Anant Chaturdashi 2023

Anant Chaturdashi is a day to worship God Vishnu in his eternal form, that is, the form which is Anant or "jiska koi ant na ho". Anant Chaturdashi falls on the 14th day of the Shukla paksha of the Bhadrapad month and the 10th day of Ganesh Chaturthi and coincides with Ganpati Visarjan. The Ganesha idols are immersed in water, oceans or seas on this day after 10 days of offering prayers and prasad to the Ganesha idols. Fast is observed on the day of Anant Chaturdashi, which holds a great deal of importance for Hindus as well as Jains. Anant Chaturdashi is also known by the name of Anant Chaudas.

Anant Chaturdashi is considered the most important day for worshipping Lord Vishnu in his Anant avatar. Devotees of Lord Vishnu observe a fast for the whole day, perform various pujas, and tie sacred threads on their wrists. Anant Chaturdashi is also the last day of the Hindu festival of Ganeshotsav or Ganpati Visarjan. Ganesha idols are immersed in water bodies, and people dance and sing in large processions. Ganeshotsav is popular in the states of Maharastra, Gujrat, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh, and Bihar.

Anant Chaturdashi is one such event in my life. Every year, I am immersed and look forward to celebrating the occasion. However, owing to COVID-19, we have shifted our festivities online. So I celebrate it on December 21 this year. Although the circumstances will not be the same as in previous years due to all the precautions taken, it will still be a memorable experience for me as I participate with my family.

For the last 14 years, after worshipping Goddess Kali on this date, which marks the closing days of Navratri Puja, we usually visit the idol to offer prayers and make offerings to Devi. This year my mother's friend made me recite the following mantra during worship. "Devi, please accept us into your shelter, so that we may worship you". We were offered water from Ganesha at that time. But, due to Covid-19, we don't consume any holy water. But, we are happy to announce that we can also participate this time. Here are some things to remember:

Every year since ancient times, the day after Diwali or Dussehra, the most famous temple festival in India, is celebrated on Monday (or Chhath Puja in other countries), but the exact time for its actual start varies depending on where you live.

Ganesh Chaturdashi is a Hindu lunar new year's holiday and the fourth Friday in the month of Bhadrapada Raviksha (Rakshasbandhan). For example, the day before Chaturdashi, the capital of Assam was already named Nagarbh, and it is said to be the old name of the Nagarjuna Dam across the Nagar river (now called the Brahmaputra).

On January 17, 2023, we will celebrate the New Year in the city of Vijayawada as per our tradition in 2017 and 2018, and there will even be the Ganpati procession and Ganesh idol installation on the same day. But if we start observing Ganpati Vishwas on this date, it means that Ganpati Vishwas will not be held there. Instead, we'll have to keep Ganpati Vishwas at another place (Vijaya Pandal/Ganesh Vihar).

Anant Chaturthi's importance lies in the fact that-

It marks the end of the Ganpati festival or Ganapati Visarjan. Ganpati idols are taken into lakes or seas in grand processions to be immersed in the waters.

People recite and listen to Lord Vishnu's stories, also known as Anant. The recitation of Vedas is also known as "Anant Vrat".

What is the significance of Anant Chaturdashi?

Anant Chaturdashi is the day when Lord Ganesha travels back to Mount Kailash. On this day, the infinite form of Lord Vishnu, Satyanarayan, is worshipped by Hindus.

How is Anant Chaturdashi celebrated?

On this day, after worshipping Lord Vishnu, the 14 knots "Anant Sutra " is tied to the hand. On the day of Anant Chaturdashi, the story of Anant Chaturdashi is recited while bathing and worshipping Lord Vishnu. Anant Sutra is made by adding 14 sacred knots to a cotton thread with turmeric, kumkum and saffron.

What to eat on Anant Chaturdashi?

The food prepared at home should first be offered to the deity as Bhog. Jaggery should be added to the Bhog. Feed the Bhog to a cow while praying to Satyanarayan. Do not forget to wear the Anant Sutra on your wrist while performing the ritual.

Firstly, we must wear face masks;

Secondly, we must refrain from eating sweets and other sweet items;

Thirdly, we should exercise caution when near idols as they might be contaminated or infectious. We must also wash all our hands thoroughly before entering the idol house and offering prayers.

Due to increased cases of Coronavirus infection in several countries across the world, including India, everyone seems to prefer virtual events. As soon as the lockdown was lifted, people started flocking to temples and places of worship like Dhabas and ghats to pray. After the celebrations, they rushed home without washing their hands because they feared getting infected. In the next few days, India could become the new hotspot again if the country doesn't contain the spread of coronavirus infection. While worshipping idols would be safe by now as long as you follow all these precautionary measures, only those who live close to them can attend them this year. So till this pandemic ends, let's celebrate!

Anant Chaturdashi is one such event in my life. Every year, I am immersed and look forward to celebrating the occasion. However, owing to Covid-19, we have shifted our festivities online. So I celebrate it on December 21 this year. Although the circumstances will not be the same as in previous years due to all the precautions taken, it will still be a memorable experience for me as I participate with my family.