Akshaya Tritiya is consider as one of the three and half most auspicious occasion in Hindu calendar. This year Akshaya Tritiya falls on April 19th. On this day, it is customary to purchase gold and engage in acts of charity. Furthermore, the time has arrived to bid farewell to perform the Pathvani ceremony for Chaitra Gauri, who was invited to her maternal home (Maher) and has been lovingly hosted and pampered.
In Maharashtra, just like the Sharadiya Navratri, Chaitra Navratri is also celebrated with great fervor. On Chaitra Shukla Tritiya , married women in the household ceremonially install the Goddess Annapurna revered here as Gauri by assigning her a special seat within the family shrine, and they worship her throughout the entire month. To mark this occasion, and as per their convenience, they organize a Haldi-Kumkum ceremony on any Tuesday or Friday during the month of Chaitra. During this gathering, they wash the feet of the daughters and daughters-in-law who have visited the home.
They apply a paste of sandalwood symbolizing coolness and tranquility to the guests' hands, and then gently run the ridged outer surface of a seashell over them. At this time, the Oti (a ceremonial offering held in the lap) is filled with soaked chickpeas and fresh fruits. Vatli Dal (seasoned soaked split gram) and Kairiche Panhe (a refreshing drink made from raw mangoes) constitute an integral part of the hospitality extended during this ceremony. During the Aarti (ritual prayer), a specific devotional song titled "Gauriche Maher" (Gauri's Maternal Home) is sung. The entire sequence of rituals is performed based on the belief that Gauri visits her maternal home during the month of Chaitra, enjoys all the affectionate pampering and festivities, and then returns to her marital home (Sasural) on Akshaya Tritiya.
If you cannot perform the rituals mentioned earlier, this ceremony can still be done until Akshaya Tritiya. If that's not possible, during the Chaitra Gauri farewell ceremony, fill the Goddess's Oti with a blouse piece and coconut, and offer it to a married woman as Prasad. Take four grains of Akshata from the Oti and place them in your safe or grain storage to invite prosperity. Offer Kairiche Dal and Panhe to the Goddess as Naivedya. If possible, invite five married women in the evening for a Haldi-Kumkum ceremony, offering them lentils and Panha as Naivedya.
Lakshmi’s Footprints: Similar to tracing Goddess Lakshmi's footprints during Gauri's arrival and departure in Bhadrapada, trace her footprints outward on Akshaya Tritiya to signify her departure. If tracing them throughout the house isn't feasible, draw four footprints at the doorstep and bid her farewell with "Punaragamanayacha," meaning "Please return again."
The concept of the Goddess visiting, accepting hospitality, and departing with blessings is joyful. Offer whatever service you can, humbly request she overlook shortcomings, and seek her blessing for her grace to forever protect you.