Vakratunda Sankatahara Chathurthi 2026 Date, Tithi Timings & Significance

Vakratunda Sankatahara Chathurthi

Vakratunda Sankatahara Chathurthi: The Ashwayuja Bahula Chavithi Vratham

Vakratunda Sankatahara Chathurthi is the Chavithi of Ashwayuja Bahula Paksha, falling after Dasara and before Deepavali. On this day Ganapati is worshipped as Vakratunda. Devotees fast during the day, perform puja in the evening and complete the vratham by offering arghya to the Moon after moonrise.

Who Is Vakratunda?

Vakratunda is the Lord with the curved trunk. The shloka that opens puja in almost every Telugu home, "Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada", begins with this very name. According to the Mudgala Purana, Vakratunda is the first avatar of Ganapati; riding a lion, he conquered Matsarasura, the demon of jealousy. The message is to keep the mind clean and free from envy at the progress of others.

The Day After Atla Taddi

Atla Taddi, a festival dear to Telugu women, falls on Ashwayuja Bahula Tadiya, and this Sankatahara Chathurthi comes the very next day. On both days the fast is broken only after moonrise. In North India, married women observe Karva Chauth around the same time, also ending their fast after seeing the Moon.

How to Perform the Puja

Take a head bath in the morning, bow to Ganapati and make the sankalpam to fast.
In the evening, worship the Ganesha idol or picture with sandal paste, kumkum, garika and red flowers.
Chant the "Vakratunda Mahakaya" shloka and the Ganesha Ashtottaram with devotion.
Offer undrallu, kudumulu, sesame laddus or jaggery paayasam, and read the vratha katha.
After moonrise, offer arghya to the Moon and break the fast with prasadam.

Significance

This Chathurthi comes just before Deepavali preparations, new business beginnings and family functions, and praying to Vakratunda now is believed to keep those efforts free of obstacles. Those with health concerns may fast on fruits and milk. If the day is a Tuesday, it is celebrated as Angaraka Sankatahara Chathurthi, considered even more auspicious.

May Vakratunda Ganapati make all your work free of obstacles, always.

Frequently asked questions

When is Vakratunda Sankatahara Chathurthi?

It falls on the Chavithi tithi of Ashwayuja Bahula Paksha, the day after Atla Taddi. It comes after Dasara and before Deepavali.

What does Vakratunda mean?

Vakratunda means the one with a curved trunk. According to the Mudgala Purana, it is Ganapati's first avatar, who conquered Matsarasura, the demon of jealousy.

Are Atla Taddi and Sankatahara Chathurthi the same?

No. Atla Taddi is a Gowri vratham on Ashwayuja Bahula Tadiya, while Sankatahara Chathurthi is a Ganapati vratham on the next day, Bahula Chavithi. Both fasts are broken after moonrise.

What is Angaraka Sankatahara Chathurthi?

When Sankatahara Chathurthi falls on a Tuesday, it is called Angaraka Sankatahara Chathurthi. Devotees consider it even more auspicious than the regular observance.

What can I eat during the Sankatahara Chathurthi fast?

Those who cannot fast fully may take fruits, milk and buttermilk. After offering arghya to the Moon, break the fast with Ganapati prasadam and a sattvic meal.

Vakratunda Sankatahara Chathurthi 2026

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