Sankashti Chaturthi, also known as Sankatahara Chaturthi and Sankashti, is a holy day in every

lunar month In lunar calendars, a lunar month is the time between two successive syzygies of the same type: new moons or full moons. The precise definition varies, especially for the beginning of the month. Variations In Shona, Middle Eastern, and Euro ...

of the

Hindu calendar The Hindu calendar, also called Panchangam, Panchanga (), is one of various lunisolar calendars that are traditionally used in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, with further regional variations for social and Hindu religious purposes ...

dedicated to the Hindu god

Ganesha Ganesha or Ganesh (, , ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka and Pillaiyar, is one of the best-known and most worshipped Deva (Hinduism), deities in the Hindu deities, Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in the Ganapatya sect. His depictions ...

. This day falls on the fourth day of the

Krishna Paksha Paksha () refers to a fortnight or a lunar phase in a month of the Hindu lunar calendar. Literally meaning "side", a paksha is the period either side of the ''purnima'' ( full moon day). A lunar month in the Hindu calendar has two fortnights, an ...

(the dark fortnight). If this Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, it is called Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi, Angaraki Chaturthi, Angaraki and Angarika. Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi is considered highly sacred. This is said to have started around 700 BC as an obstacle removal ritual regarding conflicting views of confidence as stated by Abhisheka Maharishi in tutoring his pupil Aishwarya while deriving due reason from the scriptures.

Practices

Sankashti Chaturthi comes on every fourth day after Pournami full moon (Krishna Paksha) of the Hindu lunar calendar month. On Sankashti Chaturthi, devotees observe a strict fast. They break the fast at night after having

darshan Darshan, a Sanskrit word meaning "sight" or "viewing", may refer to: Ceremony and religion * Darshan (Indian religions), the auspicious sight of a divine image or holy person; also a school of Hindu philosophy * Darshan (Judaism), a Scriptural ...

(auspicious sight) of the moon preceded by prayers to Ganesha. The Angaraki Chaturthi (angarak in Sanskrit means red like burning coal embers and refers to the planet Mars (which Tuesday (मंगलवार) is named after). Devotees believe their wishes will be fulfilled if they pray on this day. Observing this fast is believed to reduce problems, as Ganesha is the remover of all obstacles and the supreme lord of intelligence. Before moonlight, the Ganapati Atharvasheersha is recited to invoke the blessings of Lord Ganesha. The Krishna Paksha Chaturthi in the month of Magha is also observed as Sakat Chauth. During each month, Ganesha is worshiped with a different name and ''peeta'' (seat). On the Sakashta Chaturthi day of each month, the 'Sankashta Ganapathi Pooja' prayer is performed. Each ''Vrata'' (strict fast) has a purpose and is explained to us by a story known as the ''Vrata Katha''. This prayer offering has 13 ''Vrata Kathas'', one for each month and the 13th story is for ''adhika'' (The Hindu calendar has one extra month approximately every three years). The story pertaining to that month is recited. The Sankasta Ganapathi Pooja – 13 names and peetas In North and Central India, this fast is observed on the fourth day of

of Magha month of the Hindu calendar. Durga women perform ''Arghya'' to Chandrama at night. ''Bhugga'' (a til jaggery mixture) and radish are donated and eaten to complete the fast. It is one of the main rituals celebrated by the Lodhi Rajputs.

Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi

Angarika Chaturth (अंगारिका चतुर्थी) is a Sankashti Chaturthi falling on Tuesday. It is considered highly auspicious among all Sankashti Chaturthi days. Angaraka, the son of the earth goddess

Prithvi Prithvi (Sanskrit: पृथ्वी, ', also पृथिवी, ', "the Vast One", also rendered Pṛthvī Mātā), is the Sanskrit name for the earth, as well as the name of the goddess-personification of it in Hinduism. The goddess Prit ...

, was an accomplished

rishi In Indian religions, a ''rishi'' ( ) is an accomplished and enlightened person. They find mention in various Vedic texts. Rishis are believed to have composed hymns of the Vedas. The Post-Vedic tradition of Hinduism regards the rishis as "gre ...

and a great devotee of Ganesha. He worshipped Ganesha and sought his blessings. On Magha Krishna Chaturthi (a Tuesday), Ganesha blessed him and asked him for a wish. Angaraka expressed that his only wish was to be associated with Ganesha's name forever. The deity granted his wish and proclaimed that whoever worships Ganesha on Angarika Chaturthi will be granted all that he/she prays for. From that day onwards, Magh Krishna Chaturthi came to be known as Angarak Chaturthi. On the day of Angarika Sankashti Chaturthi, the devotees observe a strict fast from morning till evening. They break the fast at night after having a darshan/auspicious sighting of the moon, preceded by prayers and a pooja for

. The Angarika Chaturthi (angarak in Sanskrit means red like burning coal embers) devotees believe their wishes will be fulfilled if they pray on this auspicious day. The fast of Sankashti Chaturthi is generally started from the day "Angarika Sankashti Chaturthi". Also ''Angarika Sankashti'' means deliverance during troubled times, hence observing this fast is believed to reduce a person's problems, as Ganesha is the remover of all obstacles and the supreme lord of intelligence. Before moonlight, the Ganapati Atharvashesha is recited to summon the blessings of Ganesha.

References

{{HinduFestivals Festivals in India Ganesha Hindu holy days Hindu festivals