Akshaya Tritiya is a highly auspicious day that represents the everlasting nature of wealth and prosperity. It is a time to initiate new beginnings, seek blessings for a prosperous life, and express gratitude for one’s blessings.

The word ‘Akshaya’ means ‘eternal’ or ‘never diminishing’, and ‘Tritiya’ means ‘the third lunar day’. The combination of these two words represents the everlasting nature of wealth and prosperity that is believed to be bestowed upon those who observe this day with devotion and purity of heart.

According to Vedic astrology, the Sun and the Moon are believed to be exalted on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. The Sun is exalted in the sign of Aries, while the Moon is exalted in the sign of Taurus. Any good deed or auspicious activity done on this day is considered to bring manifold blessings, long-lasting benefits and rewards.

On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, there are no malefic effects of planets in transit, making it an auspicious day throughout. Therefore, one does not need to seek any specific time to initiate auspicious activities on this day.

It is believed that the benefits of doing any Japa (mantra chanting), Yagya (Homas), Tarpan (Honoring your ancestors), Daan (donation) on this day will never diminish.

Akshaya Tritiya Timings – 2023

New York Timings
Tritiya Tithi Begins – 10:19 PM on Apr 21, 2023
Tritiya Tithi Ends – 10:17 PM on Apr 22, 2023

New Delhi Timings
Tritiya Tithi Begins – 07:49 AM on Apr 22, 2023
Tritiya Tithi Ends – 07:47 AM on Apr 23, 2023

Use the align27 app to check your local timings.

Akshaya Tritiya Rituals

  1. Honoring the Sun on Akshaya Tritiya brings invincible victory. You can do so by reciting the mantra. – Om Ghrini Dhatr Aditya or by listening to the Aditya Hrudayam Stotram.
  2. Akshaya Tritiya is a day to start new projects and ventures, as any seed planted on this day is believed to grow infinitely.
  3. Listen to or Meditate on Kanakadhara Stotram by Adi Shankaracharya during Venus hora.
  4. Donating to your favorite cause on Akshaya Tritiya is considered extremely auspicious. It is believed to be the single most powerful day for charitable acts.
  5. Chant Aum Namo Bhagavate Ramachandraya 108 times to honor the exalted Sun.
  6. Chant Aum Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya 108 times to honor the exalted Moon.
  7. To honor the divinity all around you, light a lamp during sunset.
  8. Make a resolution to relinquish bad habits and embrace good habits.
  9. Goddess Gauri is the devata associated with tritiya tithi (3rd lunar day) so you can worship her with the mantra “Sarva Mangala Maangalye, Shive Sarvaartha Saadhike| Sharanye Tryambake Gaurii, Naaraayanii Namostute||”
  10. To perform the wish-fulfilling ritual, begin by writing down all your desires and wishes on a sheet of paper. Then, place the paper in front of Goddess Lakshmi or at your altar. Next, light a lamp and bow down in the South East direction, chanting the mantra “Om Mahalakshmaye Namah” three times. As you bow down, offer all your desires and wishes to the divine who guards the South East direction.

Why is Akshaya Tritiya So Special?

  1. Sage Veda Vyasa began reciting the Hindu epic Mahabharata to Ganesha on Akshaya Tritiya.
  2. River Ganges descended to earth on this day.
  3. Akshaya Tritiya is believed in Hinduism to be the birthday of Parasurama who is the sixth incarnation of Vishnu.
  4. It was on this day that Goddess Annapoorna devi was born.
  5. Kubera received his wealth and position as custodian of wealth and property with Goddess Lakshmi on this day, by praying to Lord Shiva at Shivapuram.
  6. In Mahabharata, King Yudhishtira receives the Akshaya patra (magical vessel which holds a never ending supply of food) from Lord Surya on this day.
  7. It is on this day that poor Sudama, the best friend of Krishna visits Him (Lord Krishna) to greet Him after He became the King. With nothing to offer, Sudama takes with him Poha (puffed rice) and offers it to his friend and never discusses his poverty though he wanted to. On his return he finds his hut changed to a palace.
  8. Adi Shankaracharya recited the Kanaka Dhara Stotra

Significance of Kanaka Dhara Stotram

One day, as a young boy, he was begging for alms to prepare his lunch and he went to the house of a very poor Brahmin lady to beg. The lady was upset because there was nothing edible in the house. After searching the house once again she found one amla (Amalaki, gooseberry) fruit.

She hesitantly offered it to Shankara. He was moved after seeing the plight of the woman and sang 21 hymns praising Goddess Lakshmi. The Goddess was so pleased that she appeared before him and asked him why he has remembered her.

He asked the Goddess to grant riches to the poor woman. The Goddess first refused to do so because the lady had not done any work for charity in her previous birth and it is not possible to change one’s fate. Shankara told the Goddess that she is the only one who is capable of changing the fate of someone by erasing or changing the writings of the future made by Lord Brahma.

The Goddess was so pleased that she instantly showered the Brahmin lady’s house with goose berries made of pure gold.