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1 Legend  





2 Jain religious observance  





3 Hindu religious observance  





4 See also  





5 References  














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| type = Hindu

| type = Hindu

| image = Bishnu.jpg

| image = Bishnu.jpg

| caption = Lord [[Vishnu]]

| caption = Sculpture of Vishnu sheltered by Ananta at Parsurameswara Temple, Bhubaneswar

| observedby = [[Hindu]]s and [[Jain]]s.

| observedby = [[Hindu]]s.

| longtype = Religious, [[Indian subcontinent]]

| longtype = Religious, [[Indian subcontinent]]

| date = [[Bhadrapada]] [[Paksha|Shukla]] [[Chaturdashi]]

| date = [[Bhadrapada]] [[Paksha|Shukla]] [[Chaturdashi]]

Line 29: Line 29:

| date2018 = 24 September

| date2018 = 24 September

| date2019 = 12 September

| date2019 = 12 September

| observances = Immersion of Ganesha idols, Wearing sacred thread ([[yagnopavita]]), Prayers, Religious rituals (see [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]], [[prasada]])

| observances = Immersion of Ganesha idols, Wearing sacred thread ([[yajnopavita]]), Prayers, Religious rituals (see [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]], [[prasada]])

| date2023 = 28 Sep 2023

| date2023 = 28 Sep 2023

}}

}}

'''Ananta Chaturdashi''' ({{Lang-sa|अनंतचतुर्दशी|translit=Anantacaturdaśī}}) is a festival dedicated to [[Vishnu]], observed and celebrated by [[Hindu]]s and [[Jain]]s. It is marked on the fourteenth day of the moon's waxing phase during the [[Hindu calendar|Hindu month]] of [[Bhadra (Hindu calendar)|Bhadrapada]]. The [[Shesha|Ananta]] (divine serpent) manifestation of Vishnu is venerated on this occasion, described by the [[Agni Purana]] to free adherents from sins.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Saxena |first=Monika |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OwtpDwAAQBAJ&dq=Anantacaturda%C5%9B%C4%AB&pg=PT198 |title=Women and the Puranic Tradition in India |date=2018-09-03 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-82639-9 |pages=198 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&newbks=0&hl=en |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |date=2010 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-341421-6 |pages=245 |language=en}}</ref>

'''Ananta Chaturdashi''' ({{Lang-sa|अनंतचतुर्दशी|translit=Anantacaturdaśī}}) is a festival dedicated to [[Vishnu]], observed and celebrated by [[Hindu]]s. It is marked on the fourteenth day of the moon's waxing phase during the [[Hindu calendar|Hindu month]] of [[Bhadra (Hindu calendar)|Bhadrapada]]. According to the ''[[Agni Purana]]'', the [[Shesha|Ananta]] (Shesha; the divine serpent) manifestation of Vishnu is venerated on this occasion to free adherents from sins.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Saxena |first=Monika |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OwtpDwAAQBAJ&dq=Anantacaturda%C5%9B%C4%AB&pg=PT198 |title=Women and the Puranic Tradition in India |date=2018-09-03 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-82639-9 |pages=198 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |date=2010 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-341421-6 |pages=245 |language=en}}</ref>



Ananta Chaturdashi is also marked as the last day of the ten-day-long [[Ganesh Chaturthi]] festival and is also called Ganesh Chaudas, when devotees bid adieu to the deity [[Ganesha]] by immersing (''visarjana'') his [[Murti|idols]] in water.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Melton |first=J. Gordon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KDU30Ae4S4cC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA32&dq=anant+chaturdashi&hl=en |title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations |date=2011-09-13 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-205-0 |pages=32-33 |language=en}}</ref>

Ananta Chaturdashi is also marked as the last day of the ten-day-long [[Ganesh Chaturthi]] festival and is also called Ganesh Chaudas, when devotees bid adieu to the deity [[Ganesha]] by immersing (''visarjana'') his [[Murti|idols]] in water.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Melton |first=J. Gordon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KDU30Ae4S4cC&dq=anant+chaturdashi&pg=PA32 |title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations |date=2011-09-13 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-205-0 |pages=32–33 |language=en}}</ref>


