akshat

Akshat (अक्षत) !

Akshat, Kumkum and Rodi

What is "Akshat" ? 
Akshat is raw unbroken rice washed or sprinkled with water. Akshat is a Sanskrit/Hindi word which means unbroken or unending. It is a symbol of prosperity and longevity. That is why it is used in blessings. 
It is an integral part of worship items and without it worship may not be in a proper way. In almost all regions of India it is used in one way or other for worship or on the occasions of weddings, "Upnayans" and other "Sanskaras". Along with "Durva" (Doob grass) and turmeric powder Akshat is sprinkled over the couple after wedding as an act of blessings and so is done in "Upnayans" (जनेऊ) when it is sprinkled over the "Barua" (The boy whose "Upnayan Sanskara" is being performed).
Before the worship is started some Akshat is kept in and under the Lamp (Deep -दीया), Kalash (कलश) and under the plates of "Naivedya" (Sweets and fruits being offered to God). It is also used for "Tilak -teeka" (placing a spot of something on the forehead between the eyebrows) along with vermilion or Rodi. 
Be it an occasion of "Grih-Pravesh" (गृह-प्रवेश - The worship on the occasion of entering a new house) or the custom of "Galsedi"(गलसेदी-A custom in which the cheeks of bridegroom are fomented with betel leaves) on the occasion of wedding ceremony, multi-colored Akshat is used to decorate the "Vedi" in the former and the "Thali" in the later. In Bengali and Mithila society the paste of Akshat is used to make "Alpana" or "Arpana" (Floral designs in white) on the floor or at the place of worship. On the festival of Deepawali this paste is used to make symbols of feet of Goddess Lakshmi from the entrance of the house to place of worship.
In the daily worship Akshat with "Kumkum" is offered over the Shiva-linga but it is not offered to Vishnu. Instead Vishnu is offered "Tulsi leaves" daily. But it is said that on the occasion of the festival of "Akshay Tritiya" these offerings are reversed. It is the only day of the year when God Vishnu is offered Akshat and God Shiva is offered "Tulsi leaves".
Before starting the worship it is customary to do Like a promise to self) in which saying name, gotra, place and time it is decided what worship will follow. It is spoken in Sanskrit but during this saying the devotee has to keep in hand a red flower, jala (जल ) and Akshat. So Akshat is necessary in "Sankalp" - संकल्प also.


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