Devotes take a holy dip in Ganges on 'Akshaya Tritiya' in Allahabad

Allahabad, May 7 : Devotees in Allahabad take a holy dip in the river Ganges on the occasion of 'Akshaya Tritiya' (Gold festival) today.

Akshay Tritiya, the third day of the lunar fortnight of 'Vaishakh' - the second month according to Hindu calendar, is considered one of the four most sacred days of the year.

Priests and devout said that the holy dip would rid them of their sins and give salvation to them.

"There is a sacred tree of Akshayvat here. Those who come here get salvation and their miseries vanish," said Gopal Maharaj, a priest.

Later in the day, people will throng jewellery shops to buy gold ornaments on this occasion, which according to Hindu almanac is most auspicious for buying the yellow metal.

The word Akshaya means that which never diminishes - hence prompting people to buy valuables particularly gold on this day, which Indians love to display on their persons.

Allahabad being at the confluence of the Indian sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the invisble Saraswati, derives more importance on the occasion because of a sacred 'Akshayvat' tree.

ANI