Akshaya Tritiya 1988
The undiminishing third — an all-day auspicious muhurta for beginnings and gold.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)05:31
- Madhyahna puja muhurat10:39 – 13:14
- Fasting window (tithi)1988-04-18 · 13:30 → 12:21
- Parana (tithi ends)12:21
Festival days follow the classical attribution rules — udaya (sunrise), pradosha (evening), nishita (midnight), madhyahna or aparahna vyapini as each festival prescribes — computed for Kashi/Varanasi (IST). Regional observance can differ by a day in some years.
Read the Akshaya Tritiya puja vidhi, vrat rules and kathaAkshaya Tritiya — Frequently Asked Questions
When is Akshaya Tritiya celebrated?
On the Tritiya of the Shukla Paksha of Vaishakha, in summer — the third day of the bright fortnight. For this year's date, see the date shown above.
Why is Akshaya Tritiya considered so auspicious?
Akshaya means 'that which does not diminish'. The day is an abujh muhurta, held so wholesome that anything begun, given or acquired on it endures and grows. Several great beginnings — the Treta Yuga, the Ganga's descent, the writing of the Mahabharata — are placed on it.
Is buying gold necessary on Akshaya Tritiya?
No. The day's traditional heart is charity and the worship of Vishnu and Lakshmi. Buying gold is a later, popular custom drawn from the idea that what is gained today will not diminish, but it is not a requirement.
What charity is recommended on Akshaya Tritiya?
Giving to those in need is the day's foremost act. As it falls in summer, the gift of a filled water-pot, cooling foods, a fan or slippers, along with food, sesame and cloth, is especially valued.
Other major festivals in 1988
- Makar Sankranti — 14 January 1988
- Vasant Panchami — 23 January 1988
- Maha Shivaratri — 16 February 1988
- Holika Dahan — 3 March 1988
- Holi — 4 March 1988
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 18 March 1988
- Ram Navami — 26 March 1988
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 15 July 1988
- Guru Purnima — 29 July 1988
- Nag Panchami — 17 August 1988
- Raksha Bandhan — 27 August 1988
- Krishna Janmashtami — 2 September 1988
- Hartalika Teej — 14 September 1988
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 15 September 1988
- Anant Chaturdashi — 24 September 1988
- Pitru Paksha begins — 26 September 1988
- Sharad Navratri begins — 11 October 1988
- Durga Ashtami — 18 October 1988
- Maha Navami — 19 October 1988
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 20 October 1988
- Karwa Chauth — 28 October 1988
- Dhanteras — 6 November 1988
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 8 November 1988
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 9 November 1988
- Govardhan Puja — 10 November 1988
- Bhai Dooj — 11 November 1988
- Chhath Puja — 15 November 1988
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 23 November 1988
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 23 November 1988
- Hindu Festivals 1988 →