Sankashti Chaturthi, also known as Sankatahara Chaturthi in some parts of South India, is a Hindu festival honouring Lord Ganesha. It is honoured every Hindu Calendar month on the 'chaturthi' (fourth day) of the Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of moon). Sankashti Chaturthi on a Tuesday is also known as Angarki Chaturthi, and it is considered the most auspicious of all Sankashti Chaturthi days.
| Chaturthi Tithi Timing | January 21, 08:52 AM - January 22, 09:14 AM |
The Hindu festival of Sankashti Chaturthi is observed in both northern and southern India. Maharashtra's festivities are far more elaborate and magnificent. Sanskrit's'sankashti' means 'deliverance in difficult times,' and 'chaturthi' means 'fourth day or Lord Ganesha's day.' As a consequence, worshippers pray to Lord Ganesha on this auspicious day for help in conquering all obstacles in life and emerge victorious in every challenging situation.
Devotees wake up early on Sankashti Chaturthi to spend the day worshipping Lord Ganesha. In honour of their divinity, they keep a rigid fast. A partial fast is also possible for certain persons. The only foods allowed to be consumed during this fast are fruits, vegetables, and plant roots. Peanuts, potatoes, and sabudana khichadi are staples of Indian cuisine on this day.
The Sankashti puja is conducted after seeing the moon in the evening. Durva grass and fresh flowers decorate Lord Ganesha's statue. A lamp is also lit during this time. Burning incense and singing Vedic mantras are two other classic puja rituals. Following that, the devotees read the month's 'vrat katha.' The fast is only broken after Lord Ganesha's nocturnal devotion and the appearance of the moon.
As an offering, a special 'naivedya' made up of modaks and other Lord Ganesha's favourite foods is prepared. After that, there is a 'aarti,' and then the prasad is delivered to all of the worshippers. Specific puja rites are also devoted to the Moon or Chandra God on the day of Sankashti Chaturthi. Water, chandan (sandalwood) paste, consecrated rice, and flowers are sprinkled in the path of the moon. Reciting the 'Ganesha Ashtothra,' 'Sankashtnashana sthothra,' and 'Vakrathunda Mahakaya,' to mention a few, is auspicious on this day. In fact, any other Ganesha-related Vedic mantras can be sung.
The appearance of the moon has special importance on the auspicious day of Sankashti Chaturthi. Lord Ganesha's passionate adherents believes that by worshipping to their god with devotion, particularly on Angarki Chaturthi day, all of their wishes would be granted and they will have a wealthy life. Sankashti Chaturthi vrat is also observed by childless couples in order to be blessed with a child.
Because Sankashti Chaturthi is celebrated every Lunar month, God Ganesha is worshipped with a different peeta (Lotus petal) and name each month. There are a total of 13 vrats, each with its own function and tale, known as the 'vrat katha.' As a result, there are 13 'vrat kathas' in total, one for each month, and the penultimate katha is for 'adika,' the four-year extra month in the Hindu calendar.
| Hindu Lunar Month | Name of Lord Ganesha | Name of peeta |
|---|---|---|
| Chaitra Masa | Vikata Maha Ganapati | Vinayaka Peeta |
| Vaishaka Masa | Chanakra Raja Ekadanta Ganapati | Srichakra Peeta |
| Jeshta Masa | Krishna Pingala Maha Ganapati | Sri Shakti Ganapati Peeta |
| Ashada Masa | Gajaanana Ganapati | Vishnu Peeta |
| Shravana Masa | Heramba Maha Ganapati | Ganapati Peeta |
| Bhadrapada Masa | Vignaraja Maha Ganapati | Vigneshwara Peeta |
| Ashweeja Masa | Vakrathunda Maha Ganapati | Bhuvaneshwari Peeta |
| Karthika Masa | Ganadipa Maha Ganapati | Shiva Peeta |
| Margashira Masa | Akuratha Maha Ganapati | Durga Peeta |
| Pushya Masa | Lambodara Maha Ganapati | Soura Peeta |
| Maga Masa | Dwijapriya Maha Ganapati | Samanya deva Peeta |
| Palguna Masa | Balachandra Maha Ganapati | Agama Peeta |
| Adika Masa | Vibhuvana Palaka Maha Ganapati | Doorva Bilva Patra Peeta |
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