Festival companion · Saturday 8 May 2027

Akshaya Tritiya

The day of things that never fade. Everything for one festival in one place: the story to tell, the puja, a recipe, a craft for children and a shopping list.

Tell the story

The Story of Akshaya Tritiya

Sudama was a poor Brahmin who had studied with Krishna as a boy. His wife begged him to visit his old friend, now king of Dwaraka, but Sudama had nothing to give except a handful of beaten rice tied in a cloth.

Krishna welcomed him with tears of joy, washed his feet and ate the beaten rice with delight. Sudama was too shy to ask for anything and walked home empty-handed. But when he reached his village, his hut had become a beautiful home, full of everything his family needed.

It is said this happened on Akshaya Tritiya. A gift given with love, however small, never runs out. That is why this is the day for giving.

How families celebrate

Akshaya means "never diminishing". Whatever good is started or given on this day is said to keep growing, so families begin new ventures, give to those in need, and buy a little gold or silver. Lakshmi and Vishnu are worshipped at home.

Lakshmi Narayana puja, charity (food, water, clothes), starting something new, and a small purchase of gold, silver or grain.

At home

The Puja

A home puja anyone can follow, step by step, with the words to say.

Before you begin

  1. Prepare

    Bathe, wear clean clothes and clean the puja place. Set out a lamp, incense, flowers, kumkum, turmeric, rice, water in a small vessel with a spoon, a bell and the naivedya (food offering).

  2. Light the lamp

    Light the lamp with ghee or oil and fold your hands.

    SayShubham karoti kalyanam arogyam dhana sampadah, shatru buddhi vinashaya deepa jyotir namostute

  3. Pray to Ganesha first

    Every puja begins with Ganesha, so the rest goes without obstacles. Offer a flower or a little rice.

    SayVakratunda mahakaya suryakoti samaprabha, nirvighnam kuru me deva sarva karyeshu sarvada

  4. Achamana and sankalpa

    Sip a spoon of water three times. Then hold a little water, rice and a flower and say, in your own language, who you are, where you are, and why you are doing this puja today. Let it fall in a plate.

    SayOm Keshavaya namah · Om Narayanaya namah · Om Madhavaya namah

Step by step

  1. Bath and puja

    After a bath, set up a picture of Lakshmi Narayana with flowers and tulsi.

  2. Worship Lakshmi and Vishnu

    Offer flowers, tulsi, kumkum and turmeric.

    SayOm Namo Narayanaya · Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai namah

  3. Bless what is new

    Place anything new before the deity: gold or silver, a business plan, a new notebook, seeds.

  4. Daan (giving)

    Give food, water, clothes or money to someone in need, or donate to a cause.

  5. Begin something

    Start a good habit, a course, a savings jar or a new project today.

Closing

  1. Naivedya

    Place the food before the deity, sprinkle a little water around it and offer it with your hands open.

    SayOm pranaya svaha · Om apanaya svaha · Om vyanaya svaha · Om udanaya svaha · Om samanaya svaha

  2. Aarti

    Wave the camphor or ghee lamp clockwise in front of the deity, ringing the bell, while the family sings an aarti or bhajan.

  3. Pradakshina and namaskara

    Turn around once clockwise where you stand, then bow or prostrate. Ask forgiveness for anything done wrongly.

    SayYani kani cha papani janmantara kritani cha, tani tani vinashyanti pradakshina pade pade

  4. Share the prasada

    Share the naivedya with everyone at home and with neighbours.

The 16 offerings

Most home pujas follow the sixteen offerings, the shodashopachara. When you have little time, offer flowers, a lamp and food with love; that is enough.

  1. DhyanaThink of the deity
  2. AvahanaInvite the deity
  3. AsanaOffer a seat (a flower or rice)
  4. PadyaWater to wash the feet
  5. ArghyaWater to wash the hands
  6. AchamaniyaWater to sip
  7. SnanaA bath (sprinkle water, or abhisheka)
  8. VastraClothes (a cloth or cotton thread)
  9. Yajnopavita / AbharanaSacred thread or ornaments
  10. GandhaSandal paste, turmeric and kumkum
  11. PushpaFlowers and leaves
  12. DhupaIncense
  13. DeepaA lamp
  14. NaivedyaFood
  15. TambulaBetel leaf and nut, or fruit
  16. Nirajana and namaskaraAarti, flowers and bowing

Print

A printable version of this puja is on its way. Until then, use the Print button.

This is a simple home puja. Every family and region has its own customs, so follow your elders or priest where they differ.

Cook together

Aam Panna

More recipes →
North India, Maharashtra · Akshaya Tritiya, summer

Aam Panna

Raw mango cooler: aam panna in Hindi, kairi panha in Marathi

  • 30 min
  • Serves 6 glasses
Ingredients and method

Ingredients

  • 2 raw green mangoes
  • ½ cup sugar or jaggery
  • 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
  • ½ tsp black salt, a pinch of pepper
  • A few mint leaves
  • Chilled water

Method

  1. Boil or pressure-cook the mangoes until soft. Cool, peel and squeeze out the pulp.
  2. Blend the pulp with sugar, cumin, black salt, pepper and mint.
  3. Keep this concentrate in the fridge.
  4. Mix 3 tbsp concentrate with a glass of chilled water to serve.

Look for hard green mangoes at Asian grocers in spring.

For children

Make a giving jar

You need

  • A clean glass jar
  • Paint or stickers
  • Paper slips

Steps

  1. Decorate the jar.
  2. Each family member writes one thing they will give or share this year on a slip.
  3. Put the slips in the jar along with a few coins.
  4. On next Akshaya Tritiya, give what is in the jar to a cause you choose.

Get ready

Shopping List

Tick things off as you go, or print the list for the Indian store.

Shopping list

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