Anant Chaturdashi 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Families and Householders: Men and women observe this vrat for the protection, prosperity, and wellbeing of the whole family.
• Devotees of Lord Vishnu: Those devoted to Lord Vishnu in his endless form (Anant) pray for relief from troubles and the return of lost fortune.
• Devotees of Lord Ganesha: In Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat, this is also the day on which the Ganesh festival ends with the immersion of the idol (Ganesh Visarjan).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Bath and Sankalp: Done early, in Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn hours) or at sunrise.
• Puja Muhurat: The Anant Chaturdashi puja is done in the morning, in Purvahna (the forenoon). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Tying the Anant Sutra: Done at the end of the puja, once the thread has been worshipped.
• Ganesh Visarjan: Where the Ganesh festival is kept, the immersion follows later in the day; check the timings for your city on this page.

About the Festival

Anant Chaturdashi is a widely celebrated observance in which devotees worship Lord Vishnu in his endless form and tie a sacred protective thread, known as the Anant Sutra. It takes place on the Chaturdashi (fourteenth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada.

The Vrat Katha (Story of Sheela and Kaundinya)

Long ago, a learned Brahmin named Sumanta had a virtuous daughter named Sheela. After her mother passed away, she was married to the sage Kaundinya. On the way to his home, Kaundinya stopped by a river for his midday rites, and Sheela saw a group of women worshipping Lord Anant on Chaturdashi.

The women explained the vrat to her: "Tie a sacred thread of fourteen knots on your arm, worship Lord Vishnu, and offer food, and he will remove every sorrow and grant lasting happiness." Sheela took the vow, tied the Anant thread on her arm, and her household soon grew rich in wealth and grain.

One day, Kaundinya noticed the thread, mistook it for a charm, and, in anger, tore it off and threw it into the fire. From that moment, his wealth vanished and misfortune followed his family. Realising his mistake, he set out in search of Lord Anant, wandering through forests and rivers, until he finally found the Lord, who forgave him and advised him to keep the vrat for fourteen years.

Kaundinya and Sheela observed the vow faithfully, and their prosperity and peace returned. Since that day, devotees have tied the Anant Sutra on Anant Chaturdashi, seeking Lord Vishnu's protection.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Idol: Picture or idol of Lord Vishnu (or Lord Anant resting on Sheshnag) on a Chowki
• Anant Sutra: A thread with fourteen knots, dyed with Kumkum or turmeric, one for each person tying it
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Haldi, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Incense: A Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Dhoop or Agarbatti
• Sacred Water Container: A Kalash filled with fresh water, with mango leaves and a coconut
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Panchamrit, fruits, sweets, and Puris or Pua, with fourteen portions of each, as families commonly offer

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Lord Anant, today I observe your vrat and tie your sacred thread. Protect me and my family from sorrow, and grant us lasting happiness and prosperity."
3. Many devotees keep a fast or eat only sattvic food until the puja is done.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar

1. Clean the northeastern corner (Ishan Kone) or the puja room of your home.
2. Place the image of Lord Vishnu on a Chowki covered with a clean yellow or red cloth.
3. Set the Kalash filled with water near the image, and place the Anant Sutra beside it or on top of the Kalash.

Step 3: Performing the Puja

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense before Lord Vishnu.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, Haldi, and Akshat to the image and to the Anant Sutra.
3. Offering Flowers & Tulsi: Offer fresh flowers and Tulsi leaves to the Lord.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place Panchamrit, fruits, and sweets before the deity.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the Anant Chaturdashi Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After the story, offer the grains and petals at the feet of Lord Vishnu.

Step 5: Tying the Anant Sutra and Aarti

1. Worship the Anant Sutra and chant the name of Lord Anant while holding it in your hands.
2. Tie it on the right arm for men and the left arm for women (Anant Sutra Bandhan), with a prayer for the protection of your family.
3. Perform the Aarti of Lord Vishnu using the lit Ghee lamp. Where the Ganesh festival is kept, the Ganesh idol is given its farewell Aarti and immersed later in the day (Ganesh Visarjan).

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Closing the Day

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the prasad among family members and neighbours, and give charity (Daan) to the needy as you are able.
3. Take a simple sattvic meal after the puja, and keep the thread on the arm through the vow's period, as per family custom.