KarmaVaaniVrat · Twice a month
Sankashti and Vinayaka Chaturthi
Also known as Sakat Chauth
Monthly fasts for Ganesha, the remover of obstacles: Sankashti in the dark fortnight, Vinayaka in the bright.
Every Krishna Chaturthi is Sankashti Chaturthi, “the fourth that frees from troubles”, kept with a fast broken only after moonrise. When it falls on a Tuesday it is Angaraki, considered especially powerful. Every Shukla Chaturthi is Vinayaka Chaturthi, a day of Ganesha worship.
Why it is kept
Ganesha is asked to remove the obstacles of the coming month.
Step by step
How to observe it
Fast through the day
On Sankashti, the fast lasts until the moon rises.
Worship Ganesha in the evening
Durva grass, red flowers and modaks are offered.
Offer arghya to the moon
After moonrise, water is offered to the moon, and only then is the fast broken.
Customs differ between regions, communities and families. Where your family or temple has its own way, follow it.
Fasting
Fasting
On Sankashti, from sunrise until moonrise.
Fasts should suit your health. Children, elders, pregnant women and anyone unwell or on medication should eat, or keep a lighter fast; that is the tradition, not an exception to it.
Traditions
- Fast until moonrise
- Moon darshan and arghya
- Modak offerings
Where to go
Temples to visit
पूजा सामग्री
