Anang Trayodashi is celebrated in Chaitra Shukla Paksha. This year it will be celebrated on Sunday, 21 April 2024. Anang Dev is worshipped on this day. Along with this, Lord Shiva is also worshipped on a larger scale.
चैत्रोत्सवे सकललोकमनोनिवासे
कामं त्रयोदशतिथौ च वसन्तयुक्तम्।
पत्न्या सहाच्र्य पुरुषप्रवरोथ योषि
त्सौभाग्यरूपसुतसौख्ययुत: सदा स्यात्।।
Anang Utsav in Chaitra month is a very beautiful and attractive day. At this time, the weather is also beautiful. On this day people prepare Rangoli outside their houses. Pradosh Yoga is also formed on Trayodashi Tithi. Both these Yogas are highly auspicious. When one observes the Anang Trayodashi fast it improves love in married life. The devotee is also blessed with children and a happy family.
The importance of this fast is mentioned in ancient scriptures too. Worshipping Anang Dev on this day blesses one with all materialistic pleasures. The wonderful spring colours in nature make this day very beautiful.
This fast can be observed by both men and women. This fast is considered very auspicious for those who do not have love in their lives. This day is very important as it is the favourite Tithi of Lord Shankar. Lord Shiva marked this day under the name of Anang Dev as a boon making it even more important. Women who desire good luck should definitely observe this fast. On observing this fast the longevity of the devotee and his/her life partner improves. Along with that, this also improves love in a person’s life.
Anang Trayodashi Puja Vidhi
The other name of Anang Dev is Kamdev. Anang means without body parts. Lord Shiva devoured all the body parts of Kamdev. Consequently, Rati pleaded to Lord Shiva. He empathised with Rati and once again gave life to Kamadeva. Kamadeva without his body parts came to be known as Anang Dev. On this day, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped.
The devotee receives good luck, happiness and fame by observing this fast. Along with this, there is never a lack of love in the devotee’s life. The devotee’s marital relationships and love relationships also improve. On this day Kamdev and Rati are also worshipped. On observing the Trayodashi fast one is blessed with children. Anang Trayodashi fast is observed on a grand scale in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Apart from this, Anang Trayodashi in December is mainly celebrated in North India. To observe the fast, one should bathe with Gangajal on the day of Anang Trayodashi. After that, one should wear clean white clothes. Lord Shiva’s name should be recited. Lord Ganesha should be worshipped and white flowers should be offered. Apart from this Panchamrit, Laddoo, dry fruits and bananas should be offered as Bhoga. Jal Abhishek should be done on Shivling while reciting the Mantra ‘ॐ नमः शिवाय’. Milk, curd, Eekh Ras, Ghee, and honey should also be used in the Abhishek.
White coloured items from clothes to sweets anything at all should be offered to Lord Shiva. Belpatra should also be offered to Lord Shiva. Thirteen items such as coins, Bel Patra, Ladoo, Patashe, etc. should be distributed in this fast. Offering Ashoka tree leaves and flowers in this Puja is also considered auspicious. Along with this Ghee Dipak should be lit in front of the Ashok tree. The following Mantra should be recited – ‘नमो रामाय कामाय कामदेवस्य मूर्तये। ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवेन्द्राणां नम: क्षेमकराय वै।।’
If possible, only fruits should be consumed while observing this fast. After the Jagran, Parna should be performed the next day. Food should be offered to the Brahmin and Dakshina should be given according to one’s capability in Parna.
Anang Trayodashi Vrat Katha
Lord Shiva gets very disturbed when Goddess Sati gives up her life in Daksha Prajapati’s Yagya. He lifts Sati’s dead body on his shoulders and leaves the place. This leads to upheaval in the universe and the destructive powers of nature become stronger. To end this crisis, Lord Vishnu divides the body of Sati in different parts and Lord Shiva starts meditating.
However, the tyranny of the demon Tarakasura keeps increasing day by day. He attacks Devlok and defeats Devraj Indra. This situation worries all the Devas. Lord Indra along with all the Devas visit Lord Brahma and seek his help to fight against Tarakasura and reclaim their kingdom. Lord Brahma thinks over this problem and then tells the Devas that only the son of Lord Shiva can kill Trakasur. This leads to even more stress as Lord Shiva was meditating and Goddess Sati is no more.
There was absolutely no scope of Goddess Sati bearing a son unless Lord Shiva gave life to Goddess Sati again. This would be possible only if Lord Shiva’s meditation is broken. Kamdev decides to wake Shiva from his meditative state. Kamdev breaks Lord Shiva’s meditation with the help of a Trishul.
However, Lord Shiva gets angry and opens his third eye. The eye that causes destruction. As a result, Kamadev loses his body. When everyone informs Lord Shiva as to why Kamdev broke his meditation, Lord Shiva realises his mistake and calms down.
Lord Shiva then decides to bless Kamadev with a life again. He informs Rati to wait till Trayodashi. Lord Shiva declares once Lord Vishnu will take birth in the form of Lord Krishna, Kamadev will take birth in the form of Pradyumn, the son of Lord Krishna. This way he will again get a life.
Anang Trayodashi: Kandarp Ishwar Darshan
Kamadev is also known as Kandarp. Worshipping Lord Kandarp in Ujjain on this day is considered highly auspicious. It is believed that the devotees who worship Lord Shiva and Lord Kandarp of Ujjain are blessed with a place in Dev Lok.
When Lord Shiva informs Rati about the rebirth of Kamadev in the form Pradyumn, he also mentions that whoever will observe Anang Trayodashi fast properly, will be blessed with a happy married life. They will also have peace, calm and wealth in their married life. The devotee will also be blessed with a child on observing the fast.