Sankashti Chaturthi: Complete Guide
Sankashti Chaturthi: Complete Guide
Ganesh Puja · Fasting Rules · Moon Darshan · 2026 Dates
Starting something new. Getting through a difficult time. Or simply asking for clarity, peace, and direction. In Hindu homes, there is one deity whose name comes first — always. Lord Ganesha. And every month, Sankashti Chaturthi is the day He listens most closely.
Sankashti means "that which delivers from great difficulty." It falls on the Chaturthi tithi (4th day) of Krishna Paksha every month — fully dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and bestower of wisdom.
Sankashti Chaturthi 2026 — All Dates
| Month | Sankashti Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| January | Sakat Chauth / Tilkuta Chaturthi | 17 Jan |
| February | Dwijetspati Sankashti | 16 Feb |
| March | Bhalchandra Sankashti | 15 Mar |
| April | Vikata Sankashti | 14 Apr |
| May | Ekdanta Sankashti | 13 May |
| June | Vibhuvana Sankashti (Adhika Maas) | 12 Jun |
| July | Krishna Pingala Sankashti | 11 Jul |
| August | Gajaanana Sankashti | 9 Aug |
| September | Heramba Sankashti | 8 Sep |
| October | Vignaraja Sankashti | 7 Oct |
| November | Vakratunda Sankashti | 6 Nov |
| December | Lambodara Sankashti | 5 Dec |
Each Month, a Different Form of Ganesha
Removes worldly troubles
Intelligence and knowledge
Wealth and prosperity
Strength and courage
Blessings of parents
Complete removal of obstacles
Justice and dharma
Debt relief and peace
Fasting Rules
Fast begins: From the evening of Trayodashi (the night before) after a light sattvic meal.
Through the day: Nirjala or phalahar only — no grains. Fruits, milk, sabudana, dry fruits are permitted.
Puja Vidhi — Step by Step
- Bathe and wear fresh clothing. Purify the mandir with Ganga jal.
- Light a ghee or oil diya and agarbatti
- Offer Durva grass (dub) — Ganesha's most beloved offering. Minimum 5 or 21 blades
- Offer Modak or Motichoor Ladoo as prasad
- Apply Sindoor; offer Akshat and fresh flowers
- Chant "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah" — 108 times
- Chant: "Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada"
- Read or listen to the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha (specific to that month)
- Perform Ganesha Aarti
- After moonrise: offer Arghya, chant Chandra mantra, then break the fast
🔴 Angarak Sankashti — What Makes It Special?
When Sankashti falls on Tuesday (Mangalwar), it becomes Angarak Sankashti — amplified by Mangal's energy. Only 2–4 times a year.
On this day: offer red flowers, use a red asan cloth, apply red tilak. Results come faster — especially for career, health, and overcoming serious obstacles.
Benefits of Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat
- Removal of obstacles — Ganesha is Vighnaharta, the supreme remover of all blockages
- Fulfilment of wishes — sincere desire expressed with a pure heart reaches Ganesha
- Blessings of children — couples seeking Santaan frequently observe this vrat
- Career and work breakthroughs — tasks that were stuck begin to move
- Family peace and harmony — conflict eases when the family prays together
- Mental clarity — Ganesha is the deity of buddhi — students and professionals alike benefit
What to Keep in Your Home Mandir
- Brass Ganesh murti — placed at the entrance or mandir in the correct Vastu direction
- Durva grass (dub) — fresh or dried — the single most important Ganesh offering
- Puja ghanti (bell) — sound during aarti awakens Ganesha's divine presence
- Sindoor and akshat
- Modak — Ganesha's most beloved prasad
The Story Behind This Vrat: A poor boy came to the court of King Chandrasena. He saw the king worshipping Shiva and sat down to do his own Ganesh puja. The king had him removed. The boy continued with complete, undivided devotion.
Ganesha was moved. By His grace, that poor boy was elevated to the kingdom's highest position.
Ganesha sees the feeling behind the prayer — not the circumstances of the worshipper.
"Remember Ganesha first — Prathamam Gannapatim Smaraamet."
Sankashti Chaturthi is a monthly act of trust — that whatever is blocking your path can be moved by His grace.
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