Anant Chaturdashi 2026: Ananta Vrat, Anant Sutra, Story and Ganesh Visarjan
Friday 25 September 2026 carries two distinct observances: the Vishnu-centred Ananta Padmanabha Vratam with its 14-knot anant sutra, and Ganesh Visarjan. Here is how to keep them separate, plus the story, the knots and the puja vidhi.
Friday 25 September 2026 carries two distinct observances: the Vishnu-centred Ananta Padmanabha Vratam with its 14-knot anant sutra, and Ganesh Visarjan. Here is how to keep them separate, plus the story, the knots and the puja vidhi.
Quick answer: Anant Chaturdashi 2026 falls on Friday, 25 September 2026. The day carries two separate observances: the Ananta Padmanabha Vratam, a Vishnu vrat in which devotees tie a 14-knot anant sutra, and Ganesh Visarjan, the immersion that ends the 10-day Ganeshotsav. Confirm tithi and muhurat timings from your local panchang.
Anant Chaturdashi 2026 arrives on Friday, 25 September 2026, and it is one of those Hindu dates that quietly holds two different devotional worlds inside a single day. On the same tithi, one household may be tying a thread of fourteen knots in front of an image of Vishnu, while a neighbouring household is carrying a Ganesh idol to water for immersion. Both are correct. Both belong to the day. The purpose of this article is to keep them clearly separated so you can observe whichever tradition is yours without confusion.
The first observance is the Ananta Padmanabha Vratam, a vrat dedicated to Vishnu in his Ananta (endless) form, resting on the serpent Shesha. It is observed most visibly in Telugu, Kannada and Maharashtrian households, though it is by no means limited to them. The second observance is Ganesh Visarjan, the tenth-day conclusion of Ganeshotsav, which begins on Ganesh Chaturthi. For everything about the immersion itself, we link you to our existing Ganesh visarjan guide rather than repeat it here.
- Festival: Anant Chaturdashi (Ananta Padmanabha Vratam)
- Date 2026: Friday, 25 September 2026
- Tithi: Chaturdashi of Shukla Paksha
- Also on this day: Ganesh Visarjan (10th day of Ganeshotsav)
- Deity: Vishnu as Ananta Padmanabha (also Ganesha for visarjan)
- Ritual thread: Anant sutra with 14 knots
- Strongest in: Telugu, Kannada, Maharashtrian homes
- Confirm timings: From your local panchang
When is Anant Chaturdashi in 2026?
Anant Chaturdashi is the Chaturdashi (fourteenth lunar day) of the bright fortnight, Shukla Paksha. In 2026 the observance falls on Friday, 25 September. Because it sits close to the turn of the lunar month, it is worth noting how the two common Hindu calendar systems label the surrounding month, so that the date does not confuse readers who follow different reckonings.
Under the Purnimanta system used across much of North India, this period is still within Bhadrapada, which under Purnimanta runs roughly from 29 August to 26 September 2026. Under the Amanta system used across much of the South and West, Bhadrapada runs roughly from 12 September to 11 October 2026, so Anant Chaturdashi falls in Amanta Bhadrapada as well. The tithi is the same in both systems; only the month-naming convention differs. Neither system is more correct than the other; they are simply two valid conventions. If you would like the full explanation, see our guide on the Amanta and Purnimanta calendars linked below.
| Calendar system | Month containing Anant Chaturdashi | Approximate month span 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Purnimanta (North India) | Bhadrapada | ~29 Aug – 26 Sep |
| Amanta (South & West) | Bhadrapada | ~12 Sep – 11 Oct |
Two observances on one day — keep them separate
The most common confusion around this date is treating Anant Chaturdashi and Ganesh Visarjan as one and the same. They are not. They share a calendar slot but honour different deities and follow different rituals.
- Ananta Padmanabha Vratam — a Vishnu vrat, centred on the anant sutra of fourteen knots, naivedyam, and the reading or hearing of the Ananta story. This is the observance this article explains in detail.
- Ganesh Visarjan — the ceremonial immersion of the Ganesh idol on the tenth day of Ganeshotsav. For the immersion procedure, muhurat, and city-wise notes, please read our dedicated Ganesh visarjan guide.
For anything to do with the Ganesh festival — its start date, the 10-day arc, and the immersion — use the existing cluster: the Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 pillar and the Ganesh Visarjan 2026 dates and vidhi. This article stays with the Ananta Padmanabha Vratam.
The story: Kaundinya and Sushila
The vrat is traditionally explained through the Mahabharata-linked story of the sage Kaundinya and his wife Sushila, and its wider frame involving the Pandavas. As the story is commonly told, Sushila once observed the Ananta vrat with devotion and tied the sacred anant sutra on her arm. Her husband Kaundinya, a learned but proud man, noticed the thread and, dismissing it as mere superstition, had it removed and cast into fire. From that point their fortunes are said to have declined.
Distressed, Kaundinya eventually understood that his disrespect toward the vrat and the thread lay behind his troubles. He set out in search of Ananta, and through humility and sincere devotion he is said to have regained the grace he had lost. The lesson carried by the story is not about magical reward but about shraddha — sincerity and respect toward what one undertakes. In the Pandava frame, the vrat is also connected with their period of hardship and eventual restoration, which is why the observance is associated with steadiness through difficult times.
Read as tradition, the story teaches humility, constancy and respect for the vows one takes; it is not a promise of any particular material outcome.
