Worship of the Eternal

Known for Ganesh Visarjan, the Anant Chaturdashi is also about the worship of Lord Vishnu in his 'Anant' form

- Sapna Sarfare

What many may not know is that Anant Chaturdashi, last day of Ganpati, is also dedicated to worshipping Lord Vishnu or Anant.

The story

Yudhistir Govinda Das, Country Director of ISKCON India, discusses the spiritual significance of Anant Chaturdashi, which is observed on the 14th day of the waxing moon in Bhadrapada. "This sacred day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known by one of his names as Ananta, the infinite sustainer of the universe, who rests on the eternal serpent Ananta Shesha. The history stems from ancient scriptures, which describe devotees observing the Anant Vrata to seek Lord Vishnu's blessings for prosperity, protection, and spiritual liberation. On this day, devotees tie the Anant thread, symbolising an eternal bond with the Lord, and perform rituals to honour his infinite grace."

This coincidence with Ganesh Visarjan, the day of immersion of Lord Ganesha's idols. "Worship of Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganesha, can be called a wonderful union of Lord Vishnu and his devotee," he says.

According to Dr Geetanjali Saxena, a celebrity astrologer and tarot card reader, Anant Chaturdashi or Ananta Vrata blends devotion and tradition. "According to legend, a devoted woman named Sushila tied a 14-knotted thread, the Anant Sutra, on her wrist as advised by Vishnu. When her husband removed it unknowingly, they faced hardships that later resolved through devotion." She explains that devotees make a sacred vow to Lord Vishnu, praying for protection, prosperity, and help in overcoming life's challenges.