A Complete Guide on Sankashtahara Chaturthi : 2024 Dates

Updated: 29-02-2024

Authors: Abhiram Tripathi (NIT-Bhopal) , and E.Pavan Kumar, Founder www.plus100years.com

The Hindu celebration of Sankashti Chaturthi, also called Sankatahara Chaturthi, is an important holiday honoring the god Ganesha.

On the fourth day (Chaturthi) of every lunar month, but especially on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi, which occurs during the waning Moon, people celebrate this joyous occasion.

On Sankashti Chaturthi, followers of Hinduism pray to Lord Ganesha to help them overcome difficulties (Sankat) in their lives.

Understanding the importance of Sankashti Chaturthi, learning about the Sankashti Vrat, and doing the puja for its blessings are all topics we'll cover in this article.

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What is Sankashti Vrat?

• Sankashti Chaturthi puja is described in the Narasimha Purana and Bavishyat Purana. The efficacy of this vrat is narrated by Lord Krishna to Yudishtira.
• The Sankashti Vrat, or Sankashti Chaturthi fast, is an important part of this celebration. Devotees observe this fast to worship Lord Ganesha and seek his heavenly blessings.

On the Chaturthi day, the Sankashti Vrat entails fasting from dawn until moonrise, refraining from grains and beans, and breaking the fast only after seeing the Moon.

• The moonrise on Sankashti Chaturthi day is supposed to be exceptionally auspicious and to have a cleansing impact on devotees.
• There are several stories associated with Sankashti Chaturthi which are read or listened to on this auspicious day.
   
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Importance of Sankashtahara Chaturthi:

• The Sankashti Vrat, or Sankashti Chaturthi fast, is an important part of this celebration. Devotees observe this fast to worship Lord Ganesha and seek his heavenly blessings.
• On the Chaturthi day, the Sankashti Vrat entails fasting from dawn until moonrise, refraining from grains and beans, and breaking the fast only after seeing the Moon.
• The moonrise on Sankashti Chaturthi day is supposed to be exceptionally auspicious and to have a cleansing impact on devotees.
   
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Benefits of Sankashtahara Chaturthi:

• Removal of Obstacles: Devotees believe that observing Sankashti Chaturthi and asking Lord Ganesha's blessings will help eliminate obstacles and challenges in their lives.
• Enriches Wisdom: Lord Ganesha, the giver of knowledge and intelligence, is revered by many. It is thought that by following this fast, one's intelligence and judgment would improve.
• Fulfilling Desires: Those having difficulty in any area of their lives sometimes choose Sankashti Chaturthi in the hopes that their prayers and aspirations will be granted.
• Strengthens Family Bonds: Families typically meet together to observe this fast, which may strengthen bonds between members of the same family.
   
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2024 Sankashtahara Chaturthi Dates and Chandradarshan Time 

Steps to Perform Sankashti Chaturthi Pooja:

Preparation: Prepare the puja space by cleaning it and decorating it with flowers and incense.

Build a place of worship and worship a Ganesha statue or photograph. This pooja Druva grass and fresh flowers play a vital role in Ganesh idol decoration.

Pooja: start the pooja by offering prayers and chanting Ganesha Mantras properly.

Seek blessings from Lord Ganesh with utmost dedication for the lord to bless you with everything you desire.

Sankashti puja is usually performed in the evenings.

Offerings: Offer the naivedhya to the god. Also, Provide offerings to lord Ganesh with prasad's like modhak, laddu, coconut and others, along with fruits, flowers and leaves as per the ritual.

Chanting the Mantra: Recites mantras and stotras and prayers for lord Ganesh representing Sankashtahara Chaturthi to get the blessings.

Read or listen to Shakashtahara Chaturthi Vrat stories or related ones recommended by experts for the divine power to surround you.

Reading the Sankashti Vrat Story: At the end of the pooja, Sankashti Vrat is read, which is specified for each month.

The story is read according to the month. Those who can't read are suggested to listen for the best results.

There are multiple stories based on the sankashti pooja.

Moonrise Observation: Seeing the moon rise is the most important ritual of Sankashti Chaturthi.

In order to properly worship, believers must wait until the Moon is visible. Offerings are made to the Moon with a plate filled with rice, sandal paste, flowers, and water.

Breaking the Fast: After moon sight, prayers are offered to the Moon and then break the fast. A simple meal is consumed while breaking the fast.

Sabudana Khichdi is filled with a variety of nutrients such as Vitamins, Proteins,and Minerals. You can make this tasty and healthy Sabudana Khichdi easily with minimal ingredients.

Sabudhana khichdi, potato khichdi, Upvassthalipeeth, modak, Shakarkand ka halwa, rice kheer, etc., are the most common and famous fasting foods.
 

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Common Mantra to Chant on Sankashtahara Chaturthi:

According to our Hindu history, chanting this mantra at the beginning of the pooja will help us seek Lord Ganesha's blessings.

Mantra:

" VakraTunnda Maha Kaaya, Surya Koti Samaprabha

Nirvighnam Kuru me Deva, Sarva KaaryessuSarvadaa "

Meaning:

1. Prayers to the divine Lord Sri Ganesha, adorned with a gracefully curved trunk, possessing a majestic and expansive form, and radiating a brilliance that rivals the light of a million suns.
2. Deva, Please remove all obstacles from my endeavors by extending Your Blessings in all my works at all times.

Rules to Follow on Sankashti Chaturthi Day:

• Wake up early in the morning is preferred during Brahma Muhurth. Take a bath, preferably a head bath, and wear neat and clean clothes.
• Consuming rice, lentils, and wheat in any form is like breaking the fast, so they consume them on Chaturthi day. You must Know the benefits of eating Fruits, milk, or vrat recipes can be consumed during the day.
• It is best to perform naam jap in the name of Lord Ganesh as such, “Om Ganeshaya Namaha.”
• Consumption of alcohol and smoking tobacco increases your risk of sinus disease, chronic obstructive lung disease and others is prohibited on this day.

Conclusion:

On Sankashti Chaturthi, devotees celebrate the Sankashti Vrat and do puja to seek Lord Ganesha's blessings and triumph over life's challenges.

By fasting and doing other rituals honoring the elephant-headed god, devotees might get spiritual and personal advantages.
 

"On Sankashti Chaturthi, we celebrate the blessings of Lord Ganesha."
 

We are reminded that with perseverance and belief, we may achieve our goals and live a life full of knowledge and prosperity.

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