What is Akshay Tritiya?
Akshay Tritiya is one of the most special days in the Hindu calendar. It is also known as Akti or Akha Teej. It falls on the third day (Tritiya) of the bright half of the month Vaishakha.
The word “Akshay” means “something that never ends.” It refers to something that always grows and never fades away. On this day, people believe that any good action like charity or worship brings endless blessings.
For devotees of Lord Vishnu, especially those who follow Shri Krishna, this day holds deep spiritual value. It is a time to connect with the Lord through love, devotion, and selfless service.
Akshay Tritiya Date and Time in 2025
In this year, Akshay Tritiya 2025 will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 30.
Important Timings (Muhurat) for Akshay Tritiya 2025:
- Tritiya Tithi Begins: 5:31 PM on April 29
- Tritiya Tithi Ends: 2:12 PM on April 30
- Punya Kaal Muhurat (Best Time for Puja and Charity): 5:42 AM to 12:19 PM
This special time is known as Punya Kaal. It is considered the most powerful period to offer donations, do puja, chant mantras, or start any good work.
During this time, even the smallest act of charity becomes rewarding. Shri Krishna, who sees every devotee’s heart, accepts even the simplest offerings made with true love.
Why is Akshay Tritiya Celebrated?
Let’s know the stories of Akshay Tritiya;
Draupadi and Akshay Patra
During their time in the forest, the Pandavas had very little to eat. One day, guests came to visit. Draupadi had nothing to serve them. She prayed to Shri Krishna for help.
When the Lord arrived, He looked into her cooking vessel. He saw one single grain stuck at the bottom. He smiled, took it, and ate it with full satisfaction. That single grain, because it was accepted by the Lord, filled the stomachs of all guests. This story teaches us: Even one grain, when offered to Shri Krishna with love, becomes limitless.
Sudama’s Gift
Sudama was very poor but very devoted. His wife asked him to visit his friend Shri Krishna, who had become king. Sudama carried a small gift; a handful of poha. When he reached the palace, Shri Krishna welcomed him with tears in his eyes. He hugged him with great love.
Without asking for anything, Sudama was showered with wealth when he returned home. Why? Because Shri Krishna values devotion more than anything.
These stories of Akshay Tritiya are not just tales. They teach us how powerful love and faith in God can be
Akshay Tritiya Rituals and Puja
The Akshay Tritiya Rituals on this day are simple, peaceful, and full of devotion.
How to Perform Akshay Tritiya Puja:
- Wake up early before sunrise and take a holy bath.
- Wear clean, simple clothes. Sit in a peaceful place.
- Set up a photo or deity of Lord Vishnu or Shri Krishna.
- Offer tulsi leaves, water, flowers, incense, and sweets.
- Chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra with a calm and happy heart.
- Read or hear the Akshay Tritiya Vrat Katha (story).
- Give donations to the poor or to ISKCON temples.
These rituals help purify your heart. They bring you closer to Shri Krishna’s eternal love and protection.
Benefits of Donating on Akshay Tritiya
One of the most powerful things you can do on this day is offer charity.
The scriptures say, whatever you donate on Akshay Tritiya returns to you many times over, but not just in money. You receive spiritual strength, peace of mind, and divine blessings.
What to Donate on Akshay Tritiya?
There are plenty of things that you can donate on Akshay Tritiya.
- Cooked food (prasadam) or raw grains
- Giving food to the needy
- Water pots (matkas) for travellers
- Cows and Tulsi plants
- Bhagavad Gita or spiritual books
- Donations to ISKCON temples and food-for-life programs
The Bhagavad Gita (3.13) says:
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः।
भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात्॥
Meaning: Those who share food after offering it to God are freed from sin.
When you feed a hungry person or support temple services, Shri Krishna personally accepts your offering. He sees your devotion. He remembers your kindness forever.
Importance of Akshay Tritiya in Devotional Life
For a devotee, this day is more than just rituals. It is a time to grow in bhakti, or devotion.
Chanting the holy name even once with full attention on this day becomes a lifetime blessing.
You can start something new:
- Reading the Bhagavad Gita
- Offering food daily to Shri Krishna
- Donating monthly to temple seva
- Learning a new bhajan or prayer
Each small step you take on Akshay Tritiya will never be forgotten by the Lord.
As Shri Krishna says in the Gita (9.22):
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते |
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ||
Meaning: To those who serve Me with love, I give what they need and protect what they have.
Link to Dwapara Yuga and Shri Krishna
It is believed that on Akshay Tritiya, Satya Yuga and Treta Yuga began. It also marks the day when Shri Krishna gave Sudama his divine blessings.
In ISKCON teachings, it is said that serving Shri Krishna on this day purifies lifetimes of sins, and brings the devotee closer to eternal spiritual joy.
What to Do on Akshay Tritiya
Here are beautiful, heart-touching things you can do on Akshay Tritiya 2025:
1) Chant the Holy Names of the Lord
Spend time chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra:
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare”
Even one round (108 times) chanted with focus can cleanse the heart.
2) Read or Hear Bhagavad Gita
Read one or two verses from Bhagavad Gita with meaning. Try to apply its lesson in your life. You can also hear ISKCON lectures online from Srila Prabhupada or ISKCON Gurus.
3) Fasting with Devotion
- Keep a partial or full fast based on your ability.
- Eat only prasadam (sanctified food) after offering it to the Lord.
- Avoid onion, garlic, and grains if following Ekadashi-style fast.
This fast purifies the soul and attracts divine mercy.
4) Make Offerings to Krishna
Offer the Lord with tulsi leaves, fresh fruits or milk sweets. Decorate the idol with flowers, incense, and heartfelt prayers.
Remember: It is the love that counts, not the size of the offering.
Akshay Tritiya as a Step to Eternal Devotion
This sacred day is not just about charity or fasting. It is about becoming closer to God. It is about starting fresh in our spiritual journey, and planting a seed of love for Shri Krishna that will never die.
Whether you’re rich or poor, strong or weak; the Lord sees your love. Every mantra, every step, every donation made with bhakti becomes part of your eternal soul.
Let this Akshay Tritiya 2025 be the day you offer your heart to Shri Krishna.
