What Sankashti means
Sankashti (or Sankat Chaturthi) means "deliverance from troubles". It is kept on the Chaturthi of krishna paksha — the fourth day after the full moon — every month, in honour of Ganesh as Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles. (Its counterpart in shukla paksha is Vinayaka Chaturthi; Ganesh Chaturthi in Bhadrapada is the great annual festival.)
Special Sankashtis
- Angaraki Sankashti: when the Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday (Angarak is Mangal). It is considered equal to keeping all the year's Sankashtis.
- Sakat Chauth / Til Chauth in Magh: widely kept in North India by mothers for their children's long life, with sesame-and-jaggery offerings.
- Each month's Sankashti has its own name of Ganesh and its own katha in the Ganesh Purana tradition.
The vidhi
- Bathe early, take the sankalpa, and fast through the day — many take fruit, milk and sabudana; some keep a full fast.
- In the evening, worship Ganesh: red flowers, 21 blades of durva, modak or laddu, akshat, sindoor, dhoop and lamp. Recite the Sankat Nashan Ganesh Stotra and that month's Sankashti katha.
- Chant Om Gan Ganapataye Namah or Vakratunda Mahakaya.
- At moonrise, offer arghya to the moon — water with milk, flowers and akshat from a lota — and pray.
- Only then break the fast, with the prasad first.
Why the moon?
A well-known story tells that the moon once laughed at Ganesh's round belly and elephant face, and Ganesh cursed him. When the moon repented, the curse was softened — and the moon's worship on Chaturthi became part of Ganesh's own vrat. (On Bhadrapada's Ganesh Chaturthi, by contrast, the moon is traditionally not to be looked at, for the same story.)
Frequently asked questions
When is Sankashti Chaturthi?
Every month on the Chaturthi of krishna paksha — the fourth day after Purnima.
When is the Sankashti fast broken?
After moonrise, once arghya has been offered to the moon. Check your city's moonrise time, which varies.
What is Angaraki Sankashti?
A Sankashti that falls on a Tuesday; it is considered especially powerful.
What is offered to Ganesh on Sankashti?
Durva grass (21 blades), red flowers, modak or laddu, and sindoor.
Is Sakat Chauth the same as Sankashti?
Sakat Chauth is the Sankashti of Magh month, kept especially by mothers for their children.
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