Sankashti Chaturthi — a monthly vrat dedicated to Lord Ganesha in Hinduism. Celebrated on the Chaturthi tithi of the Krishna Paksha of every lunar month. The word "Sankashti" means "remover of obstacles" — this vrat removes all kinds of troubles, obstacles, and impediments.
There are 12-13 Sankashti Chaturthis in a year. Each has its own name and special significance — Maghi Sankashti (Magha month), Lambodara Sankashti (Pausha), Dwijapriya Sankashti (Magha), Vikat Sankashti (Phalguna), etc. In this article, we will study the complete Sankashti Chaturthi vrat in detail — its significance, procedure, mantra, katha, and all 12 dates of 2026.
✦ Religious Significance of Sankashti Chaturthi
Mention of Sankashti Chaturthi appears in various places in the Puranas. Detailed glory is described in the Ganesha Purana, Skanda Purana, and Narada Purana. According to the Shiva Purana, when Lord Shiva killed Tripurasura, Lord Ganesha gave him the teaching of the Sankashti vrat.
According to another story, Mata Parvati did the Sankashti vrat for the first time for the wellbeing of her son Kartikeya — Kartikeya was at war with the asuras. By the power of the vrat, Kartikeya was victorious. Since then, this vrat has been famous for trouble-removal and child-welfare.
Lord Ganesha is "Vighnaharta" — destroyer of all obstacles. Work done after the Sankashti vrat is completed without obstacles, child wellbeing is achieved, peace and happiness come to the home, and freedom from diseases is gained. This vrat is considered especially auspicious for housewives, students, and those starting new ventures.
✦ Sankashti Vrat Procedure — Complete Process
Morning: Wake before sunrise, bathe (better with Ganga water), wear red/yellow clothes. Sit facing east. Chant "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" 108 times in Brahma Muhurat.
Vrat Sankalpa: Take water, rice, flowers in hand and make a sankalpa — "I _____ (your name) today _____ (date) take the Sankashti Chaturthi vrat for the grace of Lord Ganesha, for freedom from all troubles, and for _____ (any specific wish)." Offer the water.
Day rule: Keep nirjala vrat (also no water in some sects — but in most, water, fruit, milk are acceptable). Salt and grain (cereals) are completely prohibited. Only fruits acceptable — fruit, milk, coconut water, sago (phalahari).
Ganesha Worship: Spread red or yellow cloth on a chowki. Place the idol or picture of Lord Ganesha on it. Panchopachara worship — bath with Ganga water, sindoor tilak, flowers, incense, lamp, naivedya offering. Modak, laddu, durva (21 or 11 leaves) are especially favorite.
Mantra Japa: Chanting "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" 108 or 1008 times on Sankashti is extremely fruitful. Ganesha Gayatri Mantra — "Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe, Vakratundaya Dhimahi, Tanno Danti Prachodayat" can also be chanted 11/21/108 times.
Moon sighting and Arghya: Sankashti vrat is broken only after moon sighting. At moonrise (between 8-10 PM, depending on location), offer arghya to the moon mixed with water, milk, rice. Chant "Om Somaya Namah". Then offer modak/laddu to Lord Ganesha and accept the prasad yourself.
Sankashti Katha: After moon sighting, listen to or read the Sankashti katha (the specific katha of that month). Each month has a different katha — Maghi Sankashti has a different katha, Dwijapriya Sankashti has a different one. Finally, perform aarti.
Donation: The next morning, brahmin-feeding and donation. Offer sesame, jaggery, sugarcane, blanket, Ganesha-idol, durva. The vrat is then considered complete.
✦ The 12 Forms of Lord Ganesha — Monthly Sankashti
On each month's Sankashti Chaturthi, a specific form of Lord Ganesha is worshipped. These 12 forms are:
Chaitra (April): Vikat Mahaganapati — destroyer of obstacles, mouse vehicle. Vaishakha (May): Chintamani Ganapati — wish-fulfiller. Jyeshtha (June): Gananayaka Ganapati — group leader. Ashadha (July): Ekadanta Ganapati — single-tusked, knowledge-giver. Shravana (August): Vibhuvana Ganapati — lord of all three worlds.
Bhadrapada (September): Vakratunda Ganapati — curved-trunked, evil-destroyer. (In this month is the special Ganesh Chaturthi festival — Shukla Chaturthi.) Ashwina (October): Vighna Sankashti — obstacle-remover. Kartika (November): Ganadhipa Sankashti — lord of ganas. Margashirsha (December): Akhuratha Sankashti — riding on mouse-chariot.
