Nashik: Cashing in on the religious importance of Akshaya Tritiya, people from the city are all set to buy items and begin new ventures on Wednesday.Citizens are likely to purchase gold, enter into real estate deals, begin new ventures, business establishments, conduct house warming ceremonies and marriage functions on Wedneday.“Akshaya Tritiya is falling on the third day of Marathi month of Vaishakh. It is considered auspicious to start new business and purchase of gold or wealth. Hindus also celebrate the birthday of Lord Parshurama and Lord Basaveshwara on this day,” said Sadanand Shastri Joshi, a priest from Ram Kund.“This year Akshaya Tritiya coincidently falls on Wednesday, which is considered as an auspicious day to purchase gold,” he added.The purchase of gold will be a costly affair this year. “The rate of 24 carat gold was Rs 32,070 for 10g on April 6. On Tuesday, it was Rs 32,450 for 10g. This shows that the gold prices are increasing and the same trend is expected to continue on Akshaya Tritiya. People will definitely purchase gold as it is a family tradition for many in the city,” said a senior functionary of jewellers association.On the eve of the festival, people from the city thronged the markets to buy fruits and earthen pots on Tuesday evening.On this day, every year, several people from the city visit Venkateshawara temple at Gangapur as they are allowed to enter inside the sanctum sanctorum only on Akshaya Tritiya.The followers of Veershaiva Lingayat community will celebrate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Basaveshwara, a 12th-century philosopher, statesman, Kannada poet and a social reformer. A function has been organized at Ravivar Karanja where Nashikites will offer prayers to Mahatma Basaveshwara.At Nashik Road, youth wing of Veershaiva Foundation will take out a rally in the evening.Other than Akshaya Tritiya, Parshuram Jayanti will also be celebrated on Wednesday. A vehicle rally has been planned from Kalika Mandir by Akhil Bharatiya Brahman Mahasangh. In Mhasrul, the residents will celebrate the annual fair of Goddess Mahalaxmi.Coincidently, Muslims in the city will also be celebrating the beginning of Hijari month Shaban from Wednesday. The iconic Badi Dargah in Nashik will celebrate its annual Urs and the first Chadar will be offered on behalf of the Nashik Police.

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