==Legend==

{{Vaishnavism}}

A legend behind the Ananta Chaturdashi is found in the ''[[Mahabharata]]''. It recounts the story of a woman named Sushila, who encountered a group of women worshipping Ananta near a riverbank. They explained that the performance of this [[vrata]] (pious observance) would earn great [[Punya (Hinduism)|merit]] for the performer and offer them safety. The form of Ananta was made out of [[Kusha grass|darbha]] (sacred grass) and placed in a basket, whereby it was offered worship with scented flowers, oil lamp, incense sticks, and food they had prepared. Sushila joined the women in undertaking the ritual, whereupon a 14 knotted-sacramental thread was tied to her wrist. She then returned to join her husband, a sage called Kaundinya.<ref name=":0" />


The couple reached a town called Amaravati, whose residents welcomed them for their piety and offered them a spacious house. Kaundinya began to prosper and became very rich. One day, Kaundinya noticed the thread on Sushila's wrist. When he heard from her that the reason behind his wealth was her observance of the vrata, he was displeased and maintained that their wealth was not because of Ananta, but because of his own efforts. Saying hence, Kaundinya took the thread from Sushila's hand and threw it into the fire, despite her pleas.


Following this, misfortune fell upon them: they were reduced to extreme poverty, their neighbours turned away from them, and their house caught fire. The repentant Kaundinya understood that it was punishment for having dishonoured Ananta. He roamed from place to place, asking a number of creatures and lakes if they could tell him where he could find the deity, coming across a number of unusual sights. Finally, Ananta assumed the guise of an old [[Brahmin]] man and appeared before him, following which Kaundinya pleaded for forgiveness. After explaining the significance of the unusual sights Kaundinya had observed during his wanderings, Ananta forgave Kaundinya. He asked him to observe the Ananta Chaturdashi vow for fourteen years, promising him prosperity and an eternal abode in the stars after his demise. Thus, Kaundinya and Sushila observed the vow and led a happy life thereafter.<ref name=":1" />



==Jain religious observance==

==Jain religious observance==

{{see also|Jain rituals and festivals}}

{{see also|Jain rituals and festivals}}

This is an important day in the Jain calendar of festivities. [[Śvētāmbara|Shvetambara]] Jains observe the Parv Paryushana in the last 10 days of the bhado month- Digambar Jains observe ten days of the Dus Lakshan Parv and Chaturdashi (also known as Anant Chaudas) is the last day of Daslakshan Parv. [[Kshamavani]], the day the Jains ask for forgiveness for mistakes they have made intentionally or otherwise, is observed one day after Ananta Chaturdashi. This is the day when [[Vasupujya]], the 12th [[tirthankara]] of the present cosmic cycle, attained [[nirvana]].

This is an important day in the Jain calendar of festivities. [[Śvētāmbara|Shvetambara]] Jains observe the Parv Paryushana in the last 10 days of the bhado month- Digambar Jains observe ten days of the Dus Lakshan Parv and Chaturdashi (also known as Ananta Chaudas) is the last day of Daslakshan Parv. [[Kshamavani]], the day the Jains ask for forgiveness for mistakes they have made intentionally or otherwise, is observed one day after Ananta Chaturdashi. This is the day when [[Vasupujya]], the 12th [[tirthankara]] of the present cosmic cycle, attained [[nirvana]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}



