Vignaraja Sankatahara Chathurthi 2026

Vighnaraja Sankatahara Chathurthi: Bhadrapada Bahula Chavithi

Vighnaraja Sankatahara Chathurthi is the Chavithi of Bhadrapada Bahula Paksha. It comes in the same month as Vinayaka Chavithi, in the middle of Pitru Paksha (Mahalaya Paksha). Devotees worship Ganapati as Vighnaraja, fast during the day and end the vratham by offering arghya to the Moon after moonrise.

Who Is Vighnaraja?

Vighnaraja means the King of Obstacles, the one who has full command over every hurdle. Elders describe Ganapati as placing obstacles before those on the wrong path and removing them for those who walk the path of dharma. The Mudgala Purana lists eight avatars of Ganapati, and Vighnaraja is one of them; in this form he is said to have conquered Mamasura, the demon of "I and mine". The real removal of obstacles, then, is overcoming our own selfishness and excessive attachment.

Observing It During Pitru Paksha

Many families perform tarpanams and shraddhas for ancestors during Mahalaya Paksha, and some wonder whether deity worship is allowed in this period. The common practice is that daily puja and regular vrathams continue as usual. On a day when a shraddha is due, some families complete the ancestral rites first and do the puja afterwards. Follow your family custom and your purohit's advice.

How to Perform the Puja

• Bathe in the morning, light a lamp before Ganapati and make the sankalpam to fast.
• In the evening, worship with garika, red flowers and akshatalu.
• Chanting the Sankatanashana Ganesha Stotram from the Narada Purana ("Pranamya shirasa devam"), which lists twelve names of Ganapati, is especially recommended.
• Offer undrallu, bananas and jaggery as naivedyam and read the vratha katha.
• After moonrise, offer arghya to the Moon and break the fast.

Significance

Coming just days after the Vinayaka Chavithi idol is immersed, this Chathurthi lets devotees continue that devotion. Many pray today for obstacles to clear before new ventures, exams or journeys. Those who cannot fast fully may keep the observance with fruits and milk.

May Vighnaraja Ganapati clear every obstacle on your path.