South Anang Trayodashi Vrat

South Anang Trayodashi Vrat is a sacred fasting day that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. In the southern regions of India, Gujarat and Maharashtra, it is observed on the ‘trayodashi’ (13th day) during the ’Shukla Paksha’ (the period of waxing phase of moon) in the Hindu lunar month of ‘Chaitra’. In the Gregorian calendar, this date corresponds to the months of mid-March to mid-April. However Anang Trayodashi Vrat falls in the ‘Margashirsha’ month in North India. During the auspicious celebrations of South Anang Trayodashi Vrat, devotees worship Anang and Rati for a period of one year. There is a strong conviction that a person observing this vrat with full devotion will be blessed with wealth, good health and prosperity.

South Anang Trayodashi Vrat 2024 is on April 21 Sunday

Lord Shiva

Rituals during South Anang Trayodashi Vrat:

• Devotees get up early for the South Anang trayodashi Vrat and take a ceremonial bath just before sunrise.
• On the day of South Anang Trayodashi Vrat, devotees worship Lord Shiva with simple puja and rituals. In addition to Lord Shiva, devotees also worship Lord Kamdev and Devi Rati.
• Fasting is an important ritual of the day. The observer of the South Anang trayodashi Vrat does not eat or even drink anything all through the day. The fast is broken at night after completing all the puja and rituals.
• Brahmins are invited at homes. Special meal is prepared on South Anang Trayodashi Vrat and first offered to the Brahmins. Later generous donations are given to the Brahmins in the form of grains, money and other commodities.

Important Timings On South Anang Trayodashi Vrat 2024

Significance of South Anang Trayodashi Vrat:

The importance of South Anang Trayodashi Vrat has been explained in several Hindu religious scriptures like ‘Garuda Purana’. ‘Anang’ is a Hindi word implying ‘one without body’. As per the Hindu legends, Kamdev is referred as ‘Anang’ as he was burnt into ashes by Lord Shiva, just before the Tarakasura Vadha. Devi Rati, Kamdev’s wife then performed a severe penance and offered prayers to Lord Shiva. Pleased by her austerity Lord Shiva returned Kamdev as ‘Anang’. Devi Rati could only see Kamdev with full body while the rest could only see his head.

On this chosen day, Hindu devotees worship Lord Shiva along with Kamdev (Lord Manmatha) and Devi Rati, his consort. It is believed that one who devotedly performs the fasting and other rituals on Anang Trayodashi will be blessed by Lord Shiva and ultimately seek salvation. The observer of the South Anang Trayodashi Vrat is also bestowed with happiness and prosperity during his/her lifetime. Fruitful family relations and marital bliss are few more great benefits of observing the South Anang Trayodashi Vrat.