Maha Vishnu is said to be Athi Devatha of all. He has lots of Names and of which, The thiru naamam "Sri Ananthan" is said to have a special effect and greatness. So, this Ananthan is the Parabrahmam and serves for the entire human community.
This Anantha Viradham usually falls in the month of Purattasi (Sept) Sukla Paktsha Chaturdasi.
Procedure for performing this vrat:
1. At the end of the Vrat, invite 14 Andhanars and treat them in a good manner, Serve them with good food.
2. Use 14 kinds of food items and every food item should be served in a count of 14
3. This Viradham should be followed for 14 years (i.e.) once in every year, for 14 years.
The important ritual during the Vrata is tying of the sacred thread on hand. First, the performers of the Vrata place the threads along with the idol of Lord Anantha padmanabha Swamy to sanctify them. The thread is worshipped by placing kum kum on it. This sacred thread is referred as Anantha Daarama ( Daaram means thread). It is made up of 14 threads. Some people make it of 14 knots.
Women tie Anantha Daaram on their left hand and men on their right hand. In some places, devotees make a serpent form of Lord Vishnu, Serpent Anantha, using Dhurva grass blades and they place on a bamboo basket and worship
The Story behind this vrat:
Once, in Kruthayugam, a Muni by named Seemanthu lead his life peacefully. His wife name is Deeksha. After giving birth to a lady kid, she died. The name of the newborn baby is “Seela”. To take care of the child, Muni married another woman and her name is Garkasaa. She had a cruel mentality and did not care for Seela.
As years passed, Seela attained the marriage age and was married to a good-hearted person by named Goundiyam. Muni wanted to give some products as “seedhanam”, but his wife stopped him from doing so. Knowing her father's position, Seela worried for him and for her fate and went along with Goundiyan.
As they were traveling, Seela had a chance to see lots of women crowded near the Shore of Yamuna River. Seela went towards them and asked what they were doing.
They all explained about the pooja. As on hearing about this seela performed the pooja along with them and wound a 14 – Knotted thread in her hand and proceeded along with her husband towards his house.
The superior power of the divine thread made Goundiyan a wealthy person and earned lots of respect is midst of the society.
Seela, continuously followed this Viradham with great bhakti and dedication, but the wealthiness made Goundiyan jealous and he started to think all the people as his slave. He didn't give any respect for his wife not for her great Viradham. And, he forcibly removed the divine thread from her hand and threw it in Agni. But, Seela took the thread from Agni and placed it inside a small Vessel containing milk. But, after this incident happened, all their wealth and respect started to loose its brightness.
Their cows were stolen; their house got into fire; misunderstanding and fight between relatives started; Goundiyan realized that all these negative actions are because of the divine thread being taken from his wives hand. He agreed upon his mistake and felt for his action and asked sorry to his wife.
During that time, Seela explained about the great Viradham and about the divine thread. After hearing these, Goundiyan was mentally upset and went towards a forest to perform Tapas. While traveling, he expressed the Thiru Naamam, “Anantha, Anantha” with lots of tears.
He asked for Ananthan towards everything he saw (i.e.) tree, cows etc while he was traveling towards the forest and finally, he decided to kill himself. Sri Ananthan (originated) come in front of Goundiyan and took along with him to his house. And as a bhagyam (luck). Sriman Narayanan gave his complete dharshan along with Sangu and Chakkaram in Garudan and then Vanished from that place.
After giving his blessings, Sri Ananthan said about the Sri Anantha Viradham and by following it for 14 years, he would regain all of his wealth, a very good status in the society etc. And by following the great Viradham for 14 years, Goundiyan and his wife Seela, got all the lost wealth's etc., and finally attained the Thiruvadi of Sri Ananthan.
It is also said that Pandavars also followed Sri Krishnar and the Viradham and would regain their Empires finally. And, Guberan, Bharthan, Deelipan etc have also followed this great Viradham.
So, like Goudiyan, Pandavas etc., we will also perform this great Viradham for 14 years and attain all sorts of wealth, Good – knowledge and to the top of it, we can reach Swargham with the complete blessings of Sri Ananthan.