==Hindu religious observance==

==Hindu religious observance==



In parts of [[Nepal]], [[Bihar]] and Eastern [[Uttar Pradesh]]., the festival is closely linked to ''[[Kshira Sagara]]'' (Ocean of Milk) and [[Vishnu]]'s ''Anantarupa'' (form of Ananta). 14 ''tilakas'' (small vertical strips) of [[kumkum|kumkuma]] or [[sindoor]] (vermilion powder) are made on a wooden plank. Fourteen ''[[poori|puri]]''s (fried wheat bread) and 14 ''pua''s (deep fried sweet wheat bread) are placed on the vermilion strips. A bowl containing ''[[panchamrita]]'' (made of [[milk]], [[Curd (India)|curd]], [[jaggery]] or [[sugar]], [[honey]] and [[ghee]]) symbolizing the [[Kshira Sagara|Ocean of Milk]] is placed on this wooden plank. A thread with 14 knots, symbolizing the Anantarupa of [[Vishnu]], is wrapped on a cucumber and is swirled five times in the panchamrita. Later, this Anant thread is tied on the right arm above the elbow by men. Women tie this on their left arm. This Anant thread is removed after 14 days.

In parts of [[Nepal]], [[Bihar]] and Eastern [[Uttar Pradesh]], the festival is closely linked to ''[[Kshira Sagara]]'' (Ocean of Milk) and [[Vishnu]]'s ''Anantarupa'' (form of Ananta). Fourteen ''tilakas'' (small vertical strips) of [[kumkum|kumkuma]] or [[sindoor]] (vermilion powder) are made on a wooden plank. Fourteen [[Puri (food)|''puris'']] (fried wheat bread) and 14 ''pua''s (deep fried sweet wheat bread) are placed on the vermilion strips. A bowl containing ''[[panchamrita]]'' (made of [[milk]], [[Curd (India)|curd]], [[jaggery]] or [[sugar]], [[honey]] and [[ghee]]) symbolizing the [[Kshira Sagara|Ocean of Milk]] is placed on this wooden plank. A thread with 14 knots, symbolizing the Anantarupa of [[Vishnu]], is wrapped on a cucumber and is swirled five times in the panchamrita. Later, this Ananta thread is tied on the right arm above the elbow by men. Women tie this on their left arm. This Ananta thread is removed after 14 days. In addition to the special rituals, devotees perform a fast (''upavasa'') on this day.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AbWazgEACAAJ |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M |date=2002 |publisher=Rosen |isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8 |pages=37 |language=en}}</ref>{{Additional citation needed|date=August 2023}}


==The story behind the festival==

{{Section citations needed|date=April 2023}}

;''Sushila and Kaundinya''


The story behind Ananta Chaturdashi is found in the Mahabharat. There was a Brahmin named Sumant. With his wife Diksha, he had a daughter named Sushila. After the death of Diksha, Sumant married Karkash, who gave a lot of trouble to Sushila.


Sushila married Kaundinya, and they decided to leave the house to avoid the harassment of the stepmother. On the way, they stopped near a river. Kaundinya went to take bath. Sushila joined a group of women who were worshiping. They told Sushila that they were worshiping "Anant prabhu".


;''Anant's vow''


They told her that it was Anant's vow. They explained its importance and ritual. Some fried "gharga" (made of flour) and "anarase" (special food) are prepared. Half of them have to be given to the Brahmins. A cobra made of "darbha" (sacred grass) is put in a bamboo basket. Then the snake ("shesh") is worshiped with scented flowers, oil lamp, and incense sticks. Food is offered to the snake. A silk string is kept before the God and tied to the wrist. This string is called "anant." It has 14 knots and is coloured with "kumkum." Women tie the "anant" on their left hand and men on their right. The purpose of this vow is to obtain divinity and wealth. It is kept for 14 years.


After listening to this explanation Sushila decided to take the Anant vow. From that day she and Kaundinya began to prosper and became very rich. One day Kaundinya noticed the Anant string on Sushila's left hand. When he heard the story of the Anant vow, he was displeased and maintained that they had become rich, not because of any power of Anant, but because of the wisdom he had acquired by his own efforts. A heated argument followed. At the end Kaundinya took the Anant string from Sushila's hand and threw it into the fire.


