History and Significance of Ishti and Anvadhan Rituals

Lord Vishnu is one of the most worshipped and recognized Gods in India. Devotees of Lord Vishnu are not confined to any one religion but Lord Vishnu has devotes of varying religions and they find positivity and strength in their prayers and offerings to lord Vishnu. Though, the preponderance of devotees worshipping Lord Vishnu belongs to the Vaishnava Sampradaya.

The Anvadhan and Ishti are the most auspicious days for the natives of this Vaishnava Sampradaya itself. They celebrate the Purnima (full moon) and Amavasya (new moon) as the two sacred days of the month. This custom is very popular and well-recognized in particularly the Hindu religion since both these days Purnima and Amavasya have a special meaning and importance in Sanskrit.

Anvadhan term in Sanskrit refers to the custom of adding fuel to keep the sacred fire burning after carrying out the Agnihotra (a homam or a havan). On this auspicious day, the natives belonging to the Vaishnava Sampradaya as a ritual keep a day-long fast.

Ishti is a custom that the devotees perform for a short period of time in order to pray for the fulfillment of their wishes. This custom is like a 'havan' that that continues for a few hours, different from those that last for a complete day, weeks, months or even years. Ishti in informal term means desire. The Sanskrit term Ishti, in the broader picture, refers to the act of performing a deed and invoking a deity to gain something.

The followers of Vaishnava Sampradaya or the devotees of Shri Vishnu hold the 2 days of Ishti and Anvadhan with much importance. On the day of new moon, the Anvadhan custom takes place and on the day of full moon, the Ishti custom occurs Hence the occurrence of these significant rituals happens two times a month. Devotees worships to the supreme nurturer of this universe, the Lord Vishnu using 24-carat gold plated items.

• Ishti and Anvadhan are two rituals observed by devotees of Lord Vishnu.

• Anvadhan term in Sanskrit refers to the custom of adding fuel to keep the sacred fire of havan burning.

• Ishti is the act of performing a custom to fulfill a desire.

What is Vaishnava Sampradaya?

Vaishnava Sampradaya, also known as Vaishnavism is a section in the Hindu religion where people worship Lord Vishnu as the primary almighty god, the supreme power. Lord Vishnu is one of the gods from the trio of deities that together forms a divine trinity, the other two gods from the divine trinity are Brahma and Mahesh (Lord Shiva). Lord Brahma is believed to be the creator who created everything, Lord Vishnu is the protector, the guardian of everything and Lord Shiva is the destroyer, in times of need Lord Shiva will be the one to carry out the task of destruction. But we talk about Vaishnavites, these people have their world revolving around Lord Vishnu. The several main incarnations or what we call it as avatars of Lord Vishnu are celebrated as Dashavataram. Lord Vishnu has already appeared in the nine different forms and the 10th one is yet to arrive as the Kalki, in the present Yuga, that is the Kaliyuga.

• Vaishnava Sampradaya, popularly known by the name of Vaishnavism is a section from the followers of Hinduism who is devoted to Lord Vishnu and considers him as their superior power. History says that it is one of the biggest communities of devotees that constitute for almost 67.7% of people who follow Hinduism.

• Lord Vishnu is the nurturer and protector of all living beings on the planet earth. He along side with Lord Brahma (who is also known as the creator) and the Lord Shiva (who is also known as the destroyer) are the ultimate rulers of the Universe. Nonetheless, for the Vaishnavas, their entire world revolves around perpetual protector of life, Lord Vishnu.

• Vaishnavas pay reverence to the different important incarnations (what we call as avatars) of Lord Vishnu. Who is most commonly known as Dashavataram.

Ishti & Anvadhan 2021 Rituals

The fundamental and most significant ritual of Ishti & Anvadhan is Yajna. The fascinating fact about the Yajnas conducted for Anvadhan and Ishti is that these do not last for two or more days, like any other religious Yajnas.

Both the Anvadhan and Ishti, Yajnas are conducted only for 1 whole day and this makes it simple for the devotees to come and watch it or even take participation in it in the first place.

Significance of Anvadhan and Ishti

• Natives of the Vaishnava Sampradaya, keep a prolonged fast in the honor of their great God, Vishnu. Term Anvadhan in Sanskrit mean signifies the act where devotees add fuel to the sacred fire of the havan. In the case where the fire subsides then it is not considered to be a good sign. For that reason it is taken care that after the start of havan, the fire must keep burning.

• The Sanskrit term Ishti refers to the act of doing noble things with the blessings from the god. On the auspicious day of the Ishti ritual, devotees of lord Vishnu arrange for a havan and it lasts only for a few hours. According to the beliefs, on this propitious day, if you also desire for something from the Lord, it will experience the light of fulfillment.

• Anvadhan occurrence takes place on 22nd of April while Ishti the other significant ritual will commence on the April 23rd.

• All these propitious rituals have a special mention in Hindu calendars and also, all the devotees follow all the rules and vidhis related with these days with complete devotion.

• All the devotees strongly believe that keeping a fast on two of these auspicious will bring fortune and happiness in their life, and hence they follow with complete devotion. Most importantly they believe this will act as catalyst in the fulfillment of all desires.