Akshaya Tritiya 2031

The third day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha is called Akhatrij in Gujarat and Akshaya Tritiya in many other regions. It is associated with giving, worship and beginning good work. Hindu and Jain traditions have distinct stories about this day; both are told separately here.

Krishna told Yudhishthira about a merchant while explaining Akshaya Tritiya. A merchant named Dharma lived in the town of Shakala. He spoke the truth, treated people kindly and respected the gods and Brahmins.

One day he heard about the value of bathing, worship and giving on the third day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha. He learned that the merit of good deeds done with faith on this day was called akshaya, or lasting. Dharma decided to observe the vow and give what he could.

On that day he went to the Ganga. He bathed and offered water in remembrance of his ancestors and the gods. Returning home, he gathered things to give. He prepared pots of water and food. He gave barley, wheat, chickpeas, sattu flour, curd, cooked food and preparations made from sugarcane and milk. He also gave gold according to his means.

His wife worried about their home and family. How would they meet the household’s needs if he gave so much away? She tried to stop him. Dharma nevertheless continued to give sincerely. He did not treat wealth as life’s only support. Remembering God, he shared what he had received.

Time passed. At the end of his life he died remembering Vasudeva. According to the story, he was born again as the king of Kushavati. He became prosperous, but did not become less generous.

As king he held large yajna ceremonies and gave gifts to those taking part. He gave cows, land and gold. He also helped poor and distressed people. Even while enjoying royal comforts, he did not lose himself in his own convenience. The story says that his prosperity did not run out despite all he gave. Krishna described this as the fruit of the gifts he had made with faith on Akshaya Tritiya in his earlier life.

The Jain story of Akhatrij concerns Bhagwan Rishabhdev and Shreyans Kumar. Rishabhdev had left royal life and begun a life of spiritual discipline. After taking initiation, he travelled through villages and towns. People had known him as a king, but did not know the proper way to offer food to a monk.

They wished to give him wealth, valuables and other gifts with devotion. Rishabhdev did not accept them. He had not left home to acquire possessions. As he did not receive food suitable for a monk’s discipline, his period of fasting continued.

On his travels he reached Hastinapur. Shreyans Kumar saw him coming and hurried to meet him with joy. As he bowed, he remembered an earlier birth. That memory helped him understand the proper way to offer suitable food to a monk.

At that very time pots of fresh sugarcane juice had arrived for him. Shreyans offered the juice respectfully. Rishabhdev joined his two hands to form a bowl and held them out. Shreyans poured the juice into them. Rishabhdev accepted it and ended his long fast.

People were delighted to see this. The story describes the gods showering flowers and celebrating. Kings and townspeople came to Shreyans. They asked how he had understood the right way when Rishabhdev had accepted none of the wealth and gifts they had offered. Shreyans told them about remembering his earlier birth and explained how to offer suitable food to a monk.

The memory of this breaking of the fast on Vaishakha’s bright third day became central to Akhatrij in Jain tradition. Rishabhdev continued his travels, but Shreyans’s heartfelt offering remained part of the tradition of giving and serving monks.

Akshaya Tritiya, also called Akhatrij in Gujarat, is traditionally valued as an auspicious day for charity, worship and constructive beginnings. “Akshaya” expresses the belief that the merit of sincere good deeds endures. Its Hindu vrat-katha emphasizes generosity; Jain tradition honours Rishabhdev's breaking of his long fast. Customs differ by family and region, and buying gold is a custom rather than an obligation.

Hindu families worship Vishnu or Lakshmi according to their custom and give food, water and useful things. Some begin new work or make purchases. Buying gold is not a required ritual. Jain devotees observing Varshitap break their fast and remember Rishabhdev’s first acceptance of offered food. The two traditions have distinct religious contexts.

Hindu Akhatrij observances are widespread in Gujarat and other Indian regions; Odisha associates the day with Jagannath's chariot construction and Chandan Yatra. Jain Varshitap parana honours Rishabhdev and Shreyans Kumar; it is a distinct Jain religious meaning.