Anant Chaturdashi
The 14th day of the bright half of Bhadrapad is the day of the immersion
of Ganpati. On this day some people observe a vow in honour of Vishnu, which if
kept for 14 years is supposed to bring wealth. On this day, the festival of
Ganpati comes to an end, the installed Murti's of Lord Ganpati are taken to a
lake, river or a sea in great processions to be immersed in the waters. Thus
Lord Ganesha is departed, only to be welcomed the next year with equal
excitement.
The story behind this festival goes like:
Sushila and Kaundinya
There was a Brahmin named Sumant. From his wife Diksha he had a daughter
named Sushila. After the death of Diksha Sumant married Karkash, who began to
give a lot of trouble to Sushila. Sushila married Kaundinya, and both decided to
leave the house to avoid the harassment of the step-mother. On the way they
stopped near a river. Kaundinya went to take bath, and Sushila joined a group of
women who were performing worship. They told Sushila that they were worshipping
"Anant".
"What kind of worship is this?" Sushila asked.
Anant's Vow
They told her that it was Anant's vow. Then they explained to her the
importance of that vow. Some fried "Gharga" (made of flour) and "anarase"
(special food) are prepared. Half of them have to be given to the Brahmins. A
hooded snake (cobra) made of "darbha" (sacred grass) is put in a bamboo basket.
Then the snake ("shesh") is worshipped with scented flowers, oil lamp and
incense sticks. Food is offered to the snake and a silk string is kept before
the god, and tied to the wrist. This string is called "anant", it has 14 knots,
and is coloured with "Kunkum". Women tie the "anant" on their left hand and men
on their right. The purpose of this vow is to obtain divinity and wealth, and is
kept for 14 years.