South Anang Trayodashi Vrat 2023 Date, Time, Rituals & Importance
Lord Shiva is honored on the sacred fasting day of South Anang Trayodashi Vrat. In the southern regions of India, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, it is celebrated on ‘trayodashi’ (the thirteenth day) during ‘Shukla Paksha’ (the waxing phase of the moon) in the Hindu lunar month ‘Chaitra’. This date corresponds to the months of mid-March to mid-April on the Gregorian calendar. In Northern India, however, Anang Trayodashi Vrat occurs during the month of Margashirsha. During the one-year celebrations of South Anang Trayodashi Vrat, devotees honor the deities Anang and Rati. It is widely believed that a person who observes this vrat with complete devotion will be blessed with affluence, good health, and prosperity.
South Anang Trayodashi Vrat Date 2023
Sunday, 21 April 2023
Rituals on South Anang Trayodashi Vrat
- For the South Anang trayodashi Vrat, devotees rise early and take a ceremonial ablution just before sunrise.
- On the day of South Anang Trayodashi Vrat, devotees perform modest puja and rituals to honor Lord Shiva.
- Lord Kamdev and Devi Rati are also revered alongside Lord Shiva.
- Fasting is an essential daily ritual. The observer of the South Anang trayodashi Vrat abstains from eating and drinking throughout the entire day.
- The fast is broken at night after all rituals and puja have been performed.
Brahmins are welcomed in households. On South Anang Trayodashi Vrat, a special supper is prepared and first served to Brahmins. - Later, the Brahmins receive bountiful donations in the form of grains, money, and other goods.
Significance of South Anang Trayodashi Vrat
The significance of South Anang Trayodashi Vrat is described in numerous Hindu religious texts, such as the Garuda Purana. The Hindi term ‘Anang’ means ‘one without a body. According to Hindu mythology, Kamdev is referred to as “Anang” because he was reduced to embers by Lord Shiva just prior to the Tarakasura Vadha. Devi Rati, the wife of Kamdev, then conducted severe penance and praying to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, pleased by her piety, renamed Kamdev ‘Anang’. Devi Rati was the only one who could see Kamdev’s entire body, while the others could only see his head.
On this particular day, Hindu devotees honor Lord Shiva alongside Kamdev (Lord Manmatha) and his consort, Devi Rati. It is believed that a devotee who observes the fast and other rituals on Anang Trayodashi will receive Lord Shiva’s blessing and ultimately attain salvation. Those who observe the South Anang Trayodashi Vrat are also granted pleasure and prosperity throughout their lives. Few additional benefits of observing the South Anang Trayodashi Vrat are fruitful family relations and marital contentment.
