Anant Chaturdashi 1997: Surat, Gujarat

Ananta Chaturdashi falls on the fourteenth day of Bhadrapada's bright fortnight and carries twin significances: it is the day of Ananta Vrata (a vow of devotion to Lord Vishnu in his infinite, serpentine form) and it is the final day of the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival, marked by the public immersion of Ganesha idols.

The Ananta Vrata is one of the oldest thread-rites in Hindu tradition. Devotees tie a 14-knotted thread of yellow silk or cotton (the ananta-sutra) around their right wrist (men) or left wrist (women). The number 14 represents the fourteen worlds (lokas). Lord Vishnu, the Ananta (the infinite one), is propitiated through this vow maintained for 14 consecutive years. The Mahabharata records that Krishna advised Yudhishtira to observe this vrata to reclaim his lost kingdom.

Across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, this is the most emotionally charged day of Ganesh Chaturthi. Processions carry clay Ganesha idols to rivers, lakes, and the sea for visarjana (immersion) to the chant of "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varshi Laukar Yaa" (Beloved Ganesha, return again next year).