Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi 2026 — Date, Vrat Katha, Significance & Puja Guide

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What is Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi?

Every month, Lord Ganesha blesses his devotees through a sacred vrat called Sankashti Chaturthi — observed on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of Krishna Paksha, the waning phase of the moon. Each month's Sankashti is dedicated to a unique form of Ganesha, and the one that falls in the month of Jyeshtha is known as Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi.

The name itself carries deep meaning. "Eka" means one, "Danta" means tusk — together, Ekadanta refers to the one-tusked form of Lord Ganesha. This is one of Ganesha's most powerful and revered forms, celebrated not just for its appearance but for the profound story behind how Ganesha came to have only one tusk. On this day, Lord Ganesha is worshipped in his form as Chanakra Raja Ekadanta Maha Ganapati, seated upon the Srichakra Peetha.

The word Sankashti itself comes from the Sanskrit words Sankata (trouble) and Nashana (destruction) — literally meaning the destroyer of all troubles. Observing this vrat is considered one of the most powerful remedies for removing life's obstacles, clearing sins, and attaining prosperity, health, and peace.

Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi 2026 — Date & Moonrise Time

Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2026

Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 5 May 2026 at 5:24 AM

Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 6 May 2026 at 7:51 AM

Moonrise (Chandrodaya) Time: 10:22 PM on 5 May 2026 (based on standard Indian timings —it may vary according to your Location)

This year, Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, making it an even more auspicious Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi. According to legend, Lord Ganesha himself declared that those who observe the vrat on a Tuesday-Chaturthi will have all their wishes fulfilled. It is said that fasting on a single Angaraki Chaturthi is equivalent to observing the vrat for an entire year.

Note on Moonrise Time: The moonrise time varies from city to city. Devotees in Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and other cities should refer to a local Panchang or a trusted Hindu calendar app for city-specific moonrise timings. The fast must be broken only after sighting the moon.

The Significance of Ekadanta — Why Does Ganesha Have One Tusk?

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Of the many forms of Ganesha, Ekadanta is among the most distinctive. Most depictions of Lord Ganesha show him with one full tusk and one broken tusk. Have you ever wondered why?

There are several sacred stories behind this, but the most famous involves two mighty figures from Hindu mythology — Lord Shiva and Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu.

The Legend of Ekadanta — Shiva, Parashurama, and the Broken Tusk

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Parashurama, the warrior sage and one of the seven Chiranjeevis (immortals) of Hindu tradition, was a devoted disciple of Lord Shiva. After completing years of intense penance and receiving Shiva's divine blessings, including the legendary Parashu (axe), Parashurama set out one day to meet his beloved Lord Shiva at Mount Kailash.

At the gates of Kailash, he was stopped by none other than Lord Ganesha, the devoted son of Shiva and Parvati, who stood guard while his father rested inside. Ganesha politely but firmly refused Parashurama entry, explaining that Lord Shiva was not to be disturbed.

Parashurama, known for his fierce and unyielding nature — the same warrior energy that made him an avatar of Vishnu — grew furious. A battle broke out between the two. The fight was intense, for Parashurama was no ordinary warrior. He hurled the divine Parashu axe — the very weapon gifted to him by Shiva himself — at Ganesha.

Knowing that this axe was a gift from his own father, Ganesha chose not to dodge it out of reverence. He allowed the axe to strike, and it severed his left tusk. From that moment onward, Lord Ganesha came to be known as Ekadanta — the One-Tusked One.

The story carries a profound message: Ganesha's sacrifice of his tusk is a symbol of his boundless love and respect for his father, Lord Shiva. His restraint in the face of provocation teaches devotees that true strength lies not in retaliation but in devotion.

This is why Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi is dedicated to this particular form of Ganesha — a form born from sacrifice, patience, and filial devotion.

The Story of Ekadanta in the Mudgala Purana:

Ekadanta in the Mudgala Purana — The Cosmic Significance

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While the Parashurama story explains how Ganesha came to have one tusk, the sacred Mudgala Purana — one of the only two scriptures in all of Hindu tradition exclusively dedicated to Lord Ganesha — reveals a far deeper, cosmic dimension of the Ekadanta form.

