Anant Chaturdashi 2023, a Hindu festival is going to be celebrated on the 14th day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadrapada. It denotes the end of the ten day long festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. On this very day, devotees offer prayers to Lord Vishnu in the form of Anant, having no end or never ending form and seek his blessings for total prosperity, longevity, and all round happiness. The festival is celebrated in various parts of India with great enthusiasm and devotion, especially in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Let us thrown light on the celebrations and the in depth discussion of the Anant Chaturdashi 2023
Anant Chaturdashi 2023: Date and Puja Muhurat
Anant Chaturdashi 2023 falls on Thursday, September 28, 2023. The Puja Muhurat starts at 06:12 AM and ends at 06:49 PM spanning a duration of 12 Hours 37 Min. The Chaturdashi Tithi starts at 10:18 PM on Sep 27, 2023, and comes to an end at 06:49 PM on Sep 28, 2023.
Mythological Anecdotes Related to Anant Chaturdashi
As per Hindu mythology, a demon king named Bali became very powerful and conquered the three Lokas (worlds). The gods became worried about their power and went to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu in the guise of a dwarf Brahmin named Vamana went to Bali’s kingdom to have alms.
Read More on Anant Chaturdashi: Pray To Lord Ganesha for Peace & Wealth
Bali was widely known for his generosity. The moment the dwarf wanted only three steps of land, he then and there granted Vamana’s wish. But the moment Vamana took his second step, he grew so tall that he covered the entire earth. He then wanted to place his third step. Bali as per his promise asked the Bamana (dwarf) to keep his third foot on his head. Vamana pushed him to the world beneath the earth’s surface. In thi way he freed the three worlds from the rule of vicious Bali.
Bali in spite of being a demon was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He was granted a boon by the Lord that he could visit earth once a year. This Anant Chaurdashi day is the very day of Bali’s visit to earth and is known as Bali Pratipada or the first day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Kartik. The Anant Chaturdashi festival falls during this period, and Lord Vishnu, in the very form of Anant, blesses his devotees coming to this earth in the form of Anant.
On this particular day devotees tie a sacred thread or “Anant Sutra” on their wrists. The sutra or ‘a thread’ symbolizes the eternal form of Lord Vishnu. People also go on offering special prayers to Lord Anant, seek His blessings for overall prosperity, longevity, and total happiness. Many devotees go on fasting on this day and take part in the gala celebrations on the special occasion of the immersion of Lord Ganesha.
Read More on Bhadrapada Amavasya: Praying to God for Harmony
Actually what the mythological tale wants to tell about Anant Chaturdashi is the victory of good over evil and the importance of utmost devotion towards Lord Vishnu. It is a very day to seek His blessings for a happy affluent life.
Puja Rituals on Anant Chaturdashi 2023
As Anant Chaturdashi is a significant Hindu celebration it has utmost impotence to all Hindu devotees who have strong faith in the prowess of Lord Vishnu. Hence with rapt attention and utmost devotion they arrange the celebration and try to pray to the Lord to grant them all round success. We are now going to bring before you how the Puja rituals go on.
• One should start the Puja by taking a holy bath and wearing clean clothes.
• A picture or idol of Lord Vishnu is placed on a specially decorated platform or altar.
• A lamp is lit, incense sticks are burnt and thereafter flowers and fruits are offered to the Lord.
• The worshippers offer water, milk, honey, and ghee to the Lord and go on chanting the Anant Chaturdashi Mantra.
• They recite the Anant Chaturdashi Vrat Katha, the story behind the festival.
• The devotees offer 14 blades of durva grass representing the 14 worlds of the universe, to Lord Vishnu.
• He devotees tie a sacred thread, called Anant Sutra around the wrists reciting the Anant Chaturdashi Mantra. This thread is the symbol of the eternal bond between the devotees and Lord Vishnu.
• They go on performing the Anant Puja offering the Lord Coconut, banana and betel leaves.
• They recite the Anant Chaturdashi Stotram, a hymn praising Lord Vishnu and his infinite qualities.
• Finally, naivedya is offered to Lord Vishnu and distributed as prasad among the devotees.
