Lord Ganesha is revered as the foremost deity and is worshipped before the commencement of any auspicious occasion or new venture. Invoking his blessings at the beginning is believed to remove obstacles and ensure the successful completion of tasks. Lord Ganesha blesses his devotees with wisdom, success, prosperity, and clarity of thought, making him the divine guide for new beginnings.
Among the many sacred days dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Sankatahara Chaturthi holds a very special place.
What is Sankatahara Chaturthi?
Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha and is observed with great devotion across India and many parts of the world. Apart from this grand festival, Chaturthi occurs twice every lunar month:
- The 4th Tithi after Amavasya (New Moon) is known as Shukla Paksha Chaturthi
- The 4th Tithi after Pournami (Full Moon) is called Krishna Paksha Chaturthi, popularly known as Sankatahara Chaturthi
Though both Chaturthis are auspicious, Sankatahara Chaturthi is considered especially powerful.
Significance of Sankatahara Chaturthi
The word Sankatahara means “destroyer of difficulties.” It is believed that on this sacred day, Lord Ganesha freed Chandra (the Moon god) from a curse. As part of this divine event, Lord Moon requested a boon that devotees who worship Lord Ganesha on Sankatahara Chaturthi would be relieved from their troubles and blessed with success in their endeavors.
Because of this divine blessing, worshipping Lord Ganesha on Sankatahara Chaturthi is believed to remove obstacles, bring mental clarity, and ensure progress in personal and professional life.
Benefits of Worshipping Lord Ganesha on Sankatahara Chaturthi
- Removes obstacles and hardships
- Brings success in new ventures
- Grants peace of mind and clarity of thoughts
- Helps overcome fear, stress, and negativity
- Blesses devotees with health, wealth, and prosperity
How to Worship Lord Ganesha on Sankatahara Chaturthi
Devotees can follow these simple and sacred practices to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings:
1. Early Morning Rituals: Wake up early, take a clean bath, and wear fresh clothes. Visiting a nearby Ganesha temple and performing pooja or archanai is considered highly auspicious.
2. Observing Fasting: Fasting on Sankatahara Chaturthi is believed to be very beneficial. Devotees may observe a full fast or consume fruits and milk, depending on their health and ability.
3. Forms of Lord Ganesha for Worship
Lord Ganesha can be worshipped in various sacred forms, including:
- Turmeric Ganesha
- Metal idols made of silver, copper, brass, or bronze
- Vellerukku (Calotropis) tree Ganesha
- Karungali wood Ganesha
- Sphatik (crystal) Ganesha
4. Pooja and Offerings: Perform pooja by offering flowers, incense sticks, sambrani (dhoop), and lighting lamps. Offer neivedhyam such as modak, laddu, fruits, dry fruits, and nuts—Lord Ganesha’s favorite offerings.
5. Chanting and Devotional Songs: Chant Ganesha mantras, recite his names, or sing devotional songs to experience inner peace, clarity of mind, and spiritual upliftment.
Sankatahara Chaturthi 2026 Dates and Timing
According to Vakya Panchangam, the date and chaturthi tithi
1. January – 6th (Tuesday)
- Starts: 6 January – 12:17 PM
- Ends: 7 January – 11:35 AM
2. February – 5th (Thursday)
- Starts: 5 February – 02:50 AM
- Ends: 6 February – 03:11 AM
3. March – 6th (Friday)
- Starts: 6 March – 06:58 PM
- Ends: 7 March – 08:17 PM
4. April – 5th (Sunday)
- Starts: 5 April – 11:52 AM
- Ends: 6 April – 01:48 PM
5. May – 5th (Tuesday)
- Starts: 5 May – 04:41 AM
- Ends: 6 May – 06:37 AM
6. June – 4th (Thursday)
- Starts: 3 June – 08:24 PM
- Ends: 4 June – 09:46 PM
7. July – 3rd (Friday)
- Starts: 3 July – 10:26 AM
- Ends: 4 July – 10:57 AM
8. August – 2nd (Sunday)
- Starts: 1 August – 10:38 PM
- Ends: 2 August – 10:08 PM
9. September – 29th (Tuesday)
- Starts: 29 September – 09:04 PM
- Ends: 30 September – 05:06 PM
10. October – 29th (Thursday)
- Starts: 29 October – 04:00 AM
- Ends: 30 October – 02:16 AM
11. November – 27th (Friday)
- Starts: 27 November – 02:40 PM
- Ends: 28 November – 12:18 PM
12. December – 27th (Sunday)
- Starts: 27 December – 01:19 AM
- Ends: 27 December – 11:18 PM
