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Ananta Chaturdashi: Difference between revisions

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Hindu observance

Ananta Chaturdashi
Sculpture of Vishnu sheltered by Ananta at Parsurameswara Temple, Bhubaneswar
Observed by	Hindus and Jains.
Type	Religious, Indian subcontinent
Observances	Immersion of Ganesha idols, Wearing sacred thread (yagnopavita), Prayers, Religious rituals (see puja, prasada)
Date	Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi
2023 date	28 Sep 2023
Frequency	annual

Ananta Chaturdashi (Sanskrit: अनंतचतुर्दशी, romanized: Anantacaturdaśī) is a festival dedicated to Vishnu, observed and celebrated by Hindus and Jains. It is marked on the fourteenth day of the moon's waxing phase during the Hindu monthofBhadrapada. According to the Agni Purana, the Ananta (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]

Jain religious observance

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 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.^{[citation needed]}

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). 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 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 addition to the special rituals, devotees perform a fast (upvaas) on this day.^{[6][additional citation(s) needed]}

The story behind the festival

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Sushila and Kaundinya

The story behind Ananta Chaturdashi is found in the Mahabharat. It recounts the story of a woman named Sushila who encountered a group of women worshipping "Anant prabhu" near a river. They explained its importance and ritual. The form of Anant was made out of "darbha" (sacred grass) and placed in a basket snake ("shesh") whereby it was offered worship with scented flowers, oil lamp, incense sticks and food they had prepared. A silk string was then with 14 knots was then tied to their wrist which would be worn for the next 14 years. The purpose of this vow was to obtain divinity and wealth.

After listening to this explanation Sushila decided to take the Anant vow. From that day she and her husband, 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.^[5]

See also

• Ganesh Chaturthi
• Cultural depictions of elephants
• Durga Puja
• Mantrapushpanjali

References