Anant Chaturdashi is a significant Hindu festival observed on the 14th day (Chaturdashi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapada. It holds religious importance primarily for the worship of Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped in his infinite (Anant) form. Additionally, it marks the final day of the 10-day Ganesh Utsav, concluding with the immersion (Visarjan) of Lord Ganesha’s idols in water bodies. Let’s dive deeper into the auspicious timings, the spiritual significance, and the story associated with this festival.
Table of Contents
Auspicious Timings
In 2024, Anant Chaturdashi will be celebrated on 17th September.
| Anant Chaturdashi Tithi Begins | 16th September 2024 | 3:10 PM |
| Anant Chaturdashi Tithi Ends | 17th September 2024 | 11:44 AM |
| Puja Muhurat | 17th September 2024 | 06:07 AM to 11:44 AM |
Choghadiya Muhurat for Ganesh Visarjan
On Anant Chaturdashi, many people perform the final immersion (Visarjan) of Lord Ganesha’s idols. Here are the best Choghadiya Muhurat timings for the ceremony:
| Morning Muhurat | 7:45 AM to 9:15 AM |
| Afternoon Muhurat | 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM |
Significance of Anant Chaturdashi
The word “Anant” means infinite or eternal, representing Lord Vishnu’s infinite and all-encompassing nature. Anant Chaturdashi is observed to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu for stability, happiness, and spiritual growth.
Symbolism of Anant Sutra:
On this day, devotees observe a ritual involving the tying of a sacred thread called Anant Sutra. This thread is usually colored with kumkum or turmeric, and it contains 14 knots, symbolizing 14 worlds in Hindu cosmology. The Sutra is worn for protection and to ensure that the wearer is blessed with prosperity and protection from all misfortunes.
- Men tie this thread on their left arm, while women tie it on their right arm.
- The ritual of wearing the Anant Sutra also symbolizes a commitment to righteousness and devotion to Lord Vishnu.
Anant Chaturdashi is also associated with resolving financial difficulties and ensuring the well-being of the family. It is believed that performing the Anant Vrat with devotion helps remove all obstacles from one’s life, ensuring long-term success and peace.
The Legend of Anant Chaturdashi
Two major legends are linked to the observance of Anant Chaturdashi, one from the Mahabharata and another involving a sage and his wife. Here is a detailed exploration:
The Story of Yudhishthira
In the Mahabharata, after the Pandavas lost their kingdom and wealth in a game of dice, Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, sought Lord Krishna’s guidance to regain their lost fortune. Lord Krishna advised him to observe the Anant Chaturdashi Vrat to please Lord Vishnu. By following the vrat rituals and worshipping Vishnu in his Anant form, Yudhishthira was able to recover his lost wealth and kingdom. This story signifies the importance of devotion and faith in overcoming adversities.
The Story of Sage Kaundinya and Sushila
Another popular story revolves around Sage Kaundinya and his wife Sushila. According to the legend, Sushila observed the Anant Vrat with full devotion. She tied the sacred thread with 14 knots around her wrist, praying for the prosperity and well-being of her family. However, her husband, Kaundinya, dismissed this ritual as mere superstition. In a fit of disbelief, he threw the sacred thread into the fire. Shortly afterward, the couple started experiencing a series of misfortunes and financial losses.
Realizing his mistake, Kaundinya set out on a journey to find the Anant thread and seek forgiveness from Lord Vishnu. After a long penance, Lord Vishnu appeared before him and forgave his misdeeds. He also restored Kaundinya’s lost wealth and prosperity, thus emphasizing the power of faith and the significance of the Anant Vrat.
These stories illustrate the eternal nature of Lord Vishnu’s blessings, which help devotees overcome difficulties, misfortunes, and challenges in life.
Ganesh Visarjan and its Significance
Anant Chaturdashi also marks the culmination of the Ganesh Utsav, a 10-day festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The festival begins on Ganesh Chaturthi, when devotees bring idols of Lord Ganesha to their homes, temples, or pandals. Over the course of 10 days, prayers, rituals, and celebrations take place to honor Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and prosperity.
On Anant Chaturdashi, devotees perform the Visarjan (immersion) of Lord Ganesha’s idol in rivers, lakes, or the sea, symbolizing his return to his heavenly abode. The process is carried out with great enthusiasm, music, and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya”. The immersion marks the end of the festivities and a promise for the deity’s return in the next year.
Important Mantras to chant during Anant Chaturdashi
1. Anant Sutra Mantra
During the worship of the sacred Anant thread (अनंत सूत्र), this mantra can be chanted to invoke Lord Vishnu’s blessings:
अनंत संसार महासमुद्रे मघ्नं समभ्युद्धर वासुदेव।
अनंतरूपे विनियोजयस्व ह्रानंतसूत्राय नमो नमस्ते॥
This mantra praises the infinite (अनंत) nature of Lord Vishnu, requesting him to uplift the devotees from worldly difficulties and to grant protection.
2. Vishnu Strotra
Chanting the Vishnu Stotra is common during Anant Chaturdashi, as Lord Vishnu is the main deity worshipped on this day. One of the widely chanted verses is:
शांताकारं भुजंगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशम्।
विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभांगम्॥
लक्ष्मीकांतं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यम्।
वंदे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम्॥
3. Vishnu Sahasranama
The Vishnu Sahasranama (1000 names of Lord Vishnu) is also recited on Anant Chaturdashi. Even reciting a few verses from this sacred text is considered highly auspicious during the puja.
4. Ganesh Mantra
Since Anant Chaturdashi also marks the day of Ganesh Visarjan, mantras dedicated to Lord Ganesh can be chanted. For example:ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
It is important to light ghee Diyas and Incense while offering prayers to Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganesh.
1. When is Anant Chaturdashi celebrated?
Anant Chaturdashi is celebrated on the 14th day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. In 2024, it will be celebrated on 17th September.
2. What is the significance of Anant Chaturdashi?
Anant Chaturdashi is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu in his infinite form. Observing the Anant Vrat helps devotees overcome challenges and attain eternal prosperity and happiness.
3. What is the Anant Sutra, and how is it worn?
The Anant Sutra is a sacred thread with 14 knots, worn after the Anant Chaturdashi Puja. Men tie it on their left arm, and women on their right arm. It symbolizes protection and prosperity.
4. Why is Ganesh Visarjan performed on Anant Chaturdashi?
Ganesh Visarjan marks the end of the 10-day Ganesh Utsav. On Anant Chaturdashi, devotees immerse Lord Ganesha’s idols in water with prayers for his return in the next year.