Anant Chaturdashi

Anant Chaturdashi is celebrated every year on the Chaturdashi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada. It is also known as 'Anant Chaudas'. Lord Vishnu and Mother (Mata) Lakshmi are worshiped on this day. One should observe the best 'Anant Vrat' on Chaturdashi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada. Food is eaten once on this day. On this day, puas (Fried cake) are made by mixing wheat flour, sugar, and ghee and are offered to Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi. Donating flour along with Dakshina gives infinite results. The person observing this fast becomes a partaker of enjoyment and salvation. This day is considered very auspicious. By doing puja and worship on this day, all the sorrows are destroyed, and get happiness. After worshiping, a Raksha Sutra is tied on the arm, it has fourteen knots in it.

Importance of Ananta Sutra

These fourteen knotted sutras are connected to 14 worlds, Bhurlok, Bhuvarlok, Swarlok, Maharlok, Janlok, Tapolok, Brahmalok, Atal, Vitthal, Satal, Rasatal, Talatal, Mahatal and Patallok. Each knot of Anant Sutra represents one world. Apart from this, the 14 knots of Raksha Sutra tied on the day of Anant Chaturdashi are also considered to be the symbol of 14 forms of Lord Vishnu like - Anant, Rishikesh, Padmanabha, Madhav, Vaikuntha, Sridhar, Trivikram, Madhusudan, Vaman, Keshav, Narayan, Damodar and Govind. This day is very fruitful, beneficial, and virtuous. This fast is observed on Chaturdashi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadra Pad and by observing it for 14 years one gets 'infinite results'. Ganesh Visarjan also takes place on this day, which increases the importance of this fast.

Method of worship

On the day of Anant Chaturdashi, wake up early in the morning do your daily routine work and take a bath, etc. After taking a bath, sprinkle Ganga water on the place of worship and purify it. Spread a red cloth on the stool and install the idol of Lord Vishnu. After that, establish the Kalash and keep an eight-petalled lotus in it. Take a resolution to fast while meditating on Lord Vishnu. Offer saffron, kumkum, turmeric, flowers, dry fruits, fruits, sweets, etc. to the idol of the deity. Then a beautiful thread made of silk or cotton should be tied with fourteen knots and worshiped with scents etc. This thread is considered to please Lord Vishnu and give infinite results. Reciting Lord Shri Vishnu Sahastranam Stotra on this day is considered very auspicious. It is very beneficial to recite the story of Shri Satyanarayan for the blessings of Lord Vishnu.

Rules for tying Anant Sutra

Who observing fast, Men should tie Anant Sutra in their right hand and women in their left hand. One should not wear black and blue colored clothes while worshiping on this day. Anantsutra should be tied only after worshiping Lord Vishnu. The person who ties Anant Sutra should keep fast for the whole day, this brings blessings and blessings of Lord Vishnu. There is a religious belief that after tying the Anant Sutra, one should not eat tamsik food for fourteen days and during this period one should observe celibacy.

While tying the thread 'Om Anantaya Namah ' Chant the mantra. It is believed that by tying it one gets the boon of health and the sins of past and present births are also destroyed.

Closing fast (Udyapan) method of Anant Chaturdashi fast: For the Closing fast (Udyapan) of 'Anant Vrat', we have to do puja, havan, and rituals are performed at home. Lord Vishnu is worshipped, his thousand names are chanted, and there is special significance in listening to the story of Satyanarayan on this day. After completing such auspicious programs, 14 fasting people should be fed and give Dakshina.