Sankashti Chaturthi
Sankashti Chaturthi, also called Sankatahara Chaturthi in the south Indian states, is an auspicious festival for Hindus, celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesha.
The celebrations of Sankashti Chaturthi are prevalent in both northern and southern states of India. In the state of Maharashtra, the festivities are even more elaborate and grandeur. The word ‘sankashti’ has a Sanskrit origin and it implies ‘deliverance during difficult times’ whereas ‘chaturthi’ means ‘fourth day or the day of Lord Ganesha’. Therefore on this propitious day, devotees worship Lord Ganesha to help them overcome all the obstacles in life and come out victorious in every tough situation.
Rituals
On the day of Sankashti Chaturthi, devotees get up early and dedicate the day to worshipping Lord Ganesha. They observe a strict fast in honor of their deity. Some people can also keep a partial fast. The observer of this fast can only devour fruits, vegetables, and roots of plants. The staple Indian diet on this day comprises peanuts, potatoes, and sabudana khichadi.
The Sankashti puja is done in the evening, after seeing the moon. The idol of Lord Ganesha is decorated with Durva grass and fresh flowers. A lamp is also lit during this time. Other usual puja rituals like lighting incense and reciting the Vedic mantras are also performed. After this, the devotees read the ‘vrat katha’ specific to the month. The fast is broken only after worshipping Lord Ganesha in the evening and sighting the moon.
Special ‘naivedya’ comprising of modaks and other favorite eatables of Lord Ganesha is prepared as an offering. This is followed by an ‘aarti’ and later the prasad is distributed among all the devotees.
On the day of Sankashti Chaturthi, special puja rituals are also dedicated to Moon or Chandra God. This involves sprinkling water, chandan (sandalwood) paste, consecrated rice, and flowers in the direction of the moon.
On this day it is auspicious to recite the ‘Ganesha Ashtothra’, ‘Sankashtnashana sthothra’, and ‘Vakrathunda Mahakaya’ to name a few. In fact, any other Vedic mantras dedicated to Lord Ganesha can be chanted.
