Akshaya Tritiya (Gaj Kesari yoga and a special day to multiply your success)

Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated as the day of abundance and prosperity. It is said that any endeavour started on this day is bound to yield multiplied results. That's why people usually commence business, buy gold or perform ceremonies on this propitious day, due to the belief that it multiplies the blessings. Moreover, this day is believed to nullify the negative effects of your horoscope (for muhurta purpose). So Akshaya Tritiya has all the goodies packed in one day. It falls in the month of Chitra/Chaitra, usually between April and May during the Shukla Paksha Tritiya.

In 2025, Moon conjuncts Jupiter in Taurus forming Gaj Kesari yoga once in 12 years. 'Akshaya' means eternal, everlasting, ever-growing and inexhaustible while 'Tritiya' means the third tithi (third lunar day).

Although shukla paksha tritiya comes every month, Akshaya Tritiya holds immense importance as both the Sun and Moon are exalted on this day in Aries and Taurus respectively. The Sun and Moon are the luminaries—the Sun created earth while the Moon created life conditions on it. They are the significators of the Father and Mother, Shiva and Parvati, Day and Night, in essence, they represent the duality that pervades the universe.

Origin of Akshaya Tritiya

According to the Puranas, Akshaya Patra is a vessel that provides abundance to its possessor. Akshaya Patra emerged from the Samudra Mandan (churning of the cosmic ocean) on this very day. Also, in the epic tale of Mahabharata, it is said that Lord Surya gifted the Akshaya Patra to the Pandavas on this very day when they were in dire need to ensure they would not go hungry and would always have food to offer to others as well in abundance. Thus the day was given the name, Akshaya Tritiya. This day carries the energy of Akshaya in it.

Many other Puranic stories are associated with Akshaya Tritiya day:

• Lord Parashurama (Venus), the 6th avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born on this day.

• Mahabharata was narrated by Rishi Ved Vyasa to Lord Ganesha on this day.

• Lord Krishna bestowed an endless supply of food to his childhood friend Sudama on this day.

• Lord Kubera became the treasurer of wealth on this day.

• Annapoorna Devi (Goddess of food) was born on this day.

• Goddess Ganga was pleased by King Bhagiratha’s austere penance and agreed to descend on earth as river Ganga on this day.

• Adi Shankaracharya recited the Kanakadhara Stotram towards Goddess Lakshmi on this day.

• Treta Yuga (when Lord Ram was born) started on this day.

• The construction of the annual Rath Yatra chariot of Puri Jagannath temple begins on this day.

Special Activities on Akshaya Tritiya

Various dharmic activities can also be performed on this day for greater benefits. These include poojas, homas such as Ganesha homa, Lakshmi Kubera homa or Lakshmi Narayana homa. Charitable acts, services, group prayers, meditations, feeding animals (especially cows), planting trees are recommended. It is important to maintain a dharmic intention and resonate with the auspiciousness of the day.