Ananta Brata is a holy festival celebrated mainly by Hindus in Odisha. This Osa is a celebration of the eternal deity believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Anata Brata Osha falls on the 14th day of the fortnight of Bhadrava (August-September). On this auspicious day, Vishnu sleeps on the bed of Anant in the Milky Ocean and is worshipped and meditated upon. On this day, 14 types of fruits are offered to Lord Vishnu along with fasting. During the Ananta Brata Puja, a 14-knot green thread is tied on the right hand. It ensures protection against evil, prosperity, and happiness. During exile, the Pandava princes observed this fast to regain their lost kingdom, wealth, prestige, and happiness. Some people also observed “Habisa” taking raw cooked rice and some boiled pulses and vegetables without spices. Anant means endless, infinite. During the fast on this day, worshippers are believed to be awarded infinite happiness through the blessings of God Vishnu.
Anata Brata Osha
Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar and Jagannath Temple in Puri have many idols of Ananta Vasudeva, and special pujas are currently being performed in these temples. The medieval Vaisnavism in South Odisha bears a lot of examples of different forms of worship of Lord Vishnu for personal lives and social life benefits. The concentration and meditation on the lord on this day create devotion in the mind and keep it away from ill deeds and crimes. Social discipline and integral relations also come into account. Arrogance, anger, pride, ditching, and humiliating others. The purpose of this Brata is to be kind to humans and animals and refrain from lying. The origin of Vaishnavism, or worship of Vishnu, goes back even to the Vedic age. In the history of Odisha‘s religious life, already mentioned earlier, there were various trends of religious beliefs.
