Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat

Sankashti Chaturthi, also called the Sankata Hara Chathurthi is considered an auspicious day to worship Lord Ganesha. This occasion is celebrated on every fourth day after the full moon day (Krishna Paksha) as per the Hindu calendar (Panchanga). When the Sankata Hara Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, it is called the Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi. The Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi is considered the most revered and special of all the Sankashti Chaturthis.

The Sankashti Chaturthi that falls in the Masi month is considered more auspicious. (14-Feb-2017)

Sankasthi Chaturthi is a renowned fast observed mainly by married Hindu women in India, for the well-being of their families. ‘Sankashti’ means relief from the troubled times. Observing this holy vrat is believed to relieve a person from persistent problems in their life. Lord Ganesha is known to bless his devotees with wisdom, thereby breaking all the obstacles before them. Worshippers of Lord Ganesha observe a strict fast on Sankashti Chaturthi. They break the fast only at night after viewing the moon. People, who aren’t able to observe a strict fast, observe a partial fast on this day.

Procedure for the Sankashti Chaturti Vrat

The Sankata Hara Chaturthi fast begins with a early morning bath after which the routine prayers to Lord Ganesha are offered by lighting the sacred lamp (deepam). The Vrat (fast) commences after offering morning prayers to the deity. The person undertaking the fast is forbidden from eating anything until they perform the evening pooja, on sighting the moon. Pooja is performed on an idol or picture of Lord Ganesha offering items like Coconut, banana, Modak and flowers to the Lord. The sacred aarti ritual is shown to the deity after which holy slokas and mantras on Lord Ganesha is chanted. Special pujas are also offered to Chandra, the moon god, by sprinkling water, sandalwood paste, flowers and consecrated rice in the direction of the moon. Once this ritual is over, the Maha prasad is distributed to everyone around.

Food that can be eaten by those observing Partial Fasting

Few people who are not in a position to undertake complete fast, owing to their age, health condition and various other reasons, can actually observe a partial fast by eating Sabudana Khichadi or fruits or curd rice.

Mantras Chanted During Sankashti Vrat Day

1. Sankashtnashana sthothra
2. Ganesha Ashtothara
3. Vakrathunda mahakaya or any of the popular mantras dedicated to Lord Ganesh is chanted.