Sankashti Chaturthi or also known as Sankatahara Chaturthi is an auspicious Hindu festival. Devotees of Lord Ganesha celebrate this festival by worshiping Lord Ganesha and observe fasting from sunrise till moonrise.
Significance of Sankashti Chaturthi:
Sankashti signifies deliverance or salvation, and Chaturthi denotes the fourth day of Krishna Paksha. On this day, devotees praise ‘Vighnaharta’– obstacles remover and ‘Sukhkarta’– the one who showers happiness to get consolation from their overall obstacles and problems.
Sankashti Chaturthi festival is also popular as Angarki Chaturthi. Hindus consider this day as an auspicious day of all the Sankashti Chaturthi days.
Rituals of Sankashti Chaturthi:
- On Sankashti Chaturthi day, Ganesha adherents wake up early morning to worship him with full devotion.
- To honor the deity, they strictly observe fasting.
- They decorate the Lord Ganesha idol with fresh flowers, garlands, and Durva grass.
- The Sankashti Chaturthi puja (prayer) gets starts in the evening once the moon rises.
- They hymn Vedic mantras and recite the “Vrat Katha” before breaking their Vrat (fasting).
The devotees offer ‘Naivedya‘ to Lord Ganesha, which comprises his favorite Modak, fruits, and other sweets.
Eventually, on that day, adherents also perform special puja rituals dedicated to Moon or Chandra God. The puja involves sprinkling sandalwood paste (Chandan), water, dedicated rice, and flowers in the moon’s direction.
You must recite the ‘Ganesha Ashtothra,’ ‘Vakrathunda Mahakaya’ and ‘Sankashtnashana Sthothra’ on this day as it is considered as favorable.
Feature Image Credit: WeRIndia.