Akshaya Thrithi, Hindu Festival Stories, The Bowl of Bounty

During their exile in forests, the Pandav brothers roamed the forests in search of food and shelter. One day a group of sages arrived at their abode in forest. When the eldest brother, Yudhisthira learned from his wife Draupadi that there is no food to serve the sages, he went in search of food. He arrived at the temple of Thirumanthurai temple where he for asked divine intervention. The God appeared and granted him with Akshaya Patram. It was the day o Akshaya Thrithi.
Yudhisthira served the sages with food from the bowl of bounty. He also used it for the merit of masses.