How to Perform Akshaya Tritiya Pooja at Home?
On March 11, 2025Akshaya Tritiya, also called Akha Teej, is a very auspicious day for Hindus. The belief is that celebrating the festival by observing the proper rituals can open the doors to wealth, and one can gain the blessings of Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. Akshaya Tritiya is usually the third day of Shukla Paksha in Vaishakha (April-May).
Akshaya Tritiya is also an auspicious day to begin new ventures, conducting marriage ceremonies or purchasing gold, vehicles, property, etc.
‘Akshaya means ‘never decreasing,’ while Tritiya means ‘the third day of the lunar fortnight’. It is believed that whatever one does on this day will keep increasing in terms of acquiring wealth, success, and prosperity. People also observe a fast and perform acts of charity on this day to gain divine blessings.
Many people perform Akshaya Tritiya Pooja at home as well, to attract blessings like wealth, good health, and abundance.
Hindus and Jains celebrate the festival with great fervor.
Goddess Lakshmi is Lord Vishnu's consort. Vishnu is one of the Trimurti in the Hindu pantheon. She has the power to bestow good fortune, prosperity, and all kinds of wealth, both material and spiritual, to her devotees.
Legends behind Akshaya Tritiya
There are many legends surrounding Akshaya Tritiya. Here are some of them.
Draupadi and Durvasa
While living in exile in the forest, the Pandavas used to have many eminent sages as guests. However, they were not able to offer them food most of the time due to their austere lifestyle. This pained Draupadi, the wife of the Pandava princes. The eldest prince, Yudhishthira, prayed to Lord Surya (Sun god), and the latter gave him a bowl called Akshaya Patra, which would keep producing food until Draupadi had served all the guests and consumed her own meal. Once, Sage Durvasa, known for his temper, visited them. However, Draupadi had already eaten her meal. To prevent Draupadi from incurring Durvasa’s curse, Krishna ate a small particle left over in the bowl. Immediately, Durvasa felt sated, as if he had eaten to his heart’s content.
Legends behind Akshaya Tritiya
There are many legends surrounding Akshaya Tritiya. Here are some of them.
Draupadi and Durvasa
While living in exile in the forest, the Pandavas used to have many eminent sages as guests. However, they were not able to offer them food most of the time due to their austere lifestyle. This pained Draupadi, the wife of the Pandava princes. The eldest prince, Yudhishthira, prayed to Lord Surya (Sun god), and the latter gave him a bowl called Akshaya Patra, which would keep producing food until Draupadi had served all the guests and consumed her own meal. Once, Sage Durvasa, known for his temper, visited them. However, Draupadi had already eaten her meal. To prevent Draupadi from incurring Durvasa’s curse, Krishna ate a small particle left over in the bowl. Immediately, Durvasa felt sated, as if he had eaten to his heart’s content.
Attract the Energy of Undiminishing Prosperity! Join Our Akshaya Tritiya Ceremonies!
Birth of Parashurama Akshaya Tritiya is the birthday of Lord Parashurama, the 6th avatar of Lord Vishnu. Hence, the day is also called Parashurama Jayanti. Vyasa recites the Mahabharata One legend claims that Sage Vyasa began dictating the Mahabharata to Lord Ganesha, his scribe, on this day. Descent of Ganga Another legend says that the Ganges River descended to earth on this day. During the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage season, the Yamunotri and Gangotri temples are opened on Akshaya Tritiya. These temples close during the winter season due to heavy snowfall. They reopen on Abhijit Muhurat (an auspicious time) on Akshaya Tritiya. Sudama and Krishna Another legend links the festival to Sudama, the childhood friend of Lord Krishna. Supposedly, on this day, Sudama, who lived in poverty, went to visit Krishna in Dwarka to seek his help. Understanding his plight, Krishna blessed him with great wealth, though Sudama never mustered the courage to ask him for help. Kubera becomes the God of Wealth According to Hindu mythology, Kubera was appointed the god of wealth on this day. Significance in Jainism Jains celebrate Akshaya Tritiya to commemorate their first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, who ended his 400-day-long fast on this day by drinking sugarcane juice. Akshaya Tritiya Pooja Vidhi As part of the Akshaya Tritiya rituals, people observe a fast. They awake early in the morning, take a bath, and wear yellow clothes. Some may take a dip in a holy river. Begin the day by offering water to the Sun god. This is called Arghya. Do meditation and take Sankalpa (vow to conduct the Pooja with complete devotion). The house and Pooja area should be purified by sprinkling Gangajal. Keep the idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi on a wooden chowki in the Pooja area. Cover the chowki with a yellow cloth. If you have bought any gold or silver, place them near the deities. Make a paste of rose water and sandalwood powder. Apply a tilak on the idols. Take a Kalash (pot), apply a little turmeric on it, and make a Swastika symbol using sindoor. Fill the Kalash with water, add some kumkum, turmeric, and a few coins. Decorate the Kalash with a sprig of mango leaves, with the leaves facing upward. Keep a coconut on the neck of the Kalash and place it on the chowki. Light some incense and a ghee or oil lamp. Sit on a yellow seat. Chant the Mantra ‘Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha’ and seek Ganesha’s blessings by offering water, akshat, flowers, kalava, janeu, fruits and dakshina. Chant ‘Shreem’ to invoke Lakshmi’s blessings. Recite texts like Vishnu Sahasranama or Vishnu Chalisa. You can also chant Lakshmi Mantra or Lakshmi Stotra. Offer prayers, water, akshat, and mauli to the deities. Offer janeu to Vishnu and sindoor to Lakshmi. Offer chandan, flowers, incense sticks, and Tulsi to Vishnu and a lotus to Lakshmi. Make Bhog/Neivedya using milk, rice, or dal and offer it to the deities. Offer Aarti and distribute the Prasad to everyone at home.Attract the Energy of Undiminishing Prosperity! Join Our Akshaya Tritiya Ceremonies!
