Sankatahara Chathurthi

Upcomig Dates for Sankatahara Chathurthi 2023

October 31, 2023, Tuesday | November 30, 2023, Thursday | December 30, 2023, Saturday

Sankatahara Chathurthi

Sankatahara Chathurthi is a special day dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom, success, and obstacle removal. It is observed every month on the fourth day of the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu lunar calendar. Sankatahara means "remover of troubles," and Chathurthi means "the fourth day." Therefore, Sankatahara Chathurthi is a day to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha to overcome all kinds of difficulties and challenges in life.

Significance of Sankatahara Chathurthi

Sankatahara Chathurthi is considered one of the most auspicious and powerful days to worship Lord Ganesha. According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Ganesha was born on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). He is also known as Vinayaka, Ganapati, Vighneshwara, and many others. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the brother of Lord Kartikeya. He is revered as the first deity to be invoked before any auspicious activity, as he can remove all obstacles and grant success.

Sankatahara Chathurthi is believed to be the day when Lord Ganesha bestows his devotees with his grace and fulfills their wishes. It is said that whoever worships Lord Ganesha on this day with faith and devotion will be blessed with happiness, prosperity, health, wealth, wisdom, and good fortune. It is also said that Lord Ganesha removes the adverse effects of planet Ketu, which is associated with difficulties, delays, and disasters.

Legends of Sankatahara Chathurthi

There are many legends associated with Sankatahara Chathurthi. One of them is about a king named Indrasena, who was a great devotee of Lord Ganesha. He used to observe the Sankatahara Chathurthi fast every month and offer prayers to Lord Ganesha. Once, he was attacked by his enemies and was captured by them. He was imprisoned in a dark cell and tortured by them. Indrasena did not lose faith in Lord Ganesha and continued worshipping him even in captivity. On one Sankatahara Chathurthi day, he prayed to Lord Ganesha with utmost devotion and offered him a blade of grass. Lord Ganesha was pleased with his faith and appeared before him. He killed all his enemies, freed him from prison, and blessed him with a long and prosperous life.

Another legend is about a sage named Bharadwaja, who was Lord Ganesha's devotee. He used to perform Sankatahara Chathurthi puja every month and offer modakas (sweet dumplings) to Lord Ganesha. Once, he went to the Himalayas for penance and left his son Gana in charge of his ashram. Gana was a lazy and careless boy who neglected his duties and wasted time playing games. He did not perform Sankatahara Chathurthi puja or offer modakas to Lord Ganesha. As a result, he faced many troubles and misfortunes in his life. He realized his mistake and repented for his sins. He decided to observe the Sankatahara Chathurthi fast and worship Lord Ganesha with sincerity. He prepared modakas with great difficulty and offered them to Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha was moved by his repentance and accepted his offering. He forgave him for his past mistakes and blessed him with intelligence, courage, and success.

Important festivals associated with Sankatahara Chathurthi

There are some important festivals that are celebrated on Sankatahara Chathurthi days in different months. Some of them are:

• Sakat Chauth: This festival is celebrated on the Sankatahara Chathurthi day in the Magha month(January-February). It is also known as Til-Kuta Chauth or Vasant Panchami Chauth. Women mainly observe it for the well-being of their children and husbands. They worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Sakat (a form of Goddess Parvati) on this day and offer them sesame seeds and jaggery. They also listen to the story of Sakat Chauth and break their fast after seeing the moon.
• Angaraki Chaturthi: This festival is celebrated when Sankatahara Chathurthi falls on a Tuesday. Angaraki means "red like burning coal" and refers to the planet Mars, which is associated with Tuesday. It is considered to be a very auspicious and rare occurrence. It is believed that Lord Ganesha is very pleased on this day and grants the wishes of his devotees quickly and easily. Devotees observe a strict fast and worship Lord Ganesha with red flowers, clothes, and sandalwood paste. They also listen to the story of Angaraki Chaturthi and break their fast after seeing the moon.
• Ganesha Chaturthi: This festival is celebrated on the Sankatahara Chathurthi day in the Bhadrapada month (August-September). It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav. It is the birthday of Lord Ganesha and the most important festival dedicated to him. Devotees install clay idols of Lord Ganesha in their homes or public places and worship him for ten days with great pomp and enthusiasm. They offer him various delicacies, especially modakas, and sing his praises. They also immerse the Ganesha idols in water bodies on the eleventh day, bidding farewell to him with love and gratitude.

Benefits of observing Sankatahara Chathurthi

Observing the Sankatahara Chathurthi fast and puja has many benefits for the devotees. Some of them are:

• Helps to overcome all kinds of life problems, obstacles, and difficulties.
• Brings happiness, prosperity, health, wealth, wisdom, and good fortune.
• Enhances intelligence, creativity, memory, and learning abilities.
• Removes the harmful effects of planet Ketu and other malefic planets.
• Grants success in education, career, business, marriage, and other endeavors.
• Fulfills the desires of the devotees and grants them salvation.

Astrological Significance of Sankatahara Chathurthi

Sankatahara Chathurthi has a special astrological significance related to the moon and its phases. The moon is the significator of mind, emotions, imagination, and intuition in astrology. It also represents the mother, home, family, and nourishment. The waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha) is considered a time of decrease, decay, and detachment. It is a time to let go of the past, release negative emotions, and clear karmic debts. The fourth day of this phase (Chathurthi) is a critical juncture when the moon is at its weakest point. It is when one may face challenges, troubles, and obstacles in life.

Worshipping Lord Ganesha on this day helps to overcome these difficulties and gain strength, courage, and confidence. Lord Ganesha is the ruler of the moon and has the power to control its fluctuations. He also represents the higher mind, wisdom, intelligence, and success. He helps to balance the emotions, calm the mind, and enhance the intuition. He also protects from evil influences, negative energies, and enemies.

By observing Sankatahara Chathurthi fast and puja, one can align oneself with the cosmic energy of Lord Ganesha and receive his blessings. One can also improve one's mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

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