Krishna Sankashti Chaturthi
Krishna Sankashti Chaturthi
Krishna Sankashti Chaturthi
Krishna Sankashti Chaturthi
Krishna Sankashti Chaturthi
Krishna Sankashti Chaturthi
Krishna Sankashti Chaturthi
Krishna Sankashti Chaturthi
Krishna Sankashti Chaturthi
Krishna Sankashti Chaturthi
Krishna Sankashti Chaturthi
Krishna Sankashti Chaturthi
Sankashti Chaturthi Can Bring Happiness In Your Life
“Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya koti Samaprabha Avighnam Kurume Deva Sarva Karyeshu Saravada”
OM Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakkratundaya Dheemahi, Tanno Danti Prachodayat
Gajananam Bhoota Ganadi Sevitam,
Kapittha Jammbu Phala Charu Bhakshanam
Umasutam Shoka Vinasha karakam
If there's a god in the Hindu pantheon that symbolises auspicious beginnings, the God can be Lord Ganesha. The God of elephants is revered at the start of the seasons and also for rituals to mark this time. It is also the day each month that the worship is believed to be at its highest. Also known by the name of Sankashti Chaturthi, also known as Sakat Chauth, the day is also considered to be more blessed.
Sankashti Chathurthi also known as the Sakat Chauth, is observed on the 4th day of Krishna Paksha of every lunar month. It is one of the most powerful fasts in the Hindu religion. This auspicious day is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Sankashti is a Sanskrit word that means freedom from obstacles; And Chathurthi is the fourth day.
Its importance is narrated in the Bhavishyat Purana, Narasimha Purana, and Lord Krishna narrated this to Yudhisthara as well. On this day, Lord Shiva has announced Lord Ganesha was one of the most superior Lords, hence considered auspicious. The Sankashti Chathurthi has profound importance in the Shravan month where it is said that fruits of Akshay will be received if one follows and observes fast on this day.
According to the Bhavishya purana when one feels that they are surrounded with problems, once can perform this vrat/ fast. The Ganesha Ek dant avatar with a big stomach is known as the key characteristics of this special avatar. This shows that He keeps the whole world safe inside his stomach. The Ek-Dant Lord Ganesha is blue in color. He has 4 hands. The front hand has the other half of the broken tooth; the other 3 hands have an axe, Rudraksh japa string, and a ladoo.
What is Sankashti Chaturthi?
Every lunar month in the Hindu panchang (Calendar) includes two Chaturthi (4) dates, also known as tithis. The one that occurs after the full Moon Moon (Purnima) in Krishna Paksha is Sankashti Chaturthi. The one followed by Amavasya or the new Moon occurs during this Paksha (Shukla).
The festival is celebrated all over India; Sankashti Chaturthi is celebrated every fourth day or Chaturthi of each month on the Hindu calendar. The day is also connected to the Krishna Paksha or the sunset phase of the Moon.
Although several states in India celebrate the day, with a particular emphasis in Maharashtra, the day is recognized by many various names. Also known by the name Sankatahara Chaturthi in Tamil Nadu, the day is also known as Angaraki Chaturthi because it occurs on the second Tuesday of every month.
Lord Ganesha's devotees observe a fast from early morning before Sunrise until the sunset to celebrate Sankashti Chaturthi. The Word Sankashti is a symbol of deliverance in difficult times.
The fast is meant to be restricted, and only fruits are allowed to eat along with roots of the plant that is located beneath the soil and vegetables are allowed to be eaten. The most typical Indian diet for Sankashti Chaturthi comprises Sabudana Khichadi and potato, as well as peanuts.
Fasting is broken at night after they have seen the Moon.Tamil Hindus worship Lord Ganesha, and in South India, people celebrate it as a Sankatahara Chaturthi, also known as Sankashti Chaturthi in North India. Sankashti Chaturthi is an auspicious festival dedicated to Lord Ganesh and is called Vighnaharta (the conqueror of all issues). A majority of Hindu devotees mark the day with enthusiasm. In each lunar month on the Hindu calendar on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha, it is believed that in each lunar month.
It is an important day of worship for Ganesh, the God of heaven, based on Hindu mythology. Ganesh because the Supreme Lord Shiva declared Ganesh to be his son. Ganesh is supreme among the Gods apart from Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva, and Parvati.
Importance of Sankashti Chaturthi
Sankashti Chaturthi, also known as Sakat Chauth, is called Sankatahara Chaturthi in the south Indian states. The Sankashti Chaturthi has immense significance.The puja is celebrated to ensure the prosperity and well-being of the entire family. This Sankashti Chaturthi pooja is performed in the evening, following the sighting of the Moon. An idol representing Ganesha is placed on a clean and tidy platform. The Durva grass and flowers are given to Ganesha, the Lord. Delicacies such as modaks and laddoos are placed in front of Lord Ganesha.
Ganesha will be the first God to be worshipped at any event, and he will be the one to get rid of any obstructions. There is a belief that Lord Shiva granted this blessing to Lord Ganesha on the Sankashti Chaturthi holiday. This is why devotees revere Sankathara and Vighnaharta to celebrate Sankashti Chaturthi to remove any obstacles that hinder their lives.
● Devotees believe that aside from protecting devotees against all hazards, Lord Ganesha's blessings are available to couples ready to bear children.
● Following the Moon'sMoon's sighting, the pooja is initiated by reading the Vrata Katha or the month's stories in question. After that, the pooja is typically done by two people that observe closely to bless the potential for the family to expand.
● And praising the God of heaven on this day will bring health, knowledge, wealth, and happiness to those who are devoted. Shiva Purana explains that following a fast or vrat (fast) during this day of auspiciousness with total commitment and faith will eliminate any obstacles.
● The Brahma Vaivarta Purana says that Lord Ganesha is the Supreme Lord's son Shiva and Parvati and is an expression of the supreme consciousness. Therefore, in worshipping Ganesha, one receives blessings that include mind, wisdom, and liberation from all difficulties.
Rituals of Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat
In the early mornings of Sankashti Chaturthi, people get up early and take an early bath. Bath is best taken before Sunrise. Some are on a full-day fast, during which they consume any salt-laden food the next day after Sankashti Chaturthi Others, who are in partial fasting, take a snack of fruits and kheer after performing Puja.
A few people visit the temple, give Aarti to worship Lord Ganesha,and perform a mantra. A few people practise the Puja in their homes only, and thus they put Idol of Ganesha in a clean place and offer Dhruv Grass to the gods, Ghee Aarti, and an incense stick. Prasad Ladaoo, along with Modak, is made available.
Rituals start in Mantras, then Vrata Katha. In the end, Aarti takes place. The data story is generally read by the priest or other elderly household members. Then, puja prasad is offered to each member. In addition, the praying of Lord Ganesha and the moon is celebrated in the month of Sankashti Chaturthi. Sandalwood, water, Chandan paste, rice, and flowers are presented to moonlight.
Reciting the Vedic songs or mantras dedicated to Lord Ganesha is a blessing during this time. The devotees chant the Ganesha Ashtothra, Sankashtnashana sthothra, and Vakratunda Mahakaya in particular in the month of Sankashti Chaturthi.
Story related to Lord Ganesha
Lord Ganesha was manifested and created by Goddess Parvathi out of sandal paste and given life. She then asked him to stand guard while she bathed. Lord Shiva returned and saw him. Lord Shiva tried to enter the area, but Lord Ganesha did not allow him to enter. Lord Shiva became angry and questioned him about his manners. Lord Shiva’s followers fought with Lord Ganesha. Even Narada, the Trinity Gods, and Indra tried to defeat him but Lord Ganesha being the embodiment created by Ma Shakti defeated everyone in his way. Enraged, Lord Shiva severed Lord Ganesha’s head. Seeing her son dead, Goddess Parvathi revealed her fierce form of Adi Shakti. She vowed to destroy the universe if her son was not brought back to life. The Gods hunted for ahead, they found a baby elephant dead with his mother crying. The elephant was pacified and fixed this head-on Lord Ganesha. His name was declared by Lord Shiva to be the most supreme of the Lords. From this day his name was Lord “Ganesha.”
Sankashti Chathurthi Vrat Story
In the Sanathan Dharma, any auspicious activity is done by invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Around 12 to 13 days in a year fall as Sankashti. There are many stories about the day being celebrated. One of the important stories is:
Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakhmi were to be wed. All the Gods except Lord Ganesha were called for the wedding. The day of the wedding arrived. All the demi-Gods were present except for Lord Ganesha. They were all searching for Lord Ganesha. All were astonished why Lord Ganesha was not called. Lord Vishnu justified saying Lord Shiva was called and Lord Ganesha belonging to the same family was not invited separately. He said that Lord Ganesha eats a portion fully and walks slowly on the rat.
Lord Ganesha was then called and made to sit at the door. Lord Narada has arrived at the scene. Seeing Lord Ganesha there he asked why he was sitting there. Lord Ganesha said that he was insulted by making him sit like a watchman outside. Lord Narada said to send the rat’s army in front of the wedding party so that they can dig a huge pit for the wedding party and vehicles to fall in there. The wedding party would not be able to move forward. Lord Ganesha did exactly that. The wheels of the chariots got stuck in the pit and broke. No one could understand why this was happening.
Lord Narada told everyone that Lord Ganesha was insulted, and he needs to be pacified and asked apology. Nandi brought Lord Ganesha and all asked forgiveness from Lord Ganesha. He forgave all of them and the chariots now came out of the pits. But the chariots were now broken, a mason was passing by who said that he can fix the chariot. He invoked the blessings of Lord Ganesha and fixed the broken chariots. Now he told the wedding party that all these problems had come because before starting an auspicious work, they might have not remembered Lord Ganesha.
The demi-Gods realized their mistake and prayed to Lord Ganesha offered him their obeisance and asked for an obstacle-free wedding. From this day on Sankashti Chathurthi has been celebrated.
Procedure to Perform the Sankashti Chathurthi Fast
Devotees keeping this fast wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath and wear red and white clothes, they make the determination or vow to do the fast also known as Sankalp. The idol of Lord Ganesha is very important for this fast. Lord Ganesha is the remover of all obstacles and the giver of a problem-free life. So the idol of Lord Ganesha is made to wear a janau (Sacred thread), decorated with durva grass, and flowers, offered abir, Chandan (sandal), Gulal (color), and perfume. Prasad such as modak, ladoo, or items liked by Lord Ganesha is prepared on this day. Jaggery, coconut, fruits on a pan leaf, Nagarvel plant, and betel nut is offered. Mantras and stotras to please Lord Ganesha are chanted to please the Lord. The pooja begins by offering prayers to the Lord and reciting stories and the Vrat Katha.
Offering camphor in aarti is considered auspicious. Distribute the Prasad by offering it to all family members. Before and after the pooja do not see the back of Lord Ganesha. Seeing the back indicates loss of wealth.
The fast is broken after offering prayers and seeing the moon. Rice, flowers, sandal paste, and water are offered to the moon.
The devotees are required to fast the whole day and offer prayers and aarti to Lord Ganesha in the evening. If you cannot fast completely fruits and milk can be taken. The fast is done for the well-being, prosperity, and progeny of the family. If you cannot do a full fast, you may abstain from normal food and consume only fast-specific foods. You should do the vow/sankalp according to what you are going to follow. These are
● Sabudana Khichdi
● Fresh fruits
● Unsalted Chips
● Peanuts
● Potato
● Milk
Benefits of Sankashti Chathurthi
● Removing all obstacles in life
● Dispelling all difficulties, evils, and hurdles
● Blesses the person with happiness, prosperity
● Blesses the person with wisdom
● Bestows the person with good health and wealth
● End of all enmity, and destruction of disease
● Fulfillment of all wishes
● Financial growth and stability
Frequently Asked Questions
Devotees observe a part or all-day fast on the day. They consume only fruits, vegetables, and plant matter throughout the day. Potatoes, peanuts, and sabudana Khichdi are specially prepared to celebrate the fasting day. When it is time to end the Puja, you can eat modak and ladoo, made available as Prasad. Many people doing an all-day fast can consume fruit and meetha items throughout the day.
The devotees believe that their desires are fulfilled by praying during this time. Keeping this fast is believed to alleviate problems since Ganesha is the one who removes all obstacles and is the ultimate God of intelligence. At night it is believed that the Ganapati Atharvasheersha is chanted so that the Lord's blessing can be invoked. Before commencing any “Subha Karya” Ganesh puja, is performed to invoke to receive the blessings from Lord Ganesha to ensure that if a Vighna is spotted, it can be sucked out by the blessings of Lord Ganesha.
Fasting in the morning of Sakat Chauth or Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi is observed from Sunrise until moonrise. This is when devotees begin their fast and perform Parana following the sight of the Moon. The Moon rises on Sakat Chauth (Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi).