Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of the waxing Moon in Vaisakha, falls within the weeks of Rongali Bihu. In Assam it is a quiet day, kept mainly in the towns: gold is bought, new ventures are begun, and offerings are made in Vishnu temples. Whatever is given or started today is held never to diminish.
The story
The day is linked to Parashurama, whose legend reaches the far north-east: at Parshuram Kund, on the Lohit river in Arunachal, he is said to have washed away the sin of killing his mother.
Assam's goldsmiths, centred on Barpeta and Jorhat, make jewellery of a style of their own: the junbiri, the dholbiri and the gamkharu.
How it is kept
- GoldBought as wealth that stays.
- DaanFood and water are given away.
- PujaIn Vishnu and Lakshmi temples.
- BeginningsAn auspicious day for a house or a business.
Why this date
Akshaya Tritiya is the Tritiya of the bright fortnight of Vaisakha, on the day it is present at midday.
Akshaya Tritiya in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday | |
| 2026 | Sunday | |
| 2027 | Saturday | |
| 2028 | Thursday | |
| 2029 | Wednesday | |
| 2030 | Sunday |
More Assamese festivals
15 AprilBohag Bihuব'হাগ বিহু
14 AprilGoru Bihuগৰু বিহু
25 JulyShayan Ekadashiশয়ন একাদশী
29 JulyGuru Purnimaগুৰু পূৰ্ণিমা
2 AprilHanuman Jayantiহনুমান জয়ন্তী
28 AugustRakhi Bandhanৰাখী বন্ধন
Where to see Akshaya Tritiya
In Assam
- Hayagriva Madhava Temple, HajoAssamThe chief Vishnu temple of Lower Assam.
- BarpetaAssamKnown for its goldsmiths as well as its satra.
- Fancy Bazaar, GuwahatiAssamThe city's jewellery market, in the old trading quarter.
Across India
- Parshuram KundArunachal PradeshThe pool on the Lohit, bathed in at Makar Sankranti.
- PuriOdishaThe building of the Rath Yatra chariots begins.
- GangotriUttarakhandThe Himalayan shrines open for the summer.