Sankashti Chaturthi 2022
Sankashti Chaturthi, also called Sankatahara Chaturthi in south Indian states, is an auspicious festival for Hindus, celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesha.
Sankashti Chaturthi is on Friday, January 21, 2022
It is observed during every Hindu Calendar month on the ‘chaturthi’ (fourth day) of the Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of the 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 the 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 to worshipping Lord Ganesha. They observe a strict fast in the 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.
Significance of Sankashti Chaturthi
On the sacred day of Sankashti Chaturthi there is a special significance in sighting the moon. The ardent devotees of Lord Ganesha believe that by praying to their deity with dedication, especially on the Angarki Chaturthi day, all their desires will be fulfilled and they will lead a prosperous life. Childless couples also observe the Sankashti Chaturthi vrat to be blessed with a progeny.
As Sankashti Chaturthi is observed every Lunar month, in each month God Ganesha is worshipped with different Peeta (Lotus petals) and names. There is a total of 13 vrats, with each vrat having a specific purpose and story, known as ‘vrat katha’. Therefore there are 13 ‘vrat katha’ in total, one for every month and the last katha is for ‘adika’ which is the one extra month that comes every four years in the Hindu calendar.