The 14 knots and the 14 lokas
The heart of the vrat is the anant sutra, a thread — usually cotton, often dyed with turmeric or in red — tied with fourteen knots. The number fourteen is understood to correspond to the fourteen lokas, the fourteen worlds of traditional cosmology: the seven upper worlds (such as Bhu, Bhuvah, Svah and beyond) and the seven lower worlds. By tying and honouring the fourteen knots, the devotee symbolically acknowledges Ananta as the endless one who pervades all fourteen worlds. Some households prepare a fresh sutra each year; others use a thread specially made for the vrat.
Which arm, when, and how long it is worn
Customs vary by region and family, and all the following variations are equally valid — follow your family's practice where it differs.
- The sutra is tied during the puja, after the offering to Ananta, so that it is first sanctified before it is worn.
- By common custom, men tie the anant sutra on the right arm and women on the left, though family and regional practice varies.
- It is worn respectfully for the duration observed by the household — some remove it the same day or the next, others keep it for a set number of days as per family tradition.
- When it is time to remove it, the sutra is not thrown into ordinary waste. It is disposed of respectfully — commonly immersed in flowing or clean water, or kept aside with care.
- If a fresh sutra is made each year, the previous year's thread is likewise given a respectful disposal rather than discarded casually.
The darbha Ananta and the puja setup
In many traditions, especially Telugu and Kannada households, a small representation of Ananta-Shesha is prepared from darbha grass (kusha), coiled to suggest the serpent with its hoods, and placed in a kalasha or on the puja platform. This darbha Ananta, or a picture or idol of Ananta Padmanabha reclining on Shesha, becomes the focus of worship. A kalasha with water, a coconut, and fresh flowers are arranged, and the anant sutra is placed before the deity to be sanctified during the puja.
Naivedyam
The naivedyam offered varies by region, and each version is authentic to its community. Common offerings include sweet preparations, fruits, and dishes made from wheat or other grains; many Maharashtrian homes offer specific sweets associated with the day, while Telugu and Kannada households have their own customary preparations. Whatever is offered is prepared with cleanliness and devotion and shared afterwards as prasadam.
Puja vidhi — a simple outline
The following is a general outline. Timings for the tithi and any muhurat should be confirmed from your local panchang, as they vary by place and year; this article does not print exact clock times.
- Bathe and wear clean clothes; clean the puja space in the morning.
- Set up the darbha Ananta or an image of Ananta Padmanabha, with a kalasha, coconut and flowers.
- Place the anant sutra with its fourteen knots before the deity.
- Perform sankalpa, invoke Ananta, and offer the usual upacharas — water, flowers, incense, lamp.
- Recite or listen to the Ananta vrat story of Kaundinya and Sushila.
- Offer the naivedyam, do aarti, and then tie the sanctified anant sutra on the appropriate arm.
- Distribute prasadam; observe the sutra and its later disposal per family custom.
The Friday-into-weekend diaspora advantage
In 2026, Anant Chaturdashi lands on a Friday, which is a practical gift for families in the diaspora. A Friday observance flows straight into the weekend, giving working households and students time to prepare the puja, cook the naivedyam and, where relevant, participate in Ganesh visarjan gatherings without taking a weekday off. For NRI families balancing local calendars with the Hindu panchang, this is an easier year than most. If you are deciding which panchang to follow abroad, our guide on that question, linked below, walks through the considerations.
Related reading
- Bhadrapada Masam 2026 — the full month guide
- September 2026 Hindu festival calendar
- Amanta vs Purnimanta calendars explained
- Which panchang should NRIs follow?
- Ganesh Visarjan 2026 dates and vidhi
- Pitru Paksha 2026
- Ekadashi dates 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Anant Chaturdashi in 2026?
Anant Chaturdashi 2026 falls on Friday, 25 September 2026, on the Chaturdashi of Shukla Paksha. Please confirm the exact tithi start and end and any muhurat from your local panchang, as these vary by location and year.
Is Anant Chaturdashi the same as Ganesh Visarjan?
No. They share the same day but are two separate observances. Anant Chaturdashi is the Ananta Padmanabha Vratam dedicated to Vishnu, with the 14-knot anant sutra. Ganesh Visarjan is the immersion that ends the 10-day Ganeshotsav; see our dedicated Ganesh visarjan guide for that.
Does the Amanta or Purnimanta system change the date?
No. The tithi, Shukla Chaturdashi, is the same in both systems, so Anant Chaturdashi is on 25 September 2026 in both. The systems only differ in month-naming: under Purnimanta the surrounding month is Bhadrapada (~29 Aug–26 Sep), and under Amanta it is also Bhadrapada (~12 Sep–11 Oct). Neither is more correct.
Why does the anant sutra have 14 knots?
The fourteen knots are traditionally understood to correspond to the fourteen lokas, the seven upper and seven lower worlds of Hindu cosmology. Tying and honouring them symbolises devotion to Ananta, the endless one who pervades all fourteen worlds.
Which arm should the anant sutra be tied on?
By common custom, men tie it on the right arm and women on the left, though family and regional practice varies and all such variations are valid. The sutra is tied during the puja after it has been sanctified before the deity.
How long is the anant sutra worn and how is it removed?
Practice varies by family — some remove it the same day or next, others keep it for a set number of days. When removed, it is disposed of respectfully, commonly by immersing it in flowing or clean water, rather than thrown into ordinary waste.
What is the darbha Ananta?
In many Telugu and Kannada households a small coiled figure of Ananta-Shesha is made from darbha (kusha) grass to suggest the serpent, and placed in or beside a kalasha as the focus of worship, alongside or in place of a picture of Ananta Padmanabha reclining on Shesha.
What naivedyam is offered on Anant Chaturdashi?
Offerings vary by region and each is authentic — sweets, fruits and dishes made from wheat or other grains are common, with Maharashtrian, Telugu and Kannada households each having their customary preparations. Everything is made with cleanliness and shared afterwards as prasadam.