The Mudgala Purana is an Upapurana of immense spiritual significance. It describes eight incarnations of Ganesha, each appearing in different cosmic ages, each representing a stage of the absolute as it unfolds into creation. These eight avatars are not merely stories of battles — they are philosophical teachings, each incarnation embodying a specific truth about the universe and the human soul.
The eight incarnations are Vakratunda, Ekadanta, Mahodara, Gajavaktra, Lambodara, Vikata, Vighnaraja, and Dhumravarna, each having philosophical significance related to Brahman and cosmic principles.

Ekadanta is the second of these eight cosmic incarnations — and it is perhaps the most philosophically profound.

Ekadanta symbolises the aggregate of all individual souls, conveying essential Brahmic attributes. In this form, Ganesha defeats Madasura — the demon of arrogance and conceit — and teaches the virtues of humility, single-mindedness, and self-restraint.

Think about what this means. The single tusk of Ekadanta is not just a physical feature — it is a profound symbol. His single tusk stands for focus and the piercing of ego's pride. In this form, Ganesha teaches that one-pointed attention and genuine humility are essential to break through the inflated sense of self that blocks clarity.

Madasura, the demon Ekadanta defeats, represents the intoxication of pride — the feeling that one is above all others, above all laws, even above the divine. This demon lives within every human being. Every time we place our ego above wisdom, Madasura grows stronger. And it is Ekadanta — the one-tusked, single-pointed, humble form of Ganesha — who cuts through that arrogance.

Ganesha's earliest name was in fact, Ekadanta, referring to his single, whole tusk. Some of the earliest images of Ganesha show him holding his broken tusk. The importance of this distinctive feature is reflected in the Mudgala Purana, which states that the name of Ganesha's second incarnation is Ekadanta.

In meditation, Ekadanta is visualised in a blue complexion, with four hands — the broken tusk held in the main right hand, a laddu (sweet) in the main left, rudraksha mala in the upper right, and an axe in the upper left. The axe, gifted by Shiva to Parashurama and then used against Ganesha himself, now rests in Ekadanta's hand — transformed from a weapon of conflict into a tool that cuts the bonds of ignorance.

The Mudgala Purana's message for devotees of Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi is powerful: On this day, when you fast and pray to Ekadanta, you are not merely seeking relief from external obstacles. You are invoking the cosmic force that destroys the greatest obstacle of all — your own ego. Observe the vrat with humility, pray with single-pointed focus, and Lord Ekadanta will remove what no outer circumstance can — the pride and arrogance that blocks your path to wisdom, wealth, and peace.

Who is Lord Ganesha? — Ganesha the God of Wisdom and New Beginnings

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Lord Ganesha — also lovingly called Shree Ganesha, Vinayagar, Ganapati, Pillayar, or Vighneshvara — is one of the most widely worshipped deities in Hinduism. He is the god of wisdom, intellect, new beginnings, and the remover of obstacles. No puja, no auspicious event, no new venture begins in a Hindu household without first invoking Ganesha.

He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and the elder brother of Lord Kartikeya (also known as Murugan). Yes — Ganesha is the elder of the two brothers, though in South India, Kartikeya (Murugan) holds equal, if not greater, prominence.

Ganesha is often depicted alongside Goddess Lakshmi, especially during festivals like Diwali — the belief being that wherever Ganesha is worshipped, Lakshmi (wealth and prosperity) follows naturally.

How many forms of Ganesha are there? The scriptures describe 32 primary forms of Ganesha, each with unique attributes and significance. Among these, Ekadanta stands out as one of the most powerful. Other well-known forms include Vakratunda, Mahodara, Gajanana, Lambodara, Vikata, Vighnaraja, and Dhoomravarna.

Ganesha with clay — the traditional terracotta or clay Ganesha — is especially popular during Ganesha Chaturthi, where eco-friendly clay idols are immersed in water after the festival. However, for home worship and daily puja, idols made from sacred materials like Karungali wood, Vellerukku root, or high-quality resin are considered far more auspicious for permanent installation.

Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha

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Every Sankashti Chaturthi has its own Vrat Katha (sacred story) that devotees recite or listen to during the puja. The katha is an essential part of the vrat — it is said that merely listening to it with full devotion can cleanse sins and earn the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

The katha associated with Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi narrates the glory of Lord Ganesha in his one-tusked form and the power of devotion and fasting. It tells of devotees who, even unintentionally observing a fast on Chaturthi day, attained great merit. In one story, a sinner who had fasted unknowingly all day long earned enough merit to attain a place in Svananda Loka — the sacred abode of Lord Ganesha himself.

