Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya (also known as Akha Teej), falling on 19 April,2026, is one of the most sacred and auspicious festivals in the Hindu and Jain calendars. In Sanskrit, the word Akshaya means "eternal" or "never diminishing," while Tritiya refers to the "third" lunar day.
It's the perfect day to seek blessings for wealth, health, and happiness by honouring Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh through sacred poojas and connecting with divine energies to invite lasting abundance into your life.
Step-by-Step Puja Procedure
Preparation:
Wake up during Brahma Muhurat (before sunrise), take a bath (ideally mixing in Ganga Jal), and wear clean, traditional attire (preferably yellow).
Setting the Altar:
Clean a space in the northeast or east of your home. Place a yellow or red cloth over a wooden platform (chowki) and arrange idols or images of Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi.
Kalash Sthapana:
Prepare a Kalash (sacred pot) with water, turmeric, kumkum, and coins. Place mango leaves in the mouth with a whole coconut on top, and draw a Swastika on the pot using sindoor.
The Sankalpa:
Before starting the Initial Worship, it helps to take a moment to state your Sankalpa (intention). Simply holding a bit of water and rice in your right hand while mentally stating your goals for the year ahead can help ground the ceremony.
Initial Worship:
Begin by worshipping Lord Ganesha with red flowers and modaks to ensure the ceremony remains uninterrupted.
Main Puja:
Apply a tilak of sandalwood paste and rose water to the idols. Offer yellow flowers and Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu while reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama. Offer lotus flowers, turmeric, and kumkum to Goddess Lakshmi while reciting the Lakshmi Stotram or Kanakadhara Stotra.
Offerings:
Present Akshata (unbroken rice mixed with turmeric) for family prosperity. If you have purchased gold or new valuables, place them near the idols to be blessed.
Bhog and Aarti:
Offer a Naivedya (bhog) of milk-based sweets, rice, or grains. Conclude with an Aarti using a ghee lamp or camphor and distribute the Prasad to your family.
Reciting Mantra
Recite 108 times, focusing on prosperity and blessings. Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. Lakshmi: Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah. Kuber: Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanyasamriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Svaha.
The Concept of Imperishable Merit
The "actual" reason for performing charity or prayers on this day is the belief that the Punya (spiritual merit) earned will never decrease over time. This is known as Akshaya Punya, a permanent credit in one’s "spiritual ledger" that persists through multiple lifetimes.
Swayam Siddha
Akshaya Tritiya is a Swayam Siddha Muhurat, it means the entire day is inherently pure and free from malefic planetary influences, making every second lucky for starting new ventures, marriages, or major investments.