In Sanatan Dharma, the festival of Ganesh Utsav is considered highly auspicious. Its concluding festival, Anant Chaturdashi, will be celebrated on September 25 this year. This date holds special significance in Hinduism; Anant Chaturdashi is associated with the worship of the 'Anant' (infinite) form of Lord Vishnu as well as the immersion (*Visarjan*) of Ganpati Bappa. During Ganesh Utsav, devotees worship Lord Ganesh with prescribed rituals for several days and bid Him farewell with reverence and respect on Anant Chaturdashi. Pandit Kalki Ram from Ayodhya explains that it is important to observe the auspicious timings for worship and immersion on this day. On this day, the immersion of Ganpati takes place alongside the worship of Lord Vishnu's infinite form.

**Timings**
Pandit Kalki Ram states that the Chaturdashi Tithi (lunar day) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Bhadrapada month will begin at 11:18 PM on September 24 and end at 11:08 PM on September 25. Based on the *Udaya Tithi* (the sunrise tithi), the festival of Anant Chaturdashi will be celebrated on September 25. The immersion of Ganesh idols will also take place on this day. The auspicious time (*Muhurat*) for Anant Chaturdashi worship will be from 6:11 AM to 11:06 AM.

**Taking Away Sorrows and Suffering**
Pandit Kalki Ram says that during Ganesh Utsav, Ganpati is welcomed into the home as a guest. Devotees worship Him for several days and offer *bhog* (ritual food offerings) consisting of *modaks*, fruits, and other items He favors. In return, Lord Ganesh removes obstacles and hindrances from His devotees' lives and blesses them with happiness, prosperity, and auspiciousness. On Anant Chaturdashi, Ganpati is bid farewell with proper rituals. According to Pandit Kalki Ram, before the immersion, devotees perform *Aarti* for Lord Ganesh and pray for the happiness, peace, and prosperity of their families. Religious belief holds that during the immersion, Ganpati takes away the sorrows, suffering, and obstacles of His devotees along with Him.

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