The katha concludes with Ganesha declaring that whosoever observes his vrat with sincerity will be freed of all troubles, sins, and worldly obstacles, and will be blessed with health, wealth, and peace.

Reciting the vrat katha in the evening before the moonrise, ideally after completing the puja, is the traditional practice. Many devotees also recite the Ganesh Chalisa and Ganesh Aarti as part of the evening ritual.

Puja Vidhi — How to Observe Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi

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Morning:

Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, take a ritual bath, and wear clean clothes. Perform the Sankalp — a vow to observe the fast until moonrise for the removal of obstacles and the fulfilment of wishes. Set up a clean altar with a Ganesha idol or image, preferably draped in a red cloth.

Offerings (Puja Samagri):

Offer durva grass (Lord Ganesha's favourite), red flowers, modaks or laddus, sesame seeds, jaggery, incense, and a ghee lamp. Chant the following mantra with devotion:

"Vakratunda Mahakaya, Surya Koti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva, Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada"

You may also chant "Om Ekadantaya Namah" — the specific mantra for this form of Ganesha.

During the Day:

Maintain the fast. Permitted food includes fruits, milk, sabudana khichdi, potatoes, peanuts, and other satvik items. Grains and non-vegetarian food must be strictly avoided.

Evening:

Recite the Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha. Perform the Ganesh Aarti. Recite the Ganesh Chalisa if possible.

Moonrise — Breaking the Fast:

After sighting the moon, offer arghya (water mixed with milk) to the moon while chanting Ganesha's name. Only after this ritual is the fast considered complete and food may be consumed.

Puja Thali Set Section:

A proper Sankashti Chaturthi puja is incomplete without the right offerings. Here is everything you need for a complete and auspicious Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi Puja Thali:

Tip: All items for a complete Sankashti Chaturthi puja thali, including incense, camphor, diyas, and sacred flowers, are available at Om Spiritual Shop's pooja items section — everything you need for an authentic, complete puja in one place.

Ganesha Chaturthi vs Sankashti Chaturthi — What is the Difference?

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This is one of the most commonly asked questions. The two festivals share the name "Chaturthi" but are observed at different times and for different reasons.

Ganesha Chaturthi (also called Vinayaka Chaturthi) falls on the fourth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the month of Bhadrapada — typically in August or September. It celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha and is a grand, multi-day public celebration, especially in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Sankashti Chaturthi, on the other hand, falls every month on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (waning moon). It is a personal, devotional vrat — a monthly fast observed at home for seeking Ganesha's blessings, removing obstacles, and fulfilling wishes.

In Tamil Nadu, Sankashti Chaturthi is widely known as Sankat Hara Chaturthi and is observed with great devotion across the state.

Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi Festival is Dedicated to Which Deity?

Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi is dedicated entirely to Lord Ganesha — specifically in his Ekadanta (one-tusked) form, worshipped as Chanakra Raja Ekadanta Maha Ganapati on the Srichakra Peetha. This is one of the 13 forms of Ganesha worshipped across the 13 Sankashti Chaturthi vrats observed every year.

Bring Lord Ekadanta Home — Ganesha Idols for Your Puja

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Observing the Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi vrat is made even more spiritually powerful when you have a consecrated Ganesha idol in your puja room. A sacred idol is not just a decorative piece — it is the physical focal point of your devotion, a vessel through which your prayers reach Lord Ganesha.

At Om Spiritual Shop, we offer a curated range of Ganesha idols crafted from sacred materials that align perfectly with the spirit of Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi:

Karungali Ucchista Ganapati (ebony wood) for success, courage, and overcoming fears; Karungali Vinayagar Model 10 for daily worship and gifting; Karpaga Vinayagar Fibre Statue (wish-fulfilling) for return gifts, car dashboards, shop inaugurations, or home puja.

Vellerukku Vinayagar (calotropis root) for wisdom and obstacle removal; Vellerukku Vinayagar with Om Arch for meditation corners; Panchamuga Ganesha (five-faced resin) for spiritual growth and complete blessings.

All idols are available at Om Spiritual Shop — a trusted spiritual store based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, offering authentic, sacred products for your puja needs. Shipping available across India.

Famous Ganesha Temples You Must Visit:

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Across India, Lord Ganesha resides in some of the most ancient, miraculous, and architecturally stunning temples in the country. On the occasion of