Sankashti Chaturthi
Sankashti Chaturthi is a sacred festival dedicated to Lord Ganesh, also known as Vighnaharta, meaning the remover of obstacles. It is celebrated fervently by many Hindu devotees, occurring every lunar month on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha, which is the waning phase of the moon.
What is Sankashti Chaturthi
As per the Panchang (Hindu calendar), each month consists of two Chaturthi days.
- Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon)
- Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon)
The Chaturthi that occurs in the Krishna Paksha every month is referred to as Sankashti Chaturthi, while the one in the Shukla Paksha is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi.
In short - Krishna Paksha Chaturthi is Sankashti Chaturthi & Shukla Paksha Chaturthi is Vinayaka Chaturthi. When this auspicious day coincides with a Tuesday, it is known as Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi and holds exceptional significance among all Sankashti Chaturthi occurrences.
In Hindu mythology, this day is reserved for worshipping Lord Ganesh because Lord Shiva declared His son Ganesh superior to all other gods, except Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva, and Parvati. It is believed that on Sankashti Chaturthi, Lord Ganesh descends to Earth to fulfill the wishes of His devotees.
Devotees typically observe a full-day or partial fast from morning until evening and perform the puja (ritual worship) in the evening. They celebrate this sacred occasion with great enthusiasm and devotion, concluding their fast after sighting the Moon God in the evening.
Each Chaturthi, Lord Ganesh is worshipped by a different name according to the lunar month cycle. Vedic scriptures such as the Bavishyat Purana and Narasimha Purana describe the significance and importance of all 13 Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat (including Adhika Masa) that occur in a year.
13 Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Names
Below are 13 Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Names with months.
| S.No. | Month | Sankashti Chaturthi |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chaitra Masa | Vikata Maha Ganapati |
| 2 | Vaishakha Masa | Chanakra Raja Ekadanta Ganapathi |
| 3 | Jeshtha Masa | Krishna Pingala Maha Ganapati |
| 4 | Ashadha Masa | Gajaanana Ganapati |
| 5 | Shravana Masa | Heramba Maha Ganapati |
| 6 | Bhadrapada Masa | Vignaraja Maha Ganapati |
| 7 | Ashweeja Masa | Vakrathunda Maha Ganapati |
| 8 | Karthika Masa | Ganadipa Maha Ganapati |
| 9 | Margashira Masa | Akuratha Maha Ganapati |
| 10 | Pushya Masa | Lambodara Maha Ganapati |
| 11 | Magha Masa | Dwijapriya Maha Ganapati |
| 12 | Phalguna Masa | Balachandra Maha Ganapati |
| 13 | Adhika Masa | Vibhuvana Palaka Maha Ganapati |
Sankashti Chaturthi Significance
According to the Narada Purana, Sankashti Chaturthi is a day when fasting for the entire day is recommended. It is believed that performing home worship on Sankashti Chaturthi can dispel negative influences and bring about peace in the household.
Additionally, it is thought to resolve household issues and fulfill the desires of devotees. Observing the moon on this day is also considered an auspicious practice.
- Vighnaharta Shri Ganesh, revered as Agra Pujya, represents wisdom and virtue. Observing a fast and offering praises to this divine deity on this day is believed to bestow knowledge, health, wealth, and happiness upon devotees.
- According to the Shiva Purana, dedicating oneself to fasting on this auspicious day with unwavering devotion and faith is said to remove all obstacles from one's path.
- Legend suggest that devotees began celebrating this significant day with the firm belief that Lord Ganesh would protect them from adversity, impart knowledge, and grant prosperity.
- The Brahmavaivarat Purana affirms that Lord Ganesha is not only the son of the supreme Lord Shiva and Parvati but also a manifestation of the supreme consciousness. Worshipping Him is believed to grant blessings in the form of intellect, wisdom, and liberation from all hindrances.
Sankashti Chaturthi Mantras
The following well-known mantra invokes the blessings of Lord Ganesh. According to Hindu mythology, anyone can recite this mantra at the outset of a ceremony or ritual to seek the favor of Lord Ganesh, who is revered as AgraPujya, signifying the primary deity to be worshipped.
First Mantra
ॐ गं गणपतये नमो नम:॥
Om Gam Ganapatiye Namo Namah॥
Meaning: It signifies paying homage to Lord Ganpati with our entire being and embracing all of His magnificent attributes within ourselves.
Benefits: It wards off all the negativities from one’s life. Chanting of this mantra ensures success in all the new ventures that one wishes for. People must chant this mantra before starting any work.
Second Mantra
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Vakra Tundda Mahaa Kaaya, Surya Koti Samprabha ।
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Dev, Sarva Kaaryessu Sarvada॥
Meaning: I humbly offer my reverence to Lord Ganpati, who possesses a colossal form, a gracefully curved elephant trunk, and radiance akin to a million suns. Worshiping Him is believed to eliminate all hindrances from my pursuits and endeavors.
Benefits: Chanting this mantra calls upon Lord Ganesha to eliminate all hindrances from one's path and aids in attaining wealth, wisdom, good fortune, prosperity, and success in all endeavors.
Sankashti Chaturthi Rituals
Below rituals can be followed for Sankashti Chaturthi
- Begin your day early by waking up in the morning and taking a purifying bath.
- After your bath, put on fresh or clean clothes before sunrise.
- Devotees typically observe a complete or partial fast on this special day.
- Prepare your prayer room by cleaning it and placing an idol of Lord Ganesha. Start by lighting a diya with pure desi ghee.
- Position the idol of Lord Ganesh in a clean space and adorn it with durva grass, fresh flowers, ghee lamps, and incense sticks.
- Offer Lord Ganesh's favorite sweets, such as Laddoo, Modaks, and Kheer, seeking blessings on this auspicious day.
- Decorate Lord Ganesha with yellow flowers and recite the Bindayak Kahani. The ritual begins with chanting mantras and recounting the Vrata Katha (stories).
- Visit the temple on this auspicious day and worship Lord Ganesha by offering kheer and yellow boondi laddoos.
- In the evening, perform the Aarti and offer water to Lord Moon.
- After completing all the rituals, devotees can break their fast and enjoy sattvik (pure) food.
- Some individuals choose to break their fast the next day after sunrise. Therefore you can break fast in evening or next day as per wish.
Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Story
According to a legend from the ancient Indian Puranic literature, there was a devoted saint named Angarak, the son of Mother Earth and Bharadwaj Rishi.
Angarak had a profound devotion to Lord Ganesha. The term "Angarika" refers to the Planet Mars (Mangal - The red planet), and Angarika Chaturthi is associated with Mars.
Angarak, known for his exceptional intellect, learned the worship of Ganesha from his father, Rishi Bharadwaj, who was a staunch follower of Lord Ganesha himself.
Growing up with his father's teachings, Angarak developed deep devotion to Lord Ganesha and began worshiping Him with the sole desire of gaining His divine presence and blessings.
On a Magh Krishna Chaturthi, which happened to fall on a Tuesday, Lord Ganesh appeared before Angarak and granted him a wish.
Angarak's only wish was to be forever merged with Lord Ganesha's name. Pleased with his unwavering devotion, Lord Ganesha fulfilled Angarak's wish and proclaimed that anyone who worships Him on this day will have their prayers answered.
Since that momentous day, people believe that Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi is the most auspicious day for worshiping Lord Ganesh and seeking His blessings.
It is also believed that fasting on Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi brings benefits equivalent to observing all the other 12 Sankashti Chaturthi fasts in a year.
