Sacred Rituals, Spiritual Significance & Ganesh Visarjan Timings News24 –
Anant Chaturdashi is an important festival, honoring Lord Vishnu. The holiday is significant for Hindus and Jains alike. Anant Chaturdashi occurs on the 14th day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which falls in the middle of the September month. Anant Chaturdashi marks the end of Ganesh Chaturthi when devotees say goodbye to Lord Ganesha with large immersion ceremonies.
Anant Chaturdashi is memorable because it is deeply rooted in spiritual meaning and joyful traditions. On this day there is fasting involved, worship or devotion to Lord Vishnu in his eternal form called Anant, with prayers for protection, prosperity and peace for family.
Anant Chaturdashi 2025 : Date And Shubh Muhurat
Anant Chaturdashi will be celebrated on Saturday September 6 this year. According to the Hindu almanac the auspicious time to perform rituals are:
Puja Muhurat: 6:02 AM September 6 to 1:41 AM September 7
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: 3:12 AM September 6
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends : 1:41 AM September 7
These timings are powerful for observing the Anant Vrat and for performing prayers to Lord Vishnu.
Anant Chaturdashi 2025: Background
Indian mythologies contain several stories elaborating the reasons for the observance of this day, which are considered sacred. One of the tales primarily relates to the Pandavas during their 12 years of exile. The Pandavas suffered excessively after gambling away their kingdom to the Kauravas.
Yudhisthira, the eldest pandava, asked Lord Krishna what they must do and Lord Krishna informed him that he needed to observe the Anant Vrat, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Once he performed the rite with a pure heart the Panavas were able to transform their troubles into opportunities and eventually regain their kingdoms.
Another story outlines sage Kaundinya and his wife Sushila. When Sushila learned of the significance of the worship of Lord Anant, she tied a sacred thread with 14 knots around her arm as part of her fast. Kaundunya did not take kindly to this and, not believing in the significance, threw the thread into the fire!
Thereafter, disaster followed, and they lost their wealth. At that point Kaundinya understood his fault and did penance for a very long time in order to make amends. Thereafter, one day Vishnu appeared to him, and told Kaundinya to observe the Anant Vrat, for 14 years, in order to regain their wealth and prosperity. In sum, the story teaches the importance of faith, patience and reverence for traditions from God.
Anant Chaturdashi 2025: Importance
Anant Chaturdashi is seen as a day of spiritual as well as materialistic rewards. Worshipping Lord Vishnu on this day is said to help devotees face life’s obstacles, atone for sins of the past, and bring happiness to their family.
The name “Anant” means eternal, referring to the limitless blessings of Lord Vishnu and “Chaturdashi” refers to the 14th day of a lunar cycle.
The festival is not passed by studious individuals or those who search for knowledge. Beginning studies on Anant Chaturdashi is considered a wise way to generate good fortune. Families and businessmen regard it as an invitation to good fortune and abundance. The essence of the day is peace, safety, and time for the divine.
Anant Chaturdashi 2025: Puja Process
Devotees maintain a fast throughout the day. This fast formally begins on this day (when they perform a pooja) with a fast entitled, Anant Vrat. The fast is not only undertaken for a single day but is neither traditionally observed for 14 consecutive years in which the devotee seeks the blessings of Lord Vishnu. One of the primary rituals, in addition to fasting, is to observe Anant Sutra, in which a sacred tie rope with 14 knots is tied around the arm. Each knot symbolizes a year of the vow. The 14 knots serve to remind the devotee to never forsake their faith.
Men generally bind the thread on their respective right arm, while women tie it on their left side. The puja signifies protection, spiritual strength, and divine blessings. The devotees spend the entire day praying, reciting the stories of Anant Chaturdashi, and offering the lord flowers, fruits, and sweets.
This day also entails the immersion (Ganesh Visarjan) of the idols of Ganesh, ending the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festivities on an emotional but festive note. The immersion represents the circle of life, inviting divinity, receiving blessings and letting go of divinity to call upon it again next year.