Odisha Marks Akshaya Tritiya With Farmer Welfare Push; Celebration Of Agrarina Roots, Jagannath Devotion

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is celebrating the auspicious agrarian festival of Akshaya Tritiya on Monday, marking the traditional beginning of the Kharif farming season with rituals, prayers for prosperity, and temple festivities.

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Monday announced the direct transfer of financial assistance to farmers under ‘CM-Kisan’ scheme for the upcoming Kharif-2026 season on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

“Our government remains steadfastly committed to the holistic prosperity of the state’s annadata (food providers) and to energising the agricultural economy. We are today initiating the direct transfer of financial assistance amounts under the ‘CM-Kisan’ scheme for Kharif-2026,” the Chief Minister posted on X.

The CM emphasised that the primary goal of the initiative is to provide financial security and empowerment to small, marginal, and landless farming families actively engaged in agriculture. “This support will strengthen the backbone of Odisha’s farmer community and serve as a significant milestone towards building a developed and progressive Odisha,” he added.

Under the scheme, Rs 4,000 is provided annually in two instalments to eligible farmers, supplementing the central PM-Kisan assistance of Rs 6,000, provided annually in three instalments, to help farmers buy seeds, fertilisers and pesticides.

How the festival is celebrated in Odisha

Akshaya Tritiya, observed on the third day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha, underscores Odisha’s rich blend of agrarian roots and Jagannath-centric devotion.

For farmers, it marks the start of the sowing season through a ritual known as ‘Akhi Muthi Anukula’, where they plough their fields and sow a fistful of seeds as an offering to Goddess Lakshmi, seeking her blessings for a bountiful harvest.

The festival holds deep cultural and religious significance in the state. In Puri, Akshaya Tritiya marks the formal commencement of chariot construction for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, alongside the start of the Chandan Yatra, a ceremonial procession of deities at various temples.

Chandan Yatra of Bhubaneswar’s presiding deity Lord Lingaraj continues for 22 days. The Lord and Goddess Parvati are taken out in a decorated palanquin along with Maa Rukmini and Basudeva for ‘Chapa’ khela in Bindusagar pond.

Preparations for Sital Sasthi festival will also begin in Sambalpur with Thala Utha ritual on Akshaya Tritiya, marking the start of the week-long celebrations. This ceremony officially kicks off the selection of the bride’s parents and preparations for the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. 

Widely regarded as highly auspicious, the day is considered ideal for initiating new ventures, including weddings, property deals, investments, or purchasing gold, as any endeavour started on Akshaya Tritiya is believed to flourish endlessly. It also commemorates the birthday of Lord Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, and the day when Sage Vyasa and Lord Ganesha are said to have begun composing the Mahabharata.

Devotees offer prayers at temples, engage in charity, and observe rituals seeking eternal prosperity.