| Year | Date | Day | Auspicious day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 January | Friday | Sankata Chaturthi (சங்கடஹர சதுர்த்தி) |
| 2025 | 16 February | Sunday | Sankata Chaturthi (சங்கடஹர சதுர்த்தி) |
| 2025 | 17 March | Monday | Sankata Chaturthi (சங்கடஹர சதுர்த்தி) |
| 2025 | 16 April | Wednesday | Sankata Chaturthi (சங்கடஹர சதுர்த்தி) |
| 2025 | 16 May | Friday | Sankata Chaturthi (சங்கடஹர சதுர்த்தி) |
| 2025 | 14 June | Saturday | Sankata Chaturthi (சங்கடஹர சதுர்த்தி) |
| 2025 | 14 July | Monday | Sankata Chaturthi (சங்கடஹர சதுர்த்தி) |
| 2025 | 12 August | Tuesday | Sankata Chaturthi (சங்கடஹர சதுர்த்தி) |
| 2025 | 10 September | Wednesday | Sankata Chaturthi (சங்கடஹர சதுர்த்தி) |
| 2025 | 10 October | Friday | Sankata Chaturthi (சங்கடஹர சதுர்த்தி) |
| 2025 | 8 November | Saturday | Sankata Chaturthi (சங்கடஹர சதுர்த்தி) |
| 2025 | 8 December | Monday | Sankata Chaturthi (சங்கடஹர சதுர்த்தி) |
Sankatahara Chaturthi comes on every 4th day after Pournami or full moon day (Krishna Paksha) of Hindu lunar calendar. It is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Devotees who observe fast on this day will be blessed. The word "sankata" means obstacles or troubles and "hara" means removing or destroying.
Hence this day is called as Sankatahara chaturthi. Lord Ganesha will reduce problems and remove obstacles.
Devotees believe that Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and beginnings, will bless them with success and prosperity if they observe this fast with devotion.
According to Hindus, Ganesha is supeior to all the gods. At the beginning of any new venture, Hindu devotees worship Lord Ganesh, so that they will get best result in all their works. Sankatahara chaturthi which falls on Tuesday is called as Angaraki Sankatahara Chaturthi. This angaraki sankatahara chaturthi is considered highly important among all other Sankatahara Chaturthi days.
Devotees typically observe a strict fast on this day, which includes abstaining from food and water until they have sighted the moon in the evening. The fast is broken once the moon is visible, and a special pooja (worship) is performed to Lord Ganesha. This includes offering sweets like modak, fruits, and other favorite dishes of Ganesha. Chanting of Ganesha mantras, recitation of the Ganesha hymn and visiting Ganesha temples are also common practices on Sankatahara Chaturthi.
The timing and observance of Sankatahara Chaturthi may vary based on the regional customs and lunar calendar, but it is widely observed by Ganesha devotees throughout India and by Hindus in other parts of the world. This vrat (fast) is a way for individuals to seek Ganesha's blessings for the removal of obstacles and the fulfillment of their wishes. It is believed that observing this fast with devotion can help remove various obstacles and challenges in one's life, including those related to health, wealth, and relationships.
Devotees typically wake up early on Sankatahara Chaturthi and perform a morning pooja (worship) dedicated to Lord Ganesha. They may visit Ganesha temples and offer flowers, incense, and lamps to the deity. Many people also choose to read or listen to the story or legend associated with Sankatahara Chaturthi. Fasting is a central aspect of this observance. Devotees abstain from consuming food and water from sunrise until they have sighted the moon in the evening. The duration of the fast can vary, but it usually lasts until they perform the moon sighting and evening pooja.
The fast is broken once the moon is visible in the evening sky. Devotees believe that seeing the moon on Sankatahara Chaturthi is an auspicious sign and a signal to break the fast. This moment is traditionally marked with the offering of food, sweets, and prayers to Lord Ganesha.
The Sankashti Chaturthi falling on a Tuesday is known as Angaraki Chaturthi, and it is considered highly auspicious. Angaraki Chaturthi is believed to be especially effective in seeking Lord Ganesha's blessings for the removal of obstacles and difficulties in life. Devotees pray for success, well-being, and the fulfillment of their desires. Though the festival is celebrated throughout the year, the observance on the Chaturthi that falls on a Tuesday is considered especially significant. Devotees believe that the energy of Lord Ganesha is particularly strong on this day, making it an auspicious time to seek his blessings for the removal of difficulties.
The chaturthi which comes before vinayagar chaturthi is called as 'Maha Sankatahara Chaturthi'. It has very special significance. Sankatahara Chaturthi is a day of devotion, prayer, and a deep connection with Lord Ganesha. Many Hindus believe that by observing this fast and seeking Ganesha's blessings, they can overcome difficulties and challenges in their lives and move forward with renewed hope and positivity.
Devotees fast from sunrise until they can see the moon, and once the moonrise is observed, they break their fast by offering prayers to Lord Ganesha. The timing of Chandrodaya is crucial for the successful observance of Sankashti Chaturthi. When the moon is not visible due to clouds or other obstructions, devotees often wait until they can see the moon. Moonrise marks the end of the day's fasting and the commencement of worship and rituals dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
In some places, Sankatahara Chaturthi is observed with community gatherings and special events at Ganesha temples. Devotees come together to celebrate and seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha as a community. The customs and traditions associated with Sankatahara Chaturthi may vary by region and individual beliefs. However, the core essence of seeking Ganesha's blessings for the removal of obstacles and the fulfillment of wishes remains consistent.
Some devotees also observe Vritham (fasting) on this day, until the sighting of the Moon in the evening and this is known as Sankatahara Chaturthi Vrat. After offering Modaks, Bananas, Coconut, tender coconut water, fruits to Lord Ganesha, and the devotee can now break the fast and sleep in the night.
Sankatahara Chaturthi is observed by Ganesha devotees throughout India and by Hindus worldwide. There are some places in India, the observance of this auspicious day is particularly significant, and it may have special customs or grand celebrations. Hindu devotees undergo fasting, perform poojas, chanting hymns, do other rituals and pray to Lord Ganesha. People break the fast after having the darshan (auspicious sight) of moon. Devotees believe their wish will be fulfilled, problems will be reduced and obstacles will be removed. God will bless them with happy life.
There are many temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha that are famous for the observance of Sankatahara Chaturthi, and devotees visit these temples to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha on this auspicious day. Here are a few well-known Ganesha temples in India where Sankatahara Chaturthi is celebrated with great devotion:
These are just a few examples of famous Ganesha temples where Sankatahara Chaturthi is celebrated with great fervor. However, you can find Ganesha temples in many other regions across India where this auspicious day is observed with devotion and enthusiasm. Overall, Sankatahara Chaturthi is a religious and spiritual occasion that holds a special place in the hearts of devotees who turn to Lord Ganesha for guidance and support in times of trouble. It is a day of faith, prayer, and hope that obstacles will be removed and that one's path will be made smoother with the blessings of the deity.