Ganadhipa Sankatahara Chathurthi 2026

Sankashti Chaturthi - The Sacred Day of Lord Ganesha Worship

In the Hindu Panchangam, the Krishna Paksha Chaturthi tithi (fourth day of the dark fortnight) of every month is called Sankashti Chaturthi or Sankatahara Chaturthi. This day is extremely sacred and dedicated to worshipping Sri Maha Ganapati. "Sankashti" or "Sankata" means difficulties or problems, while "Hara" means the remover. Therefore, Sankashti Chaturthi translates to "the Chaturthi that removes troubles and obstacles." Devotees believe that on every monthly Sankashti Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha descends to Earth to fulfill the wishes of his devotees and remove all obstacles from their lives.​

Ganadhipa Sankashti Chaturthi - Kartik Month

There are twelve Sankashti Chaturthi days in a year. Each month is celebrated with a different name, different Ganapati form, and different Peetha. The Krishna Paksha Chaturthi of Kartik month (Margashirsha month according to Amavasyant calendar) is called Ganadhipa Sankashti Chaturthi. "Ganadhipa" means the lord or leader of all groups (ganas). On this day, Lord Ganesha is worshipped in the form of Ganadhipa Maha Ganapati. Chandra Peetha (Moon seat) is associated with this day's worship.​

Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi - Special Significance

When Sankashti Chaturthi falls on Tuesday (Mangalvar or Angaraka Vaar), it gains special importance. It is called Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi, Angaraki Chaturthi, or Angarika. Since Tuesday is Lord Ganesha's most beloved day, when Sankashti Chaturthi falls on Tuesday, it is considered extremely sacred. Observing fasting and worship on Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi yields thousands of times more merit than other Sankashti Chaturthi days.​

Twelve Monthly Sankashti Chaturthi - Twelve Ganapati Forms

The twelve Sankashti Chaturthi days occurring throughout the year are each celebrated with different names and different Ganapati forms:​

1. Chaitra Month - Vighnharta Ganapati (Remover of Obstacles)
2. Vaishakha Month - Riddhi Siddhi Ganapati (Bestower of Wealth and Powers)
3. Jyeshtha Month - Buddhi Vidhata Ganapati (Provider of Wisdom)
4. Ashadha Month - Lambodara Ganapati (Large-Bellied One)
5. Shravana Month - Tarun Ganapati (Young Ganesha)
6. Bhadrapada Month - Mahaganapati (Supreme Ganesha)
7. Ashwina Month - Ucchista Ganapati (Tantric Form)
8. Kartik Month - Ganadhipa Ganapati (Lord of Groups)
9. Margashirsha Month - Kshipra Prasada Ganapati (Quick Blessings Giver)
10. Pausha Month - Shadakshara Ganapati (Six-Syllabled One)
11. Magha Month - Lalitha Ganapati (Goddess Ganesha)
12. Phalguna Month - Dwadasha Ganapati (Twelfth Form)

Worshipping the specific Ganapati form associated with each month brings special results.​

The Sacred Legend - The Moon and Ganesha

According to Hindu Puranas, the story of Sankashti Chaturthi is connected to the Moon and Sri Maha Ganapati. Once, a devotee of Lord Ganesha offered him a large quantity of modaks (sweet dumplings). Ganesha consumed all of them until his stomach became completely full. While returning home on his vehicle Mushika (mouse), the mouse stumbled and fell. This caused Ganesha to fall, and his stomach burst open.​

Witnessing this scene, the Moon laughed at Ganesha. Seeing this, Ganesha became very angry and cursed the Moon - "You laughed at me, so your light shall diminish. Whoever sees you will face false accusations and slander." Due to this curse, the Moon lost its radiance.​

The Moon approached Ganesha and apologized. Ganesha showed mercy and blessed, "Those who worship me on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi tithi will have all their troubles removed. Those who see and worship the Moon on that day will receive my grace." Since then, offering Arghya to the Moon during moonrise on Sankashti Chaturthi became mandatory. Lord Shiva placed the Moon (crescent moon) on his son Ganesha's forehead to relieve his pain. From that time, Ganesha received the name "Sankata Hara" (Remover of Troubles).​

The Significance of Sankashti Chaturthi

Sankashti Chaturthi is the most sacred day for worshipping Vighnaraja Ganapati. Ganesha is the deity who removes all obstacles and obstructions while bestowing intelligence, wisdom, wealth, and victory. The tradition is to first worship Ganesha before undertaking any auspicious activity. Lord Shiva declared his son Ganesha as superior to all deities except Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva, and Parvati.​

By worshipping Ganesha with devotion on Sankashti Chaturthi, observing fast, and offering Arghya to the Moon at moonrise, all life's problems—financial difficulties, health issues, family conflicts, business losses, and educational obstacles—are eliminated. Lord Ganesha grants wish fulfillment to those who observe this vrat.​

Comprehensive Puja Procedure

Morning Bath:
Wake up during Brahma Muhurta in the morning. Take a purifying bath. After bathing, wear clean clothes (yellow colored clothes are auspicious).​

