Akshaya Tritiya 2020
The undiminishing third — an all-day auspicious muhurta for beginnings and gold.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)05:25
- Madhyahna puja muhurat10:37 – 13:13
- Fasting window (tithi)2020-04-25 · 11:50 → 13:21
- Parana (tithi ends)13:21
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 2020
- Makar Sankranti — 15 January 2020
- Vasant Panchami — 30 January 2020
- Maha Shivaratri — 21 February 2020
- Holika Dahan — 9 March 2020
- Holi — 10 March 2020
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 25 March 2020
- Ram Navami — 2 April 2020
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 23 June 2020
- Guru Purnima — 5 July 2020
- Nag Panchami — 25 July 2020
- Raksha Bandhan — 3 August 2020
- Krishna Janmashtami — 11 August 2020
- Hartalika Teej — 21 August 2020
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 22 August 2020
- Anant Chaturdashi — 1 September 2020
- Pitru Paksha begins — 2 October 2020
- Sharad Navratri begins — 17 October 2020
- Durga Ashtami — 24 October 2020
- Maha Navami — 25 October 2020
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 25 October 2020
- Karwa Chauth — 4 November 2020
- Dhanteras — 13 November 2020
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 14 November 2020
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 14 November 2020
- Govardhan Puja — 16 November 2020
- Bhai Dooj — 16 November 2020
- Chhath Puja — 20 November 2020
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 30 November 2020
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 30 November 2020
- Hindu Festivals 2020 →