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Sankashti Chaturthi - Lord Ganesha Vrat Festival - LifeGuru

Sankashti Chaturthi, also known as Lord Ganesha Vrat, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated to honor and seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha, the beloved elephant-headed deity. This auspicious occasion falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the Hindu calendar month. Devotees observe this day by fasting from sunrise to moonrise, breaking their fast after sighting the moon. Lord Ganesha is revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of wisdom, and the harbinger of good fortune, making this festival widely celebrated across India with great enthusiasm and devotion. People believe that observing this vrat (fast) and offering prayers to Lord Ganesha on Sankashti Chaturthi brings prosperity, success, and the removal of hurdles from their lives. The festival's significance in Indian culture is deeply rooted in the spiritual beliefs and reverence for Lord Ganesha, making it a widely cherished and celebrated occasion in the country.


The Story of sankashti chaturthi

According to Hindu traditions, this auspicious day was first celebrated in 700 BC by followers who believed that Lord Ganesh would undoubtedly remove bad luck from their lives and bestow prosperity and knowledge onto them.

An occasion dedicated to honoring Lord Ganesha is Sankashti Chaturthi. In Hindu culture, it is extremely important. It is scheduled to be witnessed thirteen times in 2023. On this auspicious day, the devotees pray to Lord Ganesha and observe a fast. On this day, people should preferably observe one of two types of fasts: a full fast or a partial fast. A partial fast permits the consumption of specific foods, such as Fruits and Vegetables, Milk, Curd, Peanuts, Sabudana khichdi Plant roots.


Why is Sankashti Chaturthi celebrated in India?

The meaning of the phrase Sankashti is "deliverance from difficulties," and it is thought that Lord Ganesha is able to remove all barriers and problems. Sankashti Chaturthi, then, refers to the fourth day of the lunar calendar, which helps individuals overcome adversity. Devotees observe the fast from sunrise to moonrise, breaking it with a meal following their prayers to the Lord. On this day, people worship Lord Ganesha as the "Sankashti Vinayak," who is revered as the Lord's incarnation and a helper in overcoming all challenges.

Furthermore, since this day is devoted to Lord Ganesha, also known as Lambodar and Vinayak, Sankashti Chaturthi is also known as Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi. The "Ganapati Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha," a story that narrates the tale of Lord Ganesha and his capacity to remove barriers and bestow benefits, is one of the main rituals of Sankashti Chaturthi. During the evening puja, the story is told, and then Lord Ganesha is offered fruits and sweets.


Significance of Sankashti Chaturthi

Sankashti Chaturthi is a significant Hindu festival observed in honor of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. This auspicious day falls on the fourth day after the full moon each month, specifically dedicated to worshiping Lord Ganesha. However, the Sankashti Chaturthi occurring in the month of Magha (January-February) holds particular significance and is known as "Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat." Devotees believe that observing fasts and performing special prayers on this day can eliminate obstacles, bring prosperity, and fulfill desires. The legend behind this festival narrates the story of King Shiva and how observing Sankashti Chaturthi helped him overcome difficulties, eventually leading to his liberation from troubles. This celebration fosters unity, devotion, and spiritual growth among followers of Lord Ganesha.


Rituals, Pujas and Mantras of Sankashti Chaturthi

Rituals of Sankashti Chaturthi

Sankashti Chaturthi is a special day dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. On this day, devotees observe various rituals to seek the blessings and removal of hurdles from their lives. Early in the morning, people take a holy bath and wear clean clothes as a mark of purity. They prepare a special dish called 'modak,' believed to be Lord Ganesha's favorite, and offer it to the deity. Devotees also perform a puja (ritual) in the evening, lighting lamps, offering flowers, and reciting prayers to honor Lord Ganesha's divine presence. Fasting during the day until moonrise is a common practice, followed by breaking the fast after sighting the moon, symbolizing fulfillment and prosperity.

Pujas of Sankashti Chaturthi

Pujas (religious rituals) during Sankashti Chaturthi are performed with great devotion to seek Lord Ganesha's blessings. The day starts with cleaning the house and preparing for the puja. A sacred space is adorned with colorful rangolis (patterns made from colored powder) and flowers. Devotees then arrange idols or pictures of Lord Ganesha on a platform or altar, offering fruits, sweets, and specially made modaks as naivedya (food offering). The puja involves chanting of sacred hymns, performing aarti (waving of lamps), and offering of durva grass, considered dear to Lord Ganesha. Devotees pray with heartfelt devotion, seeking the deity's grace for the removal of obstacles and fulfillment of desires.

Mantras of Sankashti Chaturthi

Chanting mantras holds significant importance during Sankashti Chaturthi to invoke Lord Ganesha's blessings and grace. Some commonly recited mantras during this auspicious day include the powerful "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah" and the revered "Ganesh Gayatri Mantra." These mantras are believed to bring peace, prosperity, and success while removing hurdles from one's life. Devotees repeat these mantras with sincerity and faith, either silently or aloud, during their prayers and rituals. The vibrations produced by chanting mantras are thought to purify the mind and soul, fostering a deeper connection with the divine presence of Lord Ganesha.


Chat with our expert astrologers at Lifeguru and know more about Sankashti Chaturthi and the rituals of Sankashti Chaturthi

LifeGuru is your go-to platform for everything about the Sankashti Chaturthi festival. Why? Because we pride ourselves on having the best team of astrologers who have deep knowledge and years of experience. When you choose LifeGuru, you're choosing accuracy and authenticity. Our astrologers can provide the exact date for Sankashti Chaturthi based on planetary positions and ancient methods, ensuring you never miss the festival's significance.

Plus, if you have more questions, you can easily Chat with Astrologer on our platform to get all the details and insights you need. Choose LifeGuru and celebrate Sankashti Chaturthi with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is special about Sankashti Chaturthi?

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Sankashti Chaturthi is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, celebrated on the fourth day after the full moon in the Hindu calendar month. It is considered auspicious and significant for seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha for success, wisdom, and the removal of obstacles.

What is the difference between Ganesh Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturthi?

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Ganesh Chaturthi is a grand festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha and is observed on the fourth day of the waxing moon period in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. Sankashti Chaturthi, on the other hand, occurs every month and is dedicated specifically to worshiping Lord Ganesha, falling on the fourth day after the full moon in each month.

Is it good to fast on Sankashti Chaturthi?

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Fasting on Sankashti Chaturthi is considered auspicious and beneficial for devotees seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha. It is believed that observing a fast on this day helps in the fulfillment of desires, gaining prosperity, and removing obstacles.

When should we break the Sankashti Chaturthi fast?

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The Sankashti Chaturthi fast is typically broken in the evening after sighting the moonrise. Devotees observe the fast from sunrise until they have seen the moon. Once the moon is sighted, prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha, followed by consuming food to break the fast.