Observing Ananta Chaturdashi Vrata Drives Away Miseries from Life
The Chaturdashi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada is celebrated as Ananta Chaturdashi. This year, the festive occasion of Anant Chaturdashi falls on the Saturday the 6th of September 2025. On this auspicious day, women observe fasts and pray to Lord Ananta for the long life and good health of their husbands. They seek blessings for prosperity and good fortune. The person, who observes this Vrata, wakes up early on the holy day and takes a resolve to fulfill all the rituals devotedly. Lord Vishnu is invoked by devotees on this occasion and an offering comprising of flowers, incense sticks, oil lamps, turmeric, vermilion along with fruits, sweets and milk is made to Him. While this ritual is done, the worshippers chant the mantra, “Om Ananta Namah”. After the prayers, the devotees listen to the Vrata Katha.
Ananta Sutra – the Blessed Thread
Once the Vrata Katha is over, devotees wear the ‘Ananta Sutra’, (a sacred thread coloured with turmeric and vermilion and knotted at 14 places) which is consecrated as a part of the ritual, on their wrists. Men wear it on their right wrist and women wear it on the left. The ‘Ananta Sutra’ is also known as ‘Raksha Sutra’ as it is considered as a mark of protection. While wearing this holy thread, a devotee chants the following mantra:
“Anantasansarmahasamudre Magnan Samabhyuddhar Vasudeva
Anantarupe Viniyojitatmamahya Namohnamaste”
A Day of Service and Prayers
After the thread is worn, the devotee donates things to Brahmins and feeds them. The devotee breaks her fast only after the Brahmins have taken their food. It is a ritual to eat salt-free food on this day.
The ‘Ananta Katha’ or the Story of Lord Ananta
In the ancient age, there lived a saint named Sumantu. He had a daughter named Sheela. Sheela grew up to be a fine woman with good qualities. At the right time, she got married to a brahmin named Kaundinya. After the marriage, once it so happened, that she came to know about the 14- year Ananta vow, by observing which, one attains wealth and enlightenment. She decided to observe the Ananta vow and started to follow the rituals of the vrata. As a result, Sheela and Kaundinya became wealthy and prosperous. One day, Kaundinya saw the holy Ananta thread on Sheela’s left hand. On enquiring her, he came to know about the vrata. However, he did not agree with Sheela that the reason of their prosperity is due to Ananta vrata and not because of his efforts and knowledge. Gradually, their conversation turned into a heated argument and in the heat of the moment, Kaundinya tore the Ananta string from Sheela’s hand and threw it into fire. As a result of this action, the couple started facing hardships in life and soon became poor. Kaundinya realized his mistakes and decided to amend his doings by going through a rigorous penance. He worshipped Lord Ananta, day and night, but was unable to see Him. Crestfallen, he went deep into a forest in search of the Lord. Unable to find any answer, he decided to end his life. Just then, a hermit appeared before him and asked him to go to a cave. Kaundinya reached the cave and to his dismay, found Lord Vishnu there. Shree Vishnu advised Kaundinya to observe Ananta Chaturdashi to regain his fortune and wealth. Kaundinya followed what he had been advised by God and observed the Ananta-vow for 14 consecutive years. By the grace of Lord Ananta, Kaundinya and Sheela one again, attained a blissful life.
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