Akshaya Tritiya Puja Vidhi · अक्षय तृतीया पूजा विधि

How Akshaya Tritiya is kept: the morning bath, worship of Lakshmi and Narayana, the naivedya of barley and gram, gifts of a pot of water and food, and the custom of buying gold, as the published guides describe it.

How the puja is done

When

Akshaya Tritiya, also called Akha Teej, falls on Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya. The whole day is held to be auspicious in itself (an abujh or self-proven muhurat), so new work, purchases and good deeds need no separate muhurat. See the Akshaya Tritiya page for the date.

Why "akshaya"

Akshaya means "that which never diminishes". The merit of worship, japa, charity and good deeds done on this day is believed never to run out.
The day is also linked with the birth of Parashurama, the start of the Treta Yuga and the descent of the Ganga.

The puja

Rise early and bathe, adding a little Ganga jal to the water if you have it.
Worship Vishnu with Lakshmi (Lakshmi-Narayana) with flowers, a lamp and incense.
Offer naivedya of barley (jau) or barley sattu and chana dal.
Close with an aarti; Om Jai Lakshmi Mata is widely sung.

Daan (giving)

Charity is the heart of the day. Give food, clothes and water to those in need.
A pot or kalash filled with water (ghat daan or udakumbh daan) is a traditional gift, often with sattu, grain, ghee, jaggery and sherbet, suited to the start of summer.

Buying gold

Many buy gold, silver or something new on this day, believing that what is gained now will not diminish. It is a custom, not a part of the puja; charity matters more.

Customs differ by region and community: follow your family's way where it differs.

These steps are written in our own words; each appears in at least two of the published sources linked below, and steps found in only one source are left out. Puja customs differ by family, region and tradition; your family priest or family custom comes first.

About this text

Akshaya Tritiya, the "imperishable third", is one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu year, falling on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakha. Worship of Lakshmi and Narayana, charity and new beginnings on this day are believed to bear fruit that never diminishes. This page gives the observance as the published guides listed below describe it. Customs differ by region and community: follow your family's way where it differs.