Anant Chaturdashi is an important Hindu festival that is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm and marks the end of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Anant Chaturdashi is celebrated on the 14th day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadrapada. This year, the festival falls on 17th September. Here is everything you need to know about this festival:
Anant Chaturdashi 2024: Muhurat
The auspicious time to perform the puja may vary depending on local customs and individual traditions. According to Drik Pachang, the auspicious times to celebrate the occasion are as follows:
Anant Chaturdashi puja muhurat – 06:12 am to 11:44 am
Duration – 05 Hours 32 Minutes
Chaturdashi Tithi begins – 3:10 pm on 16th September 2024
Chaturdashi Tithi ends at 11:44 am on 17 September 2024
Anant Chaturdashi 2024: Puja rituals
The rituals of Anant Chaturdashi are rich in tradition and devotion. Here are the key steps they typically involve:
- Preparation: Devotees begin the day by taking a purifying bath and dressing in clean, traditional clothing.
- Preparation for Puja: A sacred space is prepared with a picture or idol of Lord Vishnu, along with offerings like flowers, fruits and sweets. The main ritual involves worshipping a sacred thread called the ‘Anant Sutra’.
- Anant Sutra: The Anant Sutra is a special thread tied around the wrist of devotees as a symbol of protection and blessings of Lord Vishnu. It is believed to bring prosperity and remove obstacles.
- Puja Ceremony: Puja includes reciting hymns and prayers dedicated to Lord Vishnu, offering flowers and food and performing aarti (a ritual of waving lighted lamps).
- Immersion of Ganesh idols: The festival also marks the immersion (Visarjan) of Ganesh idols, which symbolises the end of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Devotees take the idols to water bodies with great fanfare and prayer.
- Fasting and Offerings: Many devotees observe a fast on this day and make offerings of coconuts, sweets and other sacred items.
Anant Chaturdashi 2024: History and Significance
The Anant Chaturdashi festival has deep historical and religious roots. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, revered as the eternal and supreme deity in Hinduism. Celebrating this day with devotion and sincerity is believed to help in gaining divine blessings, removing negative influences and ensuring prosperity.
The festival also commemorates the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi, an important celebration dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity. The immersion of Ganesh idols symbolizes the deity’s return to his heavenly abode and his promise to return the following year.
Anant Chaturdashi 2024: Cultural and social aspects
Anant Chaturdashi is celebrated with great enthusiasm in various parts of India, especially in Maharashtra and Gujarat. It is a time of community gatherings, cultural events and festive meals. The festival fosters a sense of unity and devotion among the participants.
In short, Anant Chaturdashi is a much-loved festival that combines religious fervour with cultural traditions. It marks the end of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations and serves as an opportunity for devotees to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu for a prosperous and unhindered life.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.