Akshaya Tritiya is the third day of the waxing Moon in Boishakh. The Bengali almanac counts it wholly auspicious, and many businesses that did not open their books on Poila Boishakh do so today, with Ganesh and Lakshmi worshipped in the shop. It is a day for buying gold, laying a foundation, or setting out the first seedbed, and for giving water and food in the heat.
The story
It is held to be the day the Ganga came down to earth, the day Vyasa began dictating the Mahabharata to Ganesha, and the day the Satya Yuga began.
At Puri, to which Bengalis have gone on pilgrimage since Chaitanya's time, the building of the Rath Yatra chariots begins today.
How it is kept
- Haal KhataNew ledgers are opened with a puja to Ganesh and Lakshmi.
- GoldJewellers in Bowbazar are open from early morning.
- DaanWater pots, fans, umbrellas and food are given away.
- BeginningsHousewarmings and new ventures are timed for the day.
Why this date
Akshaya Tritiya is the Tritiya of the bright fortnight of Boishakh, on the day it is present at midday.
Akshaya Tritiya in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday | |
| 2027 | Saturday | |
| 2028 | Thursday | |
| 2029 | Wednesday | |
| 2030 | Sunday | |
| 2031 | Thursday |
More Bengali festivals
15 AprilPoila Boishakhপয়লা বৈশাখ
20 AprilHanuman Jayantiহনুমান জয়ন্তী
14 JulyShayan Ekadashiশয়ন একাদশী
18 JulyGuru Purnimaগুরু পূর্ণিমা
15 AprilRam Navamiরাম নবমী
17 AugustRakhi Purnimaরাখী পূর্ণিমা
Where to see Akshaya Tritiya
In West Bengal
- Bowbazar, KolkataWest BengalThe street of goldsmiths, the centre of Bengal's jewellery trade.
- Kalighat Temple, KolkataWest BengalLedgers are brought to the goddess, as on the new year.
- Mahesh, SeramporeWest BengalThe old Jagannath temple, where work on the chariot season begins.
Across India
- PuriOdishaThe first cut is made on the chariots, and Chandan Jatra opens.
- GangotriUttarakhandThe shrine at the source of the Ganga opens for the year.
- VrindavanUttar PradeshThe feet of Banke Bihari are shown on this one day.