Festival guide
Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya, on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakha, is considered one of the most auspicious days of the year — “akshaya” means never-diminishing. It is one of the few days on which many ceremonies need no separate muhurat.
Akshaya Tritiya dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday 20 April | Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya 19 Apr, 10:49 → 20 Apr, 07:28 |
| 2027 | Sunday 9 May | Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya 8 May, 11:43 → 9 May, 09:03 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi at sunrise.
Also known as: Akha Teej.
Story and significance
Tradition links the day to the birth of Parashurama, the descent of the Ganga, the beginning of the Treta Yuga and the Akshaya Patra, the inexhaustible vessel given to the Pandavas.
How Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated
- Buying gold or starting new ventures, in the belief that what begins today grows
- Charity — water pots, grain, clothes and fans in the summer heat
- Worship of Vishnu and Lakshmi
- Weddings and griha pravesh ceremonies
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Akshaya Tritiya 2026?
Akshaya Tritiya 2026 falls on Monday, 20 April 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Akshaya Tritiya 2027?
Akshaya Tritiya 2027 falls on Sunday, 9 May 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Akshaya Tritiya change every year?
Akshaya Tritiya is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Shukla Paksha tithi 3 of Vaishakha (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Akshaya Tritiya fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.