As per Hindu calendar, Sankashti Chaturthi is celebrated on the 4th day of the waning moon half (Krishna Paksha) of the month. It is a favorable festival dedicated to the highest Lord, Ganesha. ‘Sankashti’ is a Sanskrit word which means liberty or freedom from difficulties and bad times and ‘Chaturthi’ means the fourth state. So, worshiping and keeping fast on this day helps you attain peace, wealth, knowledge, and the fourth state.

Sankashti Chaturthi Means ‘Streamlined Success’

As per Hindu Panchang, the 4th day after full moon and the 4th day after new moon are observed as Chaturthi. So, there are two Chaturthi namely, Vinayaka Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturthi. When this festival falls on Tuesday, then it is known as Angaraki Chaturthi. People in India commemorate this festival with great pomp and display. In Tamil Nadu, the festival is famed as Sankatahara Chaturthi.

Vinayaka Chaturthi, widely well-liked as Ganesh Chaturthi starts on the fourth day of Hindu lunisolar calendar month Bhadrapada. The festival is celebrated with the establishment of Ganesha clay idols, especially in homes and place of work. Vedic hymns, offerings, prayers, sweets, and fast observes for 10 days.

The Significance of Sankashti Chaturthi

From removing all your obstacles to finally blessed you with intelligence and bliss, the deity is responsible for participation all your problems. Lord Ganesha is an incarnation of wisdom, virtue, and knowledge. Hence, the highest deity is known to provide you with health, wealth and happiness.

It is believed that all the wishes and ideas come true if one pray on this lucky day with pure heart and soul. Hence, observing fast and performing rituals on Sankashti Chaturthi proves to be supreme profitable.

The day is theorist to be lucky because, on this day, Lord Shiva declared his son Ganesha the most superior among all gods. Hence, this is the reason; Sankashti Chaturthi is think as one of the favorable fast observed by women for the improvement of the family.

Rituals on Sankashti Chaturthi

• The ritual function  is perform by the couples who observe the fast to get the blessings of the Lord
• Devotees need to arouse early in the morning and put on clean clothes.
• The idol of Lord Ganesh ji is placed on a clean platform
• Fresh flowers and Durva grass are offered to invoke the Supreme god
• Delicacies like modaks and laddus are placing before the Lord Ganesh ji
• The pooja is observed in the evening after the sight of the moon
• The ritual begins with chanting the Ganesh mantra and reciting the stories or the Vrat Katha

Vakra-Tunndda Maha-Kaaya Suurya-Kotti Samaprabha I
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa II

Fasting on Sankashti Chaturthi

The fast is performed for the well-being and children’s of the family. The devotees must examine the fast from morning until evening. After the Ganesh pooja, moon god is sighted and offerings are made to the moon god. People need to evade from daily food items but here are few of the items that you can eat during the fast.

• Sabudana ki khichdi
• Fresh fruits
• Unsalted chips
• Peanuts
• Potato

Difference between Sankashti Chaturthi and Vinayaka Chaturthi

• A lunar month comprises of two fortnights. The fortnights can be divided into the dark half of the lunar month (Krishna Paksha) and the bright half of the lunar month (Shukla Paksha). The Chaturthi that arrives in the dark part is termed as Sankashti Chaturthi. While the Chaturthi that falls in the bright half is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi.
• Sankashti Chaturthi fasting is observed for the deliverance from difficult times. While Vinayaka Chaturthi fasting is done for the salutations of Supreme Lord, Ganesha.
• Sankashti Chaturthi is popular as Sankatahara Chaturthi, whereas Vinayaka Chaturthi is famous as Varada Vinayaka Chaturthi