Akshaya Tritiya Puja

Significance and when it is done

Akshaya Tritiya Puja (Hindi: अक्षय तृतीया पूजा; Sanskrit: अक्षयतृतीयापूजनम्) belongs to the category of Festival pujas. It is performed on the ever-auspicious third tithi of Vaishakh Shukla, and its purpose is lasting prosperity. The deities honoured are Vishnu and Lakshmi.

The word akshaya carries the sense of that which does not diminish. For a family planning the puja, the day is treated as one on which devotional acts are undertaken with a steady, unhurried mind. The observance is not tied to a single outcome; it is a traditional occasion for gratitude and for seeking the continued wellbeing of the household.

Because the tithi is regarded as ever-auspicious, families often combine the puja with other undertakings they consider auspicious. The puja itself is simple in structure and usually takes about 1 h, depending on the tradition followed and how much is included.

Who performs it and who should attend

A qualified pandit normally conducts the ritual, reciting the mantras and guiding the family through the steps. The householder or a senior family member typically sits as the yajman, the one for whom the puja is performed, and offers the items as directed.

Family members may attend and participate in the offerings, the aarti and the final prasad. There is no bar on children being present; many families include them so that the practice is passed on. If a family member cannot be physically present, the puja can be done online, with a family member at home carrying out the physical steps while the pandit leads by video call. In that arrangement, the person at home should keep the samagri ready beforehand so the flow of the ritual is not interrupted.

Vidhi step by step (outline)

What follows is an outline. The exact sequence varies by region and by the pandit's own tradition, and the pandit conducting the puja will set the order.

• Sankalp: the yajman states the intention of the puja and the occasion.
• Ganesh and Vishnu smaran: remembrance of Ganesh, then of Vishnu and Lakshmi, before the main rites.
• Kalash sthapana: the kalash is placed and honoured, with Ganga jal where available.
• Invocation and welcome: the deities are invoked and offered a seat, water for the feet, and arghya.
• Snan and vastra: ceremonial bathing and offering of cloth.
• Shringar and pushpa: flowers and garland are offered.
• Naivedya: fruits and sweets are presented.
• Dhoop, deep and aarti: incense, the diya and camphor are offered.
• Pradakshina and pranam: circumambulation and salutation.
• Kshama prarthana: a prayer asking pardon for any omission during the ritual.

There is no havan in this puja as listed here. Any additional rite a family wishes to include would be a separate matter to discuss with the pandit.

Preparing the samagri and the space

Keeping the samagri assembled in one place before the pandit begins makes the 1 h pass smoothly. The usual list is:

• Roli (kumkum)
• Haldi
• Akshat (unbroken rice)
• Moli (sacred thread)
• Supari
• Paan leaves
• Coconut
• Ghee
• Diya and cotton wicks
• Camphor
• Incense sticks
• Flowers and garland
• Fruits
• Sweets for naivedya
• Ganga jal
• Kalash
• Gold or silver item
• Barley
• Water pot for daan

The space is cleaned and, where the family customarily does so, a rangoli or simple decoration is laid. A clean cloth is spread for the murti or picture of Vishnu and Lakshmi, and the kalash is set in place. Diyas should be kept where they will not be knocked over, and the camphor and incense kept within easy reach of the person offering them.

Regional variations

Traditions differ, and families should follow the practice of their own lineage. North Indian and South Indian observances vary in sequence, in the mantras used and in the emphasis given to particular offerings. Smarta and Vaishnava households may differ in the order of invocation and in the prayers recited. The reckoning of the month also differs: amanta and purnimanta calendars count the months differently, though the tithi observed for this puja remains the third tithi of Vaishakh Shukla. Where a family is unsure, the pandit conducting the puja can advise according to their sampradaya.

After the puja: prasad, daan, dos and don'ts

After the aarti, the prasad is distributed among those present, and the naivedya is shared with family members who could not attend. Daan, or giving, is a customary part of the day; the water pot listed in the samagri is kept for this purpose, and families give according to their means and their family practice.

Practical points that help the day go well:

• Keep the samagri ready before the start, especially for an online puja.
• Follow the pandit's instructions on the order of offerings rather than improvising.
• Observe the fast or dietary custom your family normally keeps, if any.
• Treat the day's observances as a household practice, not as a transaction with a promised result.

For anything relating to an individual's own chart or personal muhurat, it is best to consult a qualified jyotishi. The puja itself is a devotional occasion, and its value lies in the doing of it.