced Sudama to share it. As soon as Krishna tasted poha, Sudama's poverty disappeared.

Goddess Annapoorna :
Once Shiva told Parvati that the world is an illusion and food too is a part of it. This angered the Devine mother, who is worshipped as the manifestation of all that is material, including food. To demonstrate the importance of her material manifestation, she disappeared from the world. Her disappearance brought time to a standstill and the Earth became Barren. There was no food to be found anywhere and all beings suffered from the pangs of hunger. Seeing all the suffering, Mother Parvati was filled with compassion and reappeared in Kashi on the day of Akshaya Tritiya and set up a Kitchen. Hearing about her return, Shiva ran to her and presented his bowl in alms saying, "Now I realise that the material world, like the spirit, cannot be dismissed as an illusion." Parvati smiled and fed Shiva with her own hands. Since then Parvati is worshipped as Annapurna, the Goddess of Nourishment.
(this is just a short version of the story, full version in upcoming blog entries)


Mahabharat :

• It was the day of Akshaya Tritiya when Lord Ganesh, started writing the epic Mahabharat to Sage Ved Vyaas'dictation.
• when Pandavas were in Exile, Lord Krishna, on this day, presented them an 'Akshaya paatr', a bowl which would never go empty and produce an unlimited supply of food on demand.
• it is also on this day that Dusshasan, Duyodhan's brother attempted to humiliate Draupadi by trying to unveil her at the royal court where Krishna protected her by providing 'undimishing' Saree.

Kuber

Kubera received his wealth and position as the custodian of wealth along with Goddess Lakshmi on this day, by praying to Lord Shiva.

Parashuraam

Akshaya tritiya is also celebrated as the birthday of Sage Parashuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The holiest of all Rivers, Ganga descended o Earth on the day of Akshaya tritiya.





Jainism : 

Rishabh Dev

The Day of Akshay Tritiya is worshipped and said to be auspicious in Jainism because it is said to have established the very first "ahar charya" a methodology to prepare and serve food to Jain Monks. Lord Rishabhdev denounced the worldly pleasures after dividing his vast kingdom in his 100 sons, prominent of whom are Gommateshwara Bahubali (whose world's tallest monolithic staure stands at shravanbelgola and Chakravarti Bharata, by whose name it is known today as "Bharat". Lord rishabhdev meditated without any food and water for six months and Upon attaining enlightenment (Kevalya Gyan), set out to accept food (Ahar). He was the first monk of this Era. Jain monks do not own anything. They do not even cook food for themselves. When hungry or thirsty, (Maximum Once in day), they set out to accept ahar. they do not even ask for it and accept where it is offered. Tirthankara Rishabhadev also went to people to accept food. However, the people of that time did not know anything about the lives and disciplines of monks, as he was the first monk of this era. The people of Ayodhya offered him gold, jewellery, gemstones, elephants, horses, expensive garments and even their daughters to honour their beloved king. Rishabhadev was not in quest of all these. He sought only a morsel of food, but nobody offered it to him. Nobody understood that their king was looking for to receive food to ensure that the monks that would come after him get food and water in the purest form needed to lead a ascetic life. As there was no choice, he had to fast for a long time of one year until his grandson Shreyansha Kumar understood his need due to his "purva-bhava-smaran" Finally Shreyansha Kumara, offered him sugarcane juice and thus Rishabhadev ended his fast after a year. This was on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. This is considered by the Jains as one of the best offerings. It is believed that religious gifts bestowed on Akshaya Tritiya become inexhaustible. Jains even today, observe a fast to commemorate their first Tirthankara Rishabhadev on Akshaya Tritiya and end their fast with sugarcane juice.