Anant Chaturthi or Chaturdashi is a significant Hindu festival, celebrated by both Hindus and Jains across many parts of India. It marks the end of the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festivities when devotees bid a heartfelt farewell to Lord Ganesha by immersing his idols in water bodies. But there’s more to Anant Chaturthi than just the Ganpati Visarjan; it is also dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his infinite form, known as Anant. On this day, many people observe fast (known as Anant Vrat) to put an end to their karmic reactions and sufferings.
This blog will help you learn more about Anant Chaturthi 2024, including everything from its date and timings to the puja vidhi (rituals) and significance.
Date and Timings of Anant Chaturthi 2024
Anant Chaturthi falls on the 14th day (Chaturdashi) of the Shukla paksha of the Bhadrapada month.
In 2024, Anant Chaturthi will be celebrated on 16th September (Monday). This is the day when devotees immerse Lord Ganesha’s idols in lakes, rivers, or the sea, marking the end of the Ganesh Utsav. Along with this, special prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu, seeking his blessings for an endless and prosperous life.
The specific timings of the festival depend on the Chaturthi tithi, which starts and ends based on the lunar calendar. The Chaturthi Tithi timings for 2024 are:
- Chaturthi Tithi Begins: at 03:10 PM on September 16, 2024
- Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 11:44 AM on September 17, 2024
The Significance of Anant Chaturthi
The word "Anant" in Sanskrit means "infinite" or "eternal." On this day, devotees pray to Lord Vishnu, who represents the endless energy that sustains the universe. The festival reminds devotees that while the Ganesh idols are immersed, the divine power of both Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnu remains eternal and omnipresent.
People observe a vrat (fast) on this day to seek the blessings of Anant Vishnu, with the hope of attaining long-term prosperity, peace, and happiness in their lives.
Also Read - How Many Names of Ganesha? Understanding the 12 Names of Lord Ganesha
Anant Chaturthi Puja Vidhi (Rituals)
The puja on Anant Chaturthi is a beautiful blend of devotion, rituals, and faith. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform the Anant Chaturthi Puja at home:
1. Preparation for the Puja
- Clean the house and the area where the puja will take place.
- Gather all the necessary items such as flowers, fruits, incense sticks, sandalwood paste, betel leaves, vermilion, and a small idol or image of Lord Vishnu.
If you're observing the fast, it's advised to abstain from grains and only consume fruits, milk, and water throughout the day.
2. Setting Up the Puja Altar
- Place an idol or picture of Lord Vishnu (in his Anant form) on a clean platform.
- Beside him, you can also place an idol of Lord Ganesha, as many families continue the Ganesh puja before the visarjan.
- Decorate the area with fresh flowers and light a lamp.
Also Read - The Symbolic Significance of Vighnaharta Ganesha Idol
3. Tying the Anant Sutra
- One of the key rituals of Anant Chaturthi is tying a sacred thread, called the Anant Sutra. The thread has 14 knots and is usually made of raw cotton or silk, dyed in turmeric.
- After Anant Chaturthi, men tie this thread on their right arm, while women tie it on their left wrist. This thread is believed to protect the wearer from evil, and bring prosperity, and long-term stability.
4. Reciting Mantras and Offering Prayers
- Begin the puja by offering flowers, rice, and vermilion to Lord Vishnu, chanting his name and praising his infinite form.
- Recite the Anant Vrat Katha, which narrates the story of how Lord Vishnu, in his Anant form, helped devotees overcome difficulties and attain peace.
- Offer sweets, coconut, and seasonal fruits to the deity.
5. The Ganesh Visarjan
- After completing the Vishnu puja, it’s time to immerse Lord Ganesha’s idol in a nearby water body. This ritual symbolizes the cycle of creation and dissolution and signifies that everything material is temporary, while the divine energy is eternal.
- Chant "Ganpati Bappa Morya" as you go ahead with the immersion, expressing gratitude and bidding farewell to Lord Ganesha, asking him to return soon next year.
Also Read - Ashoka Sundari: The Lesser-Known Sister of Lord Ganesha
Anant Chaturthi Vrat Katha
The story of Anant Chaturdashi revolves around Sage Sumant, his wife Diksha, and their daughter Sushila. After Diksha's death, Sumant remarried Karkasha, who was really harsh towards Sushila and troubled her often. As Sushila grew up, Sumant arranged her marriage to Sage Kaundinya. However, the couple really struggled with poverty and spent days wandering in the forests.
One day, on their way, Sushila observed some women worshiping Lord Anant and tying Anant Rakshasutra. Being curious about the process, she reached out to the group of women, asking them about the rituals. Here, one of the women explained to her about the Anant Chaudas vrat and how fruitful it is if followed with all the associated rituals. Listening to all this, Sushila also decided to do this vrat. After performing all the rituals, she tied the anant sutra in her hand. Soon, the couple became prosperous and started leading a happy life.
However, Kaundinya arrogantly believed their success was due to his efforts and untied the thread in her hand. This brought them back to their stage of poverty and misery. Learning about this, Kaundinya realized his mistake and decided to make up for his mistake. He performed a strong penance to please Lord Shri Hari. Consequently, Lord Vishnu appeared before him whereupon Kaudinya fell on his feet, asking for forgiveness. Lord Vishnu then asked him to follow a 14-year vow to set himself free from his sins and regain wealth, opulence, and happiness. After this, Kaudinya followed the instructions of the Lord and was able to restore his fortune.
Also Read - 4 Ganesha Mantras to Remove Obstacles & Achieve Success
Conclusion
Anant Chaturthi is not just about the farewell to Lord Ganesha but also a reminder of the eternal presence of divine power in our lives. Through the Anant Vrat, devotees seek peace, prosperity, and protection, with faith that the blessings of Lord Vishnu will guide them through life’s ups and downs.
Whether you’re observing the fast, tying the sacred thread, or performing the Ganesh visarjan, Anant Chaturthi offers an opportunity for self-reflection, devotion, and connection with the infinite.
May this Anant Chaturthi 2024 bring you endless blessings and joy!
