Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat
संकष्टी चतुर्थी व्रत
Sankashti Chaturthi (संकष्टी चतुर्थी) is a monthly fast for Lord Ganesha, kept on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the waning moon (Krishna Paksha). "Sankashti" means deliverance from troubles, and this vrat is believed to remove obstacles, debts and difficulties. The fast is broken only after sighting the moon and offering it arghya. The Sankashti falling on a Tuesday (Angarki) is the most powerful of all.
Fasting Rules & Vidhi
Wake early, bathe, and take a sankalp to keep the fast for Lord Ganesha.
Keep a day-long fast — phalahar (fruits, milk, sabudana) is allowed; no grains.
Worship Ganesha in the evening: offer durva grass (21 blades), red flowers, modak and ladoo, and light a lamp.
Chant "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" 108 times, recite the Ganesh Chalisa and the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha.
Wait for moonrise; offer arghya (water) to the moon, then to Ganesha, and only then break the fast.
Break the fast with the modak/ladoo prasad after the moon arghya.
Significance & Story
Chaturthi is sacred to Ganesha, the remover of obstacles (Vighnaharta). The Krishna Paksha Chaturthi each month is observed as Sankashti to be freed from sankat (troubles) — debts, illness, legal and family problems. The moon is worshipped because Ganesha blessed the moon after cursing it, making moonrise the auspicious moment to break the fast. Angarki Chaturthi (Sankashti on a Tuesday) is said to fulfil all wishes.
Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha (Vrat Story)
It is told that once Lord Ganesha, after enjoying a great feast of his beloved modaks, set out for home upon his little mouse, his belly round and full. On the way the mouse stumbled at the sight of a snake, and Ganesha tumbled to the ground. The Moon God, Chandra — proud of his own beauty — looked down and laughed mockingly at the round-bellied Lord fallen in the dust.
Angered by Chandra's arrogance, Ganesha cursed the Moon: that he would lose his light, and that whoever looked upon the moon would be falsely blamed and dishonoured. At once the moon went dark, and the world, robbed of its cool light, grew distressed. Humbled and repentant, Chandra and the gods prayed earnestly to Ganesha for forgiveness.
Moved by their devotion, Ganesha softened the curse: the moon would wax and wane and regain its brilliance, and the curse would hold in full only on Chaturthi. He declared that whoever worshipped him on the Chaturthi — keeping a fast and sighting the moon only after offering him worship and arghya — would be freed of all blame and obstacles.
This is why devotees keep the Sankashti Chaturthi vrat each month: fasting through the day, worshipping Lord Ganesha the obstacle-remover (Vighnaharta), and breaking the fast only after the moon has risen and been offered arghya. Those who keep it with faith find their troubles (sankashti) removed and their wishes fulfilled by Ganesha's grace.
Mantras for Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat
गणेश चालीसा
जय गणपति सदगुण सदन, कविवर बदन कृपाल । विघ्न हरण मंगल करण, जय जय गिरिजालाल ॥