Importance of sugarcane in Indian culture
As per some stories in Jain tradition, the first Tirthankara of the current world cycle or Kalpa, Rishabhnath, broke his fast on Akshay Tritiya day. He drank sugarcane juice given to him by King Shreya. Sugarcane is considered very auspicious. India is supposed to be the land where sugarcane was first cultivated. This is why the oldest kings of India, like Rishabnath and Ram, were identified as bringers of sugarcane or Ishkavaku. The word Akshaya may be linked to Ikshu, or sugarcane. Iskhu Tritiya may have become Akshaya Tritiya over time.
Source: mid-day E-paper. Retrieved from https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/ending-the-fast-23237426 on 03-08-2022 | 11:22 am
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