Akṣaya Tṛtīyā 1908: San Francisco, California

Akṣaya Tṛtīyā (the third day of Vaiśākha's bright half) is one of the rarest tithis in the Hindu calendar: a svayaṃsiddha muhūrta, a self-proved auspicious moment that requires no external calculation. Whatever is started, given, or sown on this day bears akṣaya phala: undying, inexhaustible fruit.

The Purāṇas record that on this day the Satya Yuga began, Devī Annapūrṇā appeared at Vārāṇasī, the Gaṅgā descended to Earth, and Lord Paraśurāma was born to the sage Jamadagni. Lord Kubera received his celestial riches on Akṣaya Tṛtīyā; Lord Sūrya gave Yudhiṣṭhira the inexhaustible Akṣaya Pātra vessel from which food never ran out: a direct echo of the tithi's name.

The day is celebrated across India as Akhā Tīj. Gold and silver bought today are believed to grow and multiply; more deeply the tradition points to charitable giving (providing food, water, umbrellas, and footwear to those in need during summer) as the most enduring investment one can make.

In Jainism, this day commemorates Ṛṣabhanātha (Ādinātha), the first Tīrthaṅkara, breaking a year-long fast with sugarcane juice. The day is therefore the most sacred date on the Jain calendar.