Ganpati Bappa is headed home. Anant Chaturdashi or Ganesh Visarjan marks the end of the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi. On this day, people bid farewell to the Lord Ganesha idol and with immersion/visarjan. 

Anant Chaturdashi is a day to worship Lord Vishnu’s Ananta form. As per Hindu belief, the form existed before the universe was created, and he was the one who produced Lord Brahma – the preserver. The day is observed every year on the Chaturthi tithi of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha.  This year, Anant Chaturdashi will be observed on September 19. On this day, after worshipping Lord Vishnu, the 14 knots “Anant Sutra ” is tied to the hand.

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On the day, the story of Anant Chaturdashi is recited while bathing and worshipping Lord Vishnu. An Anant Sutra is made by tying14 sacred knots to a cotton thread with turmeric, kumkum and saffron. After creating the Sutra, Achutaya Namah, Anantaya Namah, Govinday Namah mantras of Lord Vishnu are offered. Devotees observe a day-long fast and tie the s Anant Sutra to seek blessings for a prosperous and peaceful life. 

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The Anant Sutra is then tied to the right hand as a prasad of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that tying this thread protects an individual from all kinds of evil forces and enemies and Lord Vishnu protects its devotees after the Anant Sutra is tied to the hand. The sutra is supposed to be removed at nigh and immersed in a holy river or lake the next day. If a devotee fails to immerse it the next day, they have to wear the Anant Sutra for the next 14 days. If they miss the immersion even after 14 days, the person has to then wear this Sutra for the entire year and wait for the occasion to come again. 

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Anant Chaturdashi 2021: Date and shubh muhurat

Date: September 19, Sunday

Chaturdashi Tithi Begins – 05:59 AM on September 19, 2021

Chaturdashi Tithi Ends – 05:28 AM on September 20, 2021

Puja Muhurat – 06:08 AM to 05:28 AM, September 20