Vishnu · Lakshmi
Akshaya Tritiya
The undiminishing third: whatever begins today, tradition says, does not decay.
Tithi: Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya
In the simplest words
The day whose good deeds never shrink: 'akshaya' means never-ending. People start new things, give to others, and welcome Lakshmi home.
The story & purpose
Akshaya means undiminishing. On this tithi the Treta Yuga is said to have begun, Parashurama was born, and Sudama's handful of poha became endless wealth in Krishna's hands. It is the day when giving multiplies.
The rest of the story
It is also the day, tradition holds, when Vyasa began dictating the Mahabharata and Ganesha bent to write, undiminishing words to match undiminishing wealth. The modern rush for gold is a late layer on the day's real economics: what is given today multiplies; the tradition's own instrument for akshaya merit was always daan.
What is done
Daan
Water, grain, fans, and summer relief given to those who need them: the day's true 'purchase'.
Lakshmi-Vishnu puja
Worship for sustained, righteous prosperity.
New beginnings
Ventures, first entries, and gold bought as a token of akshaya.
Best timings
The whole tithi is held auspicious; no separate muhurat is needed, tradition says.
Exact muhurat varies by city and tradition; for the precise hour, consult a local panchang for your location.
Worth knowing
The Badrinath shrine reopens around this day after winter.
Vrindavan's Banke Bihari gives charan darshan only on this day of the year.
At Puri the building of the Rath Yatra chariots begins on this day each year.
Mantras of this festival
Note: Some 2026 listings mark 20 April, since the tritiya runs on past sunrise that day.