Sankashti Chaturthi
Sankatahara Chaturthi is observed on the 4th day of the Krishna paksha- lunar waning phase. This day is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Ganesh worship and observing fast on this special day smashes all the troubles; bring prosperity and success to children. Sankatahara Chaturthi is translated to Sankat - troubles, Hara-smash/destroy, Chaturthi- 4 tithi. It is also referred as Sankashti Chaturthi, Sankasthahara Chaturthi, Sankat Chauth.
Sankashti Chaturthi Date 2023
Tue , 10th Jan 2023
Legend of Sankatahara Chaturthi
Lord Ganapathi is ‘Vighnaharata’ because he can smash all the Vighna or obstacles that one can face in life. Lord Ganapathi is a great powerhouse of wisdom and intellect. He is a Lord of Lords, Lord of knowledge and intelligence, Lord of all wealth, Lord of peace. He is considered highly spiritual celestial being who can power through most difficult phases of life with ease and displays universal traits of Supremacy and absolute stillness. Vedic sciences call Him, a Parabrahman – a highest self with utmost inclusiveness with the cosmos. When the Sankatahara Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday it is called Angaraki Chaturthi- angarak in Sanskrit refers to Planet Mars who is red in colour like a burning coal ember. Devotees with poor placement of Mars and doshas from inauspicious placements can perform remedies on this day for an instant success.
Vedic Month | Auspicious Ganesha Avatar |
---|---|
Chaitra Masa | Vikata Maha Ganapati |
Vaishakha Masa | Chanakra Raja Ekadanta Ganapathi |
Jeshtha Masa | Krishna Pingala Maha Ganapati |
Ashadha Masa | Gajaanana Ganapati |
Shravana Masa | Heramba Maha Ganapati |
Bhadrapada Masa | Vignaraja Maha Ganapati |
Ashweeja Masa | Vakrathunda Maha Ganapati |
Karthika Masa | Ganadipa Maha Ganapati |
Margashira Masa | Akuratha Maha Ganapati |
Pushya Masa | Lambodara Maha Ganapati |
Magha Masa | Dwijapriya Maha Ganapati |
Phalguna Masa | Balachandra Maha Ganapati |
Adhika Masa | Vibhuvana Palaka Maha Ganapati |
Sankatahara Chaturthi Vrat Rituals
Devotees celebrate this Chaturthi by observing fast and performing special pooja to Lord Ganesha. Each Sankathara Chaturthi holds a specific purpose, a specific avatar of Lord Ganesha and an associated Vrat katha. Devotees wake up before sunrise and take a holy bath. Clean the worship altar for pooja rituals. Full day fast is observed on this day. Pooja is performed in the evening after the moonrise. Ganesha mantras, Ganesha Ashtotra are recited on this day. Lord Ganesha idol is decorated with druva grass, sandalwood paste, flowers and new vastram. Special offerings like modhaks, sweets made from rice flakes/ puffed rice is prepared for the pooja. Vrat katha for the specific Vedic month’s Chaturthi is read after the pooja. Pooja Offerings are also made to Lord Chandra/ moon, the fast concludes after sighting the Moon- Dharshan of Chandra bhagavan. Smashing coconuts is a significant ritual of this pooja, it denotes smashing of our troubles and distress.
Greatness of Sankatahara Chaturthi
The celebration of Sankatahara Chaturthi is said to be followed since 700 BC as one of the best remedies for removing hurdles and obstacle in life. Lord Ganesha is a primordial lord worshipped in various forms as the god of wisdom, prosperity , and good luck. He is traditionally worshipped before commencing every important activity like travel, new business venture, education and auspicious rituals.
Several stories from puranas elucidate the power of this vrat. One story revolves around how Lord Indra’s vahana was grounded because of a sinner’ sight while he was flying across King Shurasena's kingdom. He observed Sankatahara Chathurthi Vrat so His vahana could start flying again. In another fable, Moon Lord who was so full of his good looks and passes egoistic remarks at Ganesha’s trunk and big belly, loses his lustre and illumination. He performs this vrat pleading the mercy of Lord Ganesha and regains his shiny lustre. The last famous one is about a sinner who had hurt many people with words and curses went to heaven because she followed fast on Chaturthi unknowingly. She could not eat because of sickness on Sankatahara Chathurthi day and consumed a morsel of food only after moonrise. Regardless of her knowledge about this vrat, she still gained the merits of the vrat and was allowed to heaven upon her death. Such is the power of this vrat.
Benefits
All Sankashti Chaturthi dates in 2023 and Chaturthi Tithi Timing
DATE | Tithi Timing |
---|---|
January 10th | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Jan 10, 12:09 PM - Jan 11, 2:31 PM |
February 9th | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Feb 09, 6:23 AM - Feb 10, 7:58 AM |
March 11th | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Mar 10, 9:42 PM - Mar 11, 10:06 PM |
April 9th | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Apr 09, 9:35 AM - Apr 10, 8:37 AM |
May 8th | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : May 08, 6:19 PM - May 09, 4:08 PM |
June 7th | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Jun 07, 12:50 AM - Jun 07, 9:51 PM |
July 6th | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Jul 06, 6:30 AM - Jul 07, 3:13 AM |
August 4th | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Aug 04, 12:45 PM - Aug 05, 9:40 AM |
September 2nd | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Sep 02, 8:49 PM - Sep 03, 6:24 PM |
October 2nd | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Oct 02, 7:36 AM - Oct 03, 6:12 AM |
November 1st | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Oct 31, 9:30 PM - Nov 01, 9:19 PM |
November 30th | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Nov 30, 2:25 PM - Dec 01, 3:31 PM |
December 30th | Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Dec 30, 9:44 AM - Dec 31, 11:56 AM |