Pausha (January): Lambodara Sankashti — large-bellied. Magha (February): Dwijapriya Sankashti (or Sakat Chauth) — beloved of brahmins. Phalguna (March): Bhalachandra Sankashti (or Ganesh Jayanti) — moon on Lord Ganesha's forehead.
Each form has its own specific mantra, remedy, and fruit. Maghi Sankashti (Krishna Chaturthi of Magha month, also called "Sakat Chauth") — especially famous in North India for child-wellbeing. Mothers keep nirjala vrat on this day for the longevity of their sons.
✦ All Sankashti Chaturthi Vrats of 2026
There are 13 Sankashti Chaturthis in 2026 (due to extra tithi in one month):
7 January (Wed): Lambodara Sankashti (Pausha Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 8:43 PM. 5 February (Thu): Dwijapriya/Sakat Chauth Sankashti (Magha Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 8:35 PM. Most famous in North India. 7 March (Sat): Bhalachandra Sankashti (Phalguna Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 9:15 PM.
5 April (Sun): Vikat Mahaganapati Sankashti (Chaitra Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 9:25 PM. 5 May (Tue): Chintamani Ganapati Sankashti (Vaishakha Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 9:50 PM. 3 June (Wed): Gananayaka Sankashti (Jyeshtha Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 10:05 PM.
3 July (Fri): Ekadanta Sankashti (Ashadha Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 9:45 PM. 1 August (Sat): Vibhuvana Ganapati Sankashti (Shravana Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 9:30 PM. 31 August (Mon): Vakratunda Sankashti (Bhadrapada Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 9:15 PM.
29 September (Tue): Vighna Sankashti (Ashwina Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 9:00 PM. 29 October (Thu): Ganadhipa Sankashti (Kartika Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 8:45 PM. 27 November (Fri): Akhuratha Sankashti (Margashirsha Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 8:30 PM. 27 December (Sun): Lambodara Sankashti (Pausha Krishna Chaturthi). Moonrise 8:15 PM.
✦ Benefits of Sankashti Vrat
Traditionally, it is believed that the Sankashti vrat brings many benefits. Main results: removal of all kinds of troubles, destruction of obstacles and impediments, child wellbeing and long life, financial prosperity, health benefits, home-happiness and marital happiness. This vrat is especially fruitful before starting any new venture.
Special results from special Sankashtis: Maghi Sankashti (Sakat Chauth) — son-wellbeing. Chaitra Sankashti — health benefits. Shravana Sankashti — success in business. Margashirsha Sankashti — gaining knowledge. Pausha Sankashti — wealth gain. Each month's Sankashti has its own special "domain".
In modern context, the importance of the Sankashti vrat is increasing — people are turning to this vrat for relief from stress, financial worries, and career-pressure. Especially popular among women, students, and entrepreneurs.
📚Sources & References
Content in this article is verified against the following classical and modern authoritative sources. Readers may independently verify against the original sources.
- ▪Surya Siddhanta — classical Sanskrit astronomical text (~5th century CE)
- ▪Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra — foundational text on Vedic astrology by Maharishi Parashara
- ▪Muhurta Chintamani by Ram Daivajna (16th century) — standard reference for muhurat selection
- ▪Astronomical Algorithms by Jean Meeus (Willmann-Bell, 1998) — basis for all astronomical computations on this site
- ▪Lahiri Ayanamsa — standard sidereal reference adopted by the Indian Calendar Reform Committee (1955)
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
Can water be drunk during the Sankashti vrat?▼
Different schools have different rules. Strict nirjala vrat — no water either (especially in Sakat Chauth). Ordinary vrat — water, fruit, milk acceptable; grain, salt prohibited. Most families follow the second rule. Decide based on your health condition.
Can both men and women do the Sankashti vrat?▼
Yes. Anyone can. Traditionally, mothers do it for son-wellbeing, students for gaining knowledge, entrepreneurs for success. Traditional rule of not keeping vrat during menstruation.
What to do if moon sighting is not possible?▼
If moon sighting is not possible due to clouds or rain, the moonrise time can be checked from the panchang and arghya can be offered through mental moon-darshan. Offer arghya facing the direction of the moon (east-north).
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Note: This content is published for educational and cultural reference. For personal religious or astrological decisions, please consult a qualified pandit or jyotishi.