After this all sorts of calamities happened in their life, and they were reduced to extreme poverty. Kaundinya understood that it was punishment for having dishonoured "Anant" and decided that he would undergo rigorous penance until God appeared to him.<ref name=":0" />


;''In search of Anant''


Kaundinya went into the forest. There he saw a tree full of mangoes, but no one was eating them. The entire tree was attacked by worms. He asked the tree if he had seen Anant but got a negative reply. Then Kaundinya saw a cow with her calf, then a bull standing on a field of grass without eating it. Then he saw two big lakes joined to each other with their waters mixing with one another. Further, he saw a donkey and an elephant. To every one, Kaundinya asked about Anant, but no one had heard this name. He became desperate and prepared a rope to hang himself.


Then suddenly an old, venerable Brahmin appeared before him. He removed the rope from Kaundinya's neck and led him into a cave. At first, it was very dark. But then a bright light appeared and they reached a big palace. A great assembly of men and women had gathered. The old Brahmin went straight towards the throne.

Kaundinya could no longer see the Brahmin but only Anant instead. Kaundinya realized that Anant himself had come to save him and that god was Anant, the Eternal One. He confessed his sin in failing to recognize the Eternal in the string on Sushila's hand. Anant promised Kaundinya that if he made the 14-year vow, he would be free from all his sins and would obtain wealth, children, and happiness. Anant disclosed the meaning of what Kaundinya had seen during the search. Anant explained that the mango tree was a Brahmin, who in a previous life had acquired plenty of knowledge, but had not communicated it to anyone.


==Gallery==

<gallery class="center" heights="100" widths="150" caption="Ananta Chaturdashi / Ganesh Visarjan">

File:Anant_Chaturdashi.jpg|A replica of the [[Lalbaugcha Raja]] idol being immersed in the [[Arabian Sea]] at [[Girgaon Chowpatty]], [[Mumbai]], [[India]].

File:Vinayagar_chathurthi.jpeg|Immersion of Ganesha idols in the sea.

File:Ganesh_Visarjan_at_Futala_by_Chetan_Gole.jpg|Ganesha idols being immersed (visarjan) on Ananta Chaturdashi.

</gallery>



==See also==

==See also==

{{Portal|India}}

{{Portal|India}}

* [[Ganesh Chaturthi]]

* [[Ganesh Chaturthi]]

* [[Ganesh festival]]

* [[Cultural depictions of elephants]]

* [[Cultural depictions of elephants]]

* [[Durga Puja]]

* [[Durga Puja]]

Line 96: Line 72:

[[Category:Jain festivals]]

[[Category:Jain festivals]]

[[Category:Hindu festivals in Nepal]]

[[Category:Hindu festivals in Nepal]]

[[Category:Vaishnavism]]


Latest revision as of 11:42, 2 November 2023

Ananta Chaturdashi
Sculpture of Vishnu sheltered by Ananta at Parsurameswara Temple, Bhubaneswar
Observed byHindus.
TypeReligious, Indian subcontinent
ObservancesImmersion of Ganesha idols, Wearing sacred thread (yajnopavita), Prayers, Religious rituals (see puja, prasada)
DateBhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi
2023 date28 Sep 2023
Frequencyannual

Ananta Chaturdashi (Sanskrit: अनंतचतुर्दशी, romanizedAnantacaturdaśī) is a festival dedicated to Vishnu, observed and celebrated by Hindus. It is marked on the fourteenth day of the moon's waxing phase during the Hindu monthofBhadrapada. According to the Agni Purana, the Ananta (Shesha; the divine serpent) manifestation of Vishnu is venerated on this occasion to free adherents from sins.[3][4]

Ananta Chaturdashi is also marked as the last day of the ten-day-long Ganesh Chaturthi festival and is also called Ganesh Chaudas, when devotees bid adieu to the deity Ganesha by immersing (visarjana) his idols in water.[5]

Legend[edit]

A legend behind the Ananta Chaturdashi is found in the Mahabharata. It recounts the story of a woman named Sushila, who encountered a group of women worshipping Ananta near a riverbank. They explained that the performance of this vrata (pious observance) would earn great merit for the performer and offer them safety. The form of Ananta was made out of darbha (sacred grass) and placed in a basket, whereby it was offered worship with scented flowers, oil lamp, incense sticks, and food they had prepared. Sushila joined the women in undertaking the ritual, whereupon a 14 knotted-sacramental thread was tied to her wrist. She then returned to join her husband, a sage called Kaundinya.[5]

The couple reached a town called Amaravati, whose residents welcomed them for their piety and offered them a spacious house. Kaundinya began to prosper and became very rich. One day, Kaundinya noticed the thread on Sushila's wrist. When he heard from her that the reason behind his wealth was her observance of the vrata, he was displeased and maintained that their wealth was not because of Ananta, but because of his own efforts. Saying hence, Kaundinya took the thread from Sushila's hand and threw it into the fire, despite her pleas.

Following this, misfortune fell upon them: they were reduced to extreme poverty, their neighbours turned away from them, and their house caught fire. The repentant Kaundinya understood that it was punishment for having dishonoured Ananta. He roamed from place to place, asking a number of creatures and lakes if they could tell him where he could find the deity, coming across a number of unusual sights. Finally, Ananta assumed the guise of an old Brahmin man and appeared before him, following which Kaundinya pleaded for forgiveness. After explaining the significance of the unusual sights Kaundinya had observed during his wanderings, Ananta forgave Kaundinya. He asked him to observe the Ananta Chaturdashi vow for fourteen years, promising him prosperity and an eternal abode in the stars after his demise. Thus, Kaundinya and Sushila observed the vow and led a happy life thereafter.[3]

Jain religious observance[edit]

This is an important day in the Jain calendar of festivities. Shvetambara Jains observe the Parv Paryushana in the last 10 days of the bhado month- Digambar Jains observe ten days of the Dus Lakshan Parv and Chaturdashi (also known as Ananta Chaudas) is the last day of Daslakshan Parv. Kshamavani, the day the Jains ask for forgiveness for mistakes they have made intentionally or otherwise, is observed one day after Ananta Chaturdashi. This is the day when Vasupujya, the 12th tirthankara of the present cosmic cycle, attained nirvana.[citation needed]

Hindu religious observance[edit]

In parts of Nepal, Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, the festival is closely linked to Kshira Sagara (Ocean of Milk) and Vishnu's Anantarupa (form of Ananta). Fourteen tilakas (small vertical strips) of kumkumaorsindoor (vermilion powder) are made on a wooden plank. Fourteen puris (fried wheat bread) and 14 puas (deep fried sweet wheat bread) are placed on the vermilion strips. A bowl containing panchamrita (made of milk, curd, jaggeryorsugar, honey and ghee) symbolizing the Ocean of Milk is placed on this wooden plank. A thread with 14 knots, symbolizing the Anantarupa of Vishnu, is wrapped on a cucumber and is swirled five times in the panchamrita. Later, this Ananta thread is tied on the right arm above the elbow by men. Women tie this on their left arm. This Ananta thread is removed after 14 days. In addition to the special rituals, devotees perform a fast (upavasa) on this day.[6][additional citation(s) needed]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2013 Hindu Festivals Calendar for Bahula, West Bengal, India". drikpanchang.com. 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013. 18 Wednesday Anant Chaturdashi
  • ^ "Anant Chaturthi 2019, Anant Chaturdashi Legends - Festivals of India".
  • ^ a b Saxena, Monika (2018-09-03). Women and the Puranic Tradition in India. Routledge. p. 198. ISBN 978-0-429-82639-9.
  • ^ Dalal, Roshen (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. p. 245. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
  • ^ a b Melton, J. Gordon (2011-09-13). Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations. ABC-CLIO. pp. 32–33. ISBN 978-1-59884-205-0.
  • ^ Lochtefeld, James G. (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M. Rosen. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-8239-3179-8.

  • Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ananta_Chaturdashi&oldid=1183135310"

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