Anant Chaturdashi

Anant Chaturdashi honors Lord Vishnu in his infinite form (Ananta) and marks the final day of the extended Ganesh Chaturthi observance, when Ganesha idols are ceremonially immersed in water.

When is Anant Chaturdashi celebrated?

Anant Chaturdashi falls on Chaturdashi (the fourteenth Tithi) of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada, typically in September on the Gregorian calendar, marking the tenth and final day for those observing the longer Ganesh Chaturthi tradition.

Why is Anant Chaturdashi celebrated?

The day honors Vishnu’s eternal, infinite nature through worship of the Ananta Sutra, a sacred thread tied around the wrist, and separately marks the close of Ganesh Chaturthi’s public and household celebrations with the visarjan (immersion) of Ganesha idols.

Religious and spiritual significance

The Ananta Vrat observed on this day is dedicated to Vishnu as Ananta, representing the infinite, unending nature of the divine. Separately and simultaneously, the day’s Ganesha visarjan is treated as a significant, often emotional community event, symbolizing the deity’s return to his cosmic abode after his visit.

History and background

The Ananta Vrat is described in the Mahabharata, where Krishna is said to have taught it to Yudhishthira as a way to restore the Pandavas’ fortunes. The scale of Ganesh visarjan processions on this day, particularly in Mumbai and Pune, has grown substantially since the late 19th century alongside the broader public growth of Ganeshotsav.

Mythological story

The following reflects traditional belief and scripture, not verified historical fact.

According to the Mahabharata, after losing their kingdom, Yudhishthira asked Krishna how to restore the Pandavas’ fortune. Krishna described the Ananta Vrat, a vow to Vishnu in his Ananta (infinite) form, involving tying a sacred fourteen-knotted thread on the wrist. Observing the vrat with devotion, in this telling, is what ultimately helped restore the Pandavas’ fortunes.

How Anant Chaturdashi is traditionally celebrated

• Tying the Ananta Sutra, a sacred thread with fourteen knots, around the wrist during puja.
• Fasting and reciting the Ananta Vrat Katha, the traditional story associated with the observance.
• Ganesh Visarjan — large public processions carrying Ganesha idols to rivers, lakes, or the sea for ceremonial immersion, especially elaborate in Maharashtra.

Important rituals and customs

• Worshipping a form of Vishnu represented by a coiled serpent (Ananta/Shesha) during the vrat.
• Chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya” (“come again next year”) during Ganesh visarjan processions.
• Community farewell gatherings and music accompanying the idols to their immersion site.

Regional variations

The Ananta Vrat observance is more common in North and West India, while Ganesh Visarjan is celebrated with particular scale in Maharashtra and Goa, where entire cities, especially Mumbai and Pune, hold major public processions culminating on this day for those following the full 10 or 11-day Ganeshotsav.

Related festivals

Anant Chaturdashi marks the close of the extended Ganesh Chaturthi observance for households and communities following the longer 10 or 11-day tradition.

Related Panchang concepts

• Tithi & Paksha — understand the lunar day Anant Chaturdashi is calculated from (Chaturdashi, Shukla Paksha).
• Hindu Calendar Months — learn about Bhadrapada and the rest of the Hindu lunisolar month cycle.
• Full Year Panchang — look up this year’s date for Anant Chaturdashi and every other festival at a glance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ananta Sutra?
A sacred thread with fourteen knots, tied around the wrist as part of the Ananta Vrat puja on this day, dedicated to Vishnu in his infinite form.

Is Anant Chaturdashi the same as Ganesh Visarjan?
They fall on the same day for those observing the full 10 or 11-day Ganesh Chaturthi tradition, but Anant Chaturdashi is its own distinct observance honoring Vishnu, which happens to coincide with the final day of Ganesha’s immersion.