Sankashti Chaturthi – History, Vrat, Puja Vidhi & Puja Dates

Sankashti Chaturthi is celebrated in every month. During each month, Lord Ganesha is devoted with a different name in different areas. It is celebrated on every fourth day of the full moon according to the Hindu calendar. If Sankashti falls on Tuesday, then it is called ‘Angaraka Chaturthi’ and is considered highly auspicious for observing fast. On this sacred day, the devotees observes fast from morning to evening, with strict rules and can only break the rules after seeing the moon followed by praying God Ganesha. Praying and observing a fast on this day is believed to fulfill all the requirements and reduce problems in life. This puja is usually performed by a couple who observe fast to get blessed with the children for the welfare of the family.

History

Sankashti Chaturthi is also known as Sankata Hara Chaturthi. These festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. This festival is celebrated in every Hindu calendar month on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha.According to the Hindu scriptures, Angarak the son of mother earth and Bharadwaj rishi who was an accomplished rishi and a great devotee of Lord Ganesha. Angarak devoted Lord Ganesha and got his blessings on Tuesday (Magh Krishna Chaturthi), Lord Ganesha blessed him and asked him for a wish. Angarak conveyed that his only wish was to be related to Lord Ganesha’s name forever. The Lord granted his wish. From that day onward, Magh Krishna Chaturthi came to be known as Angarak Chaturthi.

On the day of Angarak Sankashti Chaturthi, the devotees follow strict fast from morning to evening. After seeing the Moon they break the fast at night by prayers and puja of Lord Ganesha. The Angarak Sankashti Chaturthi devotees believe their wishes would be fulfilled if they pray on this auspicious day. Angarak Sankashti Chaturthi means deliverance during problems as Lord Ganesha symbolizes the remover of all difficulties and supreme lord of intelligence.

Significance

On the blessed day of Sankashti Chaturthi, there is special importance of seeing the moon. The emotional devotees of Lord Ganesha believe that by praying to their god with dedication. Childless couples also who see the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat be blessed with a child. As Sankashti Chaturthi is observed in every lunar month Lord Ganesha has a different name.

There are 13 total Vratas and names along with the lunar month. For every Vratas having a specific purpose and story.

About Sankatahara Ganapati Vrat & Puja Vidhi

In the morning after taking bath, offer prayers to Lord Ganesha. Lighting a lamp and do any prayers or Aarthi of Ganesha. Vratas are meant to purify and refresh our body and mind. Fasting is a basic and important part of the Vrat Kata. They determine to observe the Vrat and fast the whole day. This puja is normally conducted in the evening. The idol or photo frame of Ganapathi is decorated and Durva grass(dharba) and fresh flowers are offered. There is a specific Vrat Katha for a specific month which is read at the end of the puja. People who perform vrat must chant the Stotras and mantras dedicated to Ganeshji. After sighting the moon only break the fast. Who observe it with the right procedure and diligence. It can give more benefits, the giver as well as the removal of obstacles according to the situation.

Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi

Angaraki Chaturthi is an auspicious fasting day for Indian peoples that is observed on Sankatahara Chaturthi that falls on Tuesday. This puja is dedicated to Lord Vinayaka. It is also known as “Angarak Sankashti Chaturthi”. It is considered as a very auspicious among all the Sankashti Chaturthi days. Angarak means “ burned coal in red colour”. Indian people strongly believed that if they observe fast and worshiping Lord Ganesha on this day will help them to fulfill their dreams. If they do fast and worshiping will get blessings from Lord Ganapathi as well as Lord Mars, that persons will never face any problems and can live peaceful life.

Fasting Rules

On the day of Sankashti, devotees wake up early, take bath, and spend the whole day for worshiping Lord Vinayaka. Some people observe a strict fast in the honor of their deity. Some people also keep a partial fast, the observer of this fast can only eat fruits, vegetables, and roots of plants. The Sankashti puja is finished at the end of the day, after detecting the moon and stars in the evening. The idol or photo frames of Ganesha are decorated with Durva grass(dharba) and fresh flowers. A lamp also lighted, after lighting the lamp read the Vrat Katha of specific month. Break the fast after worshiping Lord Ganeshji in the evening and sighting the moon. Offer a special Naivedya to the God Ganesha which is his favorite food like laddu, vegetables, fruits. After finishing puja or Aarthi distribute Prasad to the people. On this special day better to read Ganesha Ashtothra or Vakrathunda Mahakaya it will give special blessings from the Lord.

1.Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha

Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvada

2.Om Shreem Gam Saubhagya Ganapataye

Varvarda Sarvajanma Mein Varshamanya Namah

These are the main slokas of Lord Ganesha.

Vrat Recipes

On Sankashti Chaturthi devotees prepare many Vrat recipes they are,

* Paal Payasam

* Rice Kheer

* Vada stuffed with coconut and groundnut chutney

* Yellow banana wafers

* Laddu

* Sweet potato Halwa

Sankashti Chaturthi 2023 Dates

Sankashti Chaturthi 2022 Dates

Sankashti Chaturthi 2021 Dates

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