Anant Chaturdashi.

Anant Chaturdashi 

GSB Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samithi, Wadala Ram Mandir, Mumbai ..... Ganeshotsav 2017

Anant, another name of Lord Vishnu, means eternal, and Chaturdashi means fourteen, Anant Chaturdashi, also known as Anant Chaudas, falls 10 days after Ganesh Chaturthi, ie the 14th day of Bhadrapada shukla paksha (first fortnight) of the Hindu calender year. It is the the last day of the Hindu festival of Ganeshotsav when Ganesha idols are immersed in the water.

|| Jai Guru Ganesh || GSB Seva Mandal, Kings's Circle, Matunga, Ganeshotsav 2017

Anant Chaturdashi has two main significances. The first is that it is the day of the immersion of Ganapati (known as Ganapati/ Ganesha Visarjan). Lord Ganesh who arrives on the 4 th day of Bhadrapada shukla paksha stays for 10 days and leaves on Ananta Chaturdashi Day. Thus, Lord Ganesha is given a tearful adieu / farewell, only to be welcomed the next year with equal excitement and shradda / faith. 

The second significance is that this puja is basically that of Shri Vishnu or Shri Krishna Puja. The presiding Deity of Ananta vrat is Ananta, that is, Bhagawan Shri Vishnu. The Deities Yamuna and Shesha also accompany Shri Vishnu. On this day people recite and listen to the stories and legends of Lord Vishnu who is Anant, the infinite and recite hymns from the Vedas. This is sometimes also called Ananta Vrat. It is an expanded form of the Satya Narayana Puja. 

This pooja consists of Yamuna (river) puja, shesha (cobra) Puja and Anant Puja. The water kalash (pot) is assumed to be yamuna, cobra made of grass is Shesha and Anant consists of 14 knotted threads. For the puja 14 items are of relevance – 14 flowers, 14 fresh and dry fruits separately, 14 leaves of various trees. Even the food prepared and offered to God as prasad consists of 14 vegetables. 

Also a red thread having fourteen knots, symbolizing Lord Anant is worshiped in different parts of the region in different ways. Later this Anant thread is tied on the right arm above the elbow by men and women tie this on their left arm in some parts of the country. This Anant thread is removed after fourteen days. While in southern parts the thread is worn round the neck throughout the year and replaced on following Ananta Chaturdashi.

Legend has it that this puja was mentioned about by Lord Shri Krishna to Pandavas after their defeat by Kauravas. It further tells about a sage Koundinya who went everywhere in search of Shri Anant. He had to undergo much agony and came across mysterious events before Shri Anant gave him Darshan. By performing this puja, it is believed that a person is relieved of all sins committed during his lifetime.

On the auspicious day of Anant Chaturdashi, women keep fast for the wellbeing of their family while some men keep a vow to observe the Ananta Chaturthi Vrat (fast) for fourteen coming years in a row in order to get the blessings of Lord Vishnu, regain the lost wealth and prosperity. Ananta vrat is observed with the intention of fulfillment of worldly desires (‘kamya vrat’). This vrat is mainly observed for regaining lost prosperity. On the day of Ananta Chaturdashi, the frequencies of Shri Vishnu are active in the Universe. It is easy for average people to attract and absorb these frequencies on this day. Doing Anantapujan means absorbing the action-energy of Shri Vishnu.

We GSB Konkani Saraswats celebrate this festival as tribute to both Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnu on the occassion of Anant Chaturdashi. It is celebrated in temples with great pomp and many a dishes are prepared as a mark of tribute. Alvati a curry prepared out of alva paan/ colocasia leaves is one dish that is prepared on this particular day. In my very own humble gesture I have prepared some dishes as an offering to the the Lord. Here is the Thali with 21 attempts.

** List of the dishes on Thali ….1 Alvati (Tender Colocasia Leaves Curry). 2. Kuvale Sasam (Ash Gourd Curry). 3. Kottambari Palle Gojju (Coriander Leaves Sweet Chutney). 4. Dalitoy (Spiced Tuvar Dal). 5. Limbiya Nonche (Lemon Pickle). 6. SheetHa (Rice). 7. Godu Appo (Sweet Paniyaram). 8. Layee+ Pova Panchkadayi (Puffed Paddy Rice+ Beaten Rice Prasad). 9. Cheppi Kheeri (Rice cooked in coconut milk with turmeric leave). 10. Avanasache Sheera (Pineapple Pudding). 11. Tavushe’ + Moogadali Pachodi (Cucumber + Moong Dal Salad). 12. Pagila Podi (Spine Gourd Fries). 13. Harve Kele Podi (Raw Banana Fries). 14. Patrado (Colocasia Leaves Spirals). 15. Kele Upkari (Raw Banana Bhaji). 16. Taaka (Buttermilk). 17. Uddaka (Water). 18. Banana. 19. Mosambi. 20. Pears. 21. Apple …. That’s it … Go ahead and Enjoy .... 

|| OM GUM GANAPTHAYE NAMAHA ||

|| OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA ||

Sending across my Prayers And Warm Wishes to All my friends here ... A Very Happy And Prosperous Anant Chaturdashi ... May Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnu / Ananta remove all obstacles from our lives ... Provide us all with Auspicious Beginnings ... Inspire us on Creativity And Bless us with intellect And Wisdom ... 

|| Jai Guru Ganesh ||

|| Jai Jai Vittala Jai Hari Vittala ||

** Happy Ananat Chaturdashi to all my Friends … Stay Blessed.

** Disclaimer : Pictures and Story : Just a short story Compiled by me from various net sources and friends to the best of my knowledge. May differ from actual facts which is not intentional.