gujarati
Akha Teej / Akshaya Tritiya
અક્ષય તૃતીયા
April–May · 1 day
Akha Teej — Akshaya Tritiya in Sanskrit — falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakha (April-May). "Akshaya" means undiminishing: the belief is that any meaningful action begun on this day, from charity to a new business to a marriage, will keep returning value rather than fading. Unlike most auspicious dates that need a pandit to pick the exact muhurat, Akha Teej is whole-day auspicious — Gujaratis call it one of the saade-teen muhurat (three-and-a-half ideal days) of the year. For Gujarati Jain families, the day carries deeper weight: it marks the day Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankara, broke his year-long fast with sugarcane juice — the founding moment of the Varshi Tap fasting tradition still kept today.
What to do
Morning Lakshmi-Vishnu puja
EssentialA short morning puja to Vishnu and Lakshmi — flowers, incense, a sweet, and the day's first intentions. Many Gujarati business families also open new ledgers or set fresh fiscal intentions today.
Gold purchase
Many Gujarati families buy gold on this day — even a one-gram coin keeps the tradition. Indian jewelers in the US run their largest promotions of the year around Akha Teej.
Varshi Tap parana (Jain)
For Jain families, Akha Teej is the day to break Varshi Tap — the year-long alternating fast commemorating Rishabhdev's first meal of sugarcane juice. The parana ceremony is held at Jain temples and centers.
Starting new ventures
Akha Teej is considered the year's most reliable day to begin something — a business, a project, a partnership, a major purchase, or simply a personal commitment. No pandit-confirmed muhurat needed; the whole day is auspicious.
Getting ready
Identify any new venture, business decision, or purchase you want to begin on this day
home
Book gold appointment at Indian jeweler if buying in person
home
For Jain families: confirm Varshi Tap parana program at local Jain center
community
Set up home puja altar: Lakshmi-Vishnu murti, flowers, incense, sweet, akshat
home
If business owner: prepare a fresh ledger for opening
home
Morning puja, then planned action (gold purchase, signing, donation)
ritual
In the diaspora
Akha Teej in the US is anchored by two industries: Indian jewelers and Jain centers. Tanishq, Malabar Gold, and family-owned Indian jewelers across Edison, Houston, Atlanta, Bay Area, and Chicago run their largest promotions of the year around the day — even a small gold coin keeps the tradition. Online options (BlueStone, Vummidi via shipping) have grown but most families still go in person. Jain centers — JCSC in California, Siddhachalam in New Jersey, Jain Center of Greater Boston and others — host Varshi Tap parana programs, where members who completed the year-long alternating fast break it with sugarcane juice in a community ceremony. A simple home puja to Lakshmi and Vishnu is the default for everyone else.
When is Akha Teej?
- Akha Teej 2025
- April 30, 2025
- Akha Teej 2026
- April 19, 2026
- Akha Teej 2027
- May 9, 2027
Save to your calendar
Add Akha Teej 2027 (2027-05-09) — free, no account needed.
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