Akṣaya Tṛtīyā

When it falls

The third lunar day (tṛtīyā) of the bright half of Vaiśākha, which falls in late April or early May. The tradition holds that the whole day is auspicious without consulting a muhūrta (chosen hour).

The Phala almanac gives the exact day for your own city; the lunar and solar rules above are what it computes from.

The story

Akṣaya means 'that which does not diminish'. The texts attach several beginnings to this day: the sage Vyāsa is said to have begun dictating the Mahābhārata to Gaṇeśa on it, the Gaṅgā is said to have descended to earth on it, and the Treta Yuga is said to have opened on it.

The best-known story is Kṛṣṇa and Sudāmā. Sudāmā, a poor childhood friend, walked to Dvārakā with a handful of flattened rice as his only gift. He was too embarrassed to offer it, but Kṛṣṇa found it and ate it, and Sudāmā returned home to find his hut turned into a palace. A small gift given with a whole heart is the day's lesson.

Because whatever is started today is held to keep growing, it is the year's busiest day for buying gold, opening a business, laying a foundation, or beginning a long fast or a long study.

How the day is kept

• Gold or a new metal vessel is bought in the morning; jewellers stay open late and queue their customers into the street.
• Charity (dāna) is given: grain, water pots, fans and umbrellas for the coming summer, and food for anyone who asks.
• Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī are worshipped at home, with a reading of the Sudāmā story where the family keeps the custom.
• In Odisha the building of the Rath Yātrā chariots at Purī begins today, and farmers sow the first paddy of the season.
• At Simhāchalam in Andhra the deity's sandalwood covering is removed for the one day of the year on which his true form is seen (Candanotsavam).

More holy days