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Besides the high demand for marriage halls, another dilemma that the city faces is that of the priests. Wedding halls across the city are booked extensively so much so that the high demand has caused an astonishing shortage of priests to conduct weddings. As their demand is high, they agree to conduct those ceremonies that pay the highest. Because of the acute shortage, some people plan on becoming ‘temporary poojaris'.
Jayanth Jayaram, owner, Sri Jaya Durga Kalyana Mantapa, Mahalaxmi Layout, had to reject over 5,000 enquiries. “If we had forseen this unusual demand for Akshaya Tritiya, we would have reconsidered our rates. Next year will definitely see a rise in our rates,” he said. The Pai Vista Convention Hall in Gandhibazar rejected over 70 ceremonies but agreed to host an upanayana and an engagement. “There is a high demand for wedding halls this Sunday. Over 15 people tried to make reservations for Akshaya Tritiya at our hall,” said Anand S, manager of Sri Nijagunara Kshetra.
Akshaya Tritiya was celebrated as the birthday of the Hindu sage Parashurama, the sixth avatar of the God Vishnu, and on this day the Treta Yuga began and the river Ganges descended to the earth from the heaven. Buying gold is a popular activity on Akshaya Tritiya, as it is the ultimate symbol of wealth and prosperity.
Worship of Lord Vishnu on Akshay Tritiya eradicates and removes ones sins and makes him free from all sorrows. Puranas described that Devotees who perform Sri Maha Vishnu Puja on Akshay Tritiya attains salvation.
