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Sankashti Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrated on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the waning moon (Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu calendar month of Magh. It is observed mainly in Western India, particularly in the state of Maharashtra. The festival holds great significance for followers of Lord Ganesha and is considered to be one of the most auspicious days for worshipping the deity. Let’s find out the meaning and important rituals to follow on this auspicious day.
The term Sankashti meaning is 'deliverance from difficulties' and it is believed that Lord Ganesha can provide relief from all obstacles and troubles. Therefore, Sankashti Chaturthi means the fourth day of the lunar calendar which delivers people from difficulties. The fast is observed from sunrise to moonrise and devotees break the fast with a meal after offering prayers to the Lord. On this day, Lord Ganesha is worshipped in the form of the 'Sankashti Vinayak' which is considered to be an incarnation of the Lord who can help overcome all obstacles.
Moreover, Sankashti Chaturthi is also known as lambodara sankashti chaturthi as this day is dedicated to Lord Ganesha who is also known as Lambodar and Vinayak. One of the key rituals of the Sankashti Chaturthi is the 'Ganapati Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha' which is a narrative that explains the story of Lord Ganesha and his ability to remove obstacles and grant blessings. The story is recited during the evening puja, followed by the offering of sweets and fruits to the Lord Ganesha.
In addition to the puja, devotees also participate in the 'Modaka Habba' which is a festival of sweets where Modak, a sweet dumpling filled with jaggery and coconut, is offered to Lord Ganesha. This sweet is considered to be Lord Ganesha's favourite and is made in large quantities for the festival.
The Sankashti Chaturthi is also a time for charity and acts of kindness. Devotees offer food and clothes to the less fortunate and engage in other charitable activities as a way of seeking blessings from the Lord Ganesha.
Sankashti Chaturthi - Significance, Importance and Rituals
The festival of Sankashti Chaturthi is a celebration that is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It holds utmost importance in the Hindu culture. In the year 2023 it will be observed for a total of 13 times. The devotees observe a fast on this auspicious day and pray and worship Lord Ganesha. There are ideally two types of fasts that people observe on this day, these include a full fast or a partial fast. In a partial fast people are allowed to eat certain food items. These items include the following:
This festival is considered to be one of the most important festivals in Hindu culture. Moreover, there is also a proper sankashti chaturthi vrat vidhi than an individual observing a fast must follow, thi is as follows:
Sankashti Chaturthi Dates 2023
Mentioned below are the days on which the festival of Sankashti Chaturthi will be observed. These are as follows:
Thus, the Sankashti Chaturthi is an important festival in the Hindu religion, particularly for followers of Lord Ganesha. It is a day of fasting, prayer, and charity, and provides an opportunity for devotees to seek the blessings of the Lord and overcome obstacles in their lives.