Sankashti Chaturthi
Sankashti Chaturthi also called Sankatahara Chaturthi in south Indian states, is an auspicious festival for Hindus, celebrated in honour of Lord Ganesha.
Next Sankashti Chaturthi is on Monday, October 05, 2020
It is observed during every Hindu Calendar month on the ‘chaturthi’ (fourth day) of the Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of moon). Furthermore when Sankashti Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, it is popular as Angarki Chaturthi and is considered to be the most auspicious of all the Sankashti Chaturthi days.
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 of Sankashti Chaturthi
On the day of Sankashti Chaturthi, devotees get up early and dedicate the day worshipping Lord Ganesha. They observe a strict fast in the honour 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 of 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 of the moon.
Special ‘naivedya’ comprising of modaks and other favourite eatables of Lord Ganesha is prepared as 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 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.
