Ananta Chaturdashi

Anant Chaturdashi 2015 date is 27 September. Ananta Chaturdashi - worshipping Lord Vishnu & a spectacular farewell to Lord Ganesha comes 10 days after Ganesh Chaturthi. Ananta Chaturdashi is observed on the 14th day of Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month, as per the Hindu calendar. Anant Chaturdashi is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. People worship him to invoke his blessings and to regain the lost wealth. At the same time, Ananta Chaturdashi is celebrated on a huge note, as the last day of the popular Hindu festival, Ganesh Chaturthi.

Some facts about Anant Chaturdashi

People worship Lord Vishnu as Lord Ananta on Anant Chaturdashi. Ananta means the eternal one. Along with Lord Vishnu, Sheshnaga is also worshipped on Anant Chaturdashi.

A solemn promise or an oath is taken, which is observed in the form of fast for fourteen years. It is said that the one, who observes this fast, receives the blessings of Lord Vishnu.

From the popular legend of Kaundilya and Sushila (mentioned below), associated with the significance of Anant Chaturdashi, one gets to know, that one should observe this fast, in order to win back the lost wealth.

Anant Chaturdashi: Legend of Kaundilya and Sushila

While celebrating Anant Chaturdashi in 2015, its a good idea to know about legends associated with this festival. Sushila was the daughter of a Brahmin named Sumant. Her mother, Diksha died. Sumant married Karkash, who used to give Sushila, a lot of trouble. Sushila got married to Kaundilya and they ran away far from Sushilas parents. Once, Kaundilya went to take bath in a river. Meanwhile, Sushila met a group of women. They told her to observe the fast of Lord Ananta, in order to get blessed with good wealth.

They told her the procedure to celebrate this festival. They told her that food items like Gharga and anarsee are prepared and are also given to the Brahmins. Sheshnaga is being worshipped with oil lamp and flowers. A string called Ananta, which has 14 knots and is colored with kumkum is kept and worshipped before Lord Vishnu. Then, one should tie it on ones hand. This fast is kept for 14 years, to get good results. Sushila did the same and reaped good benefits. She and Kaundilya became rich. When Kaundilya came to know about it, he, out of pride, refused to accept the fact, that the reason behind his success is also, the blessings of Lord Vishnu. Rather, he gave all the credit to himself and his hard work. Out of anger, he pulled open the sacred knot from Sushilas hand and threw it in the fire. Soon they became poor and finally, Kaundilya realized his mistake. He went on a deep search for Lord Vishnu, to say sorry for his mistakes. But, the search was very difficult. He asked to a mango tree, then a cow, the lakes, then the bull, the donkey and at the end, the elephant, about Lord Vishnu, but, he only got the answer no. He was so guilty, that he decided to hang himself. But, suddenly a saint appeared in front of him, and saved him. He took Kaundilya to a dark cave, where suddenly a bright light appeared and that was Lord Vishnu. He realized that it was Lord Vishnu only, who saved him. He asked for forgiveness and Lord Vishnu or Ananta, told him that if he kept this fast on Ananta Chaturdashi for consecutively 14 years, then he will free himself from all the sins and Kaundilya promised to observe this fast with all his devotion.

Anant Chaturdashi: Rituals performed during worship

Lord Ananta is worshipped on this day. The fast is being observed in his name. Salt is avoided during the fast. One can have fruits and milk. People wake up early in the morning and take bath. Then prasada is made. Incense, sandalwood, kumkum, turmeric, oil lamps and flowers are essential items for pooja. A string with 14 knots colored with kumkum and turmeric is kept before God Vishnu. Aarti is performed and prasada is offered to Lord Vishnu. Then, boys wear this sanctified thread in their right arm and women in their left. This fast should be observed for 14 years consecutively on Ananta Chaturadashi.

Ananta Chaturdashi: Extravagant end to Ganeshaotsav

On Ananta Chaturdashi, people also bid goodbye to their favorite Lord Ganesha. Ganeshotsav is being celebrated all over India with all the hustle and bustle. It begins on Shukla Chaturthi, and Ananta Chaturdashi, marks the end of this festival. It is a ten day long festival to celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesha.

Lord Ganesha is the God of wisdom and prosperity for Hindus. They take his name, whenever they start a new task or event. His birthday is also given a lot of importance. People celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi for almost a period of ten days. Different groups of people set-up and decorate beautiful pandals and keep Ganeshas Idol in these pandals. They gather together at these pandals, worship Lord Ganesha and enjoy this festival by keeping different cultural functions and events on each day.

Anant Chaturdashi, being the last day, is very important. Lord Ganeshas idol is immersed in water on this day. People gather in large procession. Dancing and singing, they take Lord Ganeshs idol, which they establish in beautiful Pandals on the first day, in beautiful chariots, in order to immerse them in the river. It is immensely spectacular to watch thousands of people on road, dancing, singing and cheering the slogans like Ganpati bappa moraya, purcha varashi laukar ya. Through these cheers, people request their loving god to come early next year.

Therefore, the day of Anant Chaturdashi is of a lot of significance for the Hindus. It is a dual festival, dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu and a farewell to Lord Ganeshas ten day long festival of Ganeshaotsav. Here wishing you a very happy and prosperous Ananta Chaturdashi 2015.