Importance of Anant Chaturdashi Celebrations Among the Jains
The Jains of India regard Anant Chaturdashi as an important festival. In Jainism the holy tithi falls on the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada month. This festival marks the end of the 10 day-long celebration of Paryushan, a time for self introspection and spiritual renewal for the Jains.
The significance of Anant Chaturdashi lies in its very name. “Anant” means infinite, and “Chaturdashi” means the 14th day of the lunar cycle. The day is meant for Lord Anant, the manifestation of the supreme soul in the Jain religion of India and abroad.
Read More on Amavasya Dosha: May It Not be Formed in Your Natal Chart
On this particular day, the Jains residing in every corner of India and abroad go on for the Vrat that basically involves fasting and following various rituals to obtain the blessings of Lord Anant.
One of the rituals that is highly spoken of is performed on this day. It is the tying of Anant Sutra. It is nothing but a sacred thread tied around the wrist. The thread has 14 knots those represent 14 realms of existence in the very Jain cosmology. Having got it tied around the wrist means the commitment of the devotee to the very principles of Jainism and their keen aspiration for spiritual progress.
Another important ritual that has to be mentioned here is the recitation of the Anantayapatra Vrat Katha, which goes on narrating the story of Lord Anant and his very teachings. The story emphasizes on the particular importance of compassion, non-violence, and absolutely self-control to lead a spiritual life.
Anant Chaturdashi marks the beginning of the Samvatsari, the annual forgiveness celebration in Jainism. During this period, the Jain devotees pray to every living being to forgive them just for doing any harm to them caused either intentionally or unintentionally. The ceremony is to remind the devotees the Jain principle of ahimsa, or non-violence, encouraging o achieve a peaceful and compassionate mindset.
Relationship Between the Holy Yamuna and Anant Dharma
In Hinduism, the river Yamuna and Lord Krishna are interlinked. Lord Krishna spent his childhood on the banks of the holy river. The river is a part and parcel of the Anant Dharma, a spiritual philosophy that emphasizes the importance of self-control and non-violence.
Read More on Chaitra Amavasya 2023: Special Benefits Ensue after Observing the Day with Utmost Reverence
Anant Dharma is an ancient spiritual tradition. It was originated in India and has been closely connected with Jainism since time immemorial. The philosophy emphasizes on living a simple, ethical, and non-violent life by all means. It teaches that all living beings are interconnected. Thus, you should treat them with compassion.
The river Yamuna has played an important role in the Anant Dharma philosophy. A legend tells that a Jain monk named Anantnath brought in the world the Anant Dharma philosophy after having witnessed the peaceful coexistence of different species of animals on the banks of the Holy Yamuna. He noticed how different animals, such as cows, monkeys, and birds lived together peacefully, without doing harm to each other. This harmonious coexistence inspired him and he thought that if humans can live malice from their minds they can do so quite effectively.
Things Forbidden on Anant Chaturdashi
Here are a few things one should try to avoid on Anant Chaturdashi 2023:
• Jains and many Hindus observe a strict vegetarian diet on this very occasion. Consumption of non-vegetarian food is strictly avoided, as it is thought impure and can affect the spiritual purity.
• Consumption of alcohol and tobacco is also not allowed too on this occasion as it violates the spiritual discipline and purity.
• Cutting of nails and hair on Anant Chaturdashi 2023 can bring bad luck and is thought inauspicious. Therefore, devotees avoid cutting their nails and hair on this particular day.
• Anant Chaturdashi is regarded as a day of spiritual renewal and seeking the blessings of Lord Anant. To avoid all kinds of negative thoughts and actions and maintain a positive and compassionate mindset on this holy occasion are highly recommended. Moreover, the devotees also avoid any form of violence or doing harm to living beings by every mean.
• Again this particular occasion full of positive vibes from every corner of the earth and beyond is a day for spiritual retrospection and seeking the blessings of the divine powers. Hence all devotees avoid wasting time in idle activities such as gossiping and rolling on the bed for no reason. Instead one should try their level best to spend time in meditation, prayers, and performing spiritual rituals. If all these things are done quite effectively and efficiently it is believed that the blessings of the Lord are sure to be showed on the devotees on the holy occasion of Anant Chatrurdashi 2023.
Translate