Puja Room Purification:
Clean the house and puja room. Spread a yellow cloth on a wooden plank or puja altar.​

Ganesha Idol Installation:
Install a Ganadhipa Ganapati idol or regular Ganesha idol. Decorate the idol with yellow flower garlands. Drape with yellow cloth, Yajnopavita (sacred thread), and crown.​

Ghee Lamp:
Light a lamp with ghee. Offer incense and lamp.​

Durva Grass:
Durva grass (sacred grass) is extremely dear to Lord Ganapati. Offering 21 durva blades is mandatory. Ganesha worship is incomplete without durva grass.​

Modaks:
Modaks are Lord Ganesha's favorite offering. Five laddoos or modaks must be offered.​

Sattvic Offerings:
Offer kuttu poori, aloo sabzi, fruits, dry fruits, and dairy products as naivedya. All offerings should be sattvic items.​

Ganesha Mantras:
Invoke Lord Ganesha with Vedic mantras. Chant these mantras:​

• "Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah"
• "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah"
• "Om Vakratundaya Namah"
• "Om Ekadantaya Namah"
• "Om Ganadhipaya Namah"

Ganapati Atharvasheersha:
Recite Ganapati Atharvasheersha before moonrise. This is an extremely powerful stotra that invokes Lord Ganesha's blessings.​

Sankashti Vrat Katha:
Recite or listen to the Sankashti Chaturthi vrat katha. The vrat is incomplete without listening to the sacred story.​

Ganesha Aarti:
After completing the puja, perform Ganesha aarti. Sing "Jai Ganesha Jai Ganesha Deva".​

Moonrise Worship:
After the moon rises , first offer Arghya to the Moon. Cup water in both palms, face the moon, and offer water while chanting "Om Chandraya Namah." Sankashti vrat is incomplete without this moon worship.​

Breaking the Fast:
Break the fast only after offering Arghya to the Moon. First consume prasad, then partake of sattvic food.​

Fasting Regulations

On Sankashti Chaturthi, the fast extends from sunrise to moonrise:​

Nirjala Vrat: Some observe a complete fast without even water. This is the most rigorous but highly meritorious form of fasting.​

Fruit Diet: Most people consume fruits and milk. Only sattvic food should be taken.​

Prohibited Items: Rice, wheat, all grains must be avoided. Meat, alcohol, onions, and garlic are completely forbidden. Anger, falsehood, and negative thoughts should be avoided.​

What to Do: Remember Lord Ganesha throughout the day. Keep the mind pure and peaceful. Sing bhajans and devotional songs.​

Worship During Siddha Yoga:
Ganadhipa Sankashti Chaturthi often falls during Siddha Yoga. Puja and activities performed during Siddha Yoga definitely succeed. Worshipping Ganesha during this auspicious yoga fulfills all desires and removes all troubles.​

Remarkable Benefits of Sankashti Chaturthi

Observing Sankashti Chaturthi vrat brings numerous benefits:​

Spiritual Benefits:

• Obstacles (vighnas) are completely removed
• Negative karmas are destroyed
• Lord Ganesha's divine blessings are received
• Spiritual progress and devotion increase
• Mental peace and clarity are attained

Material Benefits:

• Wealth and prosperity enter life
• Financial stability and growth occur
• Success in business and career is achieved
• Family happiness increases
• Personal development occurs
• Better results in education
• Intelligence and wisdom increase
• Desires are fulfilled

Health Benefits:

• Physical health improves
• Mental peace and self-confidence increase
• Stress and anxiety reduce

Important Rules and Guidelines

For complete benefits from Sankashti Chaturthi, follow these guidelines:​

• Wake up during Brahma Muhurta and bathe
• Wearing yellow clothes is auspicious
• Offer yellow flowers and yellow cloth to Ganesha
• Durva grass is mandatory
• Offer modaks or laddoos as naivedya
• Recite Ganapati Atharvasheersha
• Vrat is incomplete without listening to katha
• Offering Arghya to the Moon at moonrise is essential
• Break fast only after offering Arghya to the Moon
• Consume only sattvic food
• Avoid grains, meat, and alcohol
• Observe vrat with faith, devotion, and sincerity

Concluding Blessings

Sankashti Chaturthi is the monthly Vighnaraja Ganapati worship day. By worshipping Ganadhipa Maha Ganapati with devotion, observing fast, and offering Arghya to the Moon at moonrise on this day, all troubles and obstacles in life are removed. Observing this vrat on Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi brings special results.​

Worshipping the twelve different Ganapati forms over twelve months fulfills all desires and brings wealth, prosperity, wisdom, victory, peace, and health. Performing Ganadhipa Sankashti Chaturthi puja during Siddha Yoga can make one a crorepati and bring all auspiciousness. May Ganadhipa Maha Ganapati bestow upon everyone obstacle removal, intelligence enhancement, wealth and prosperity, and wish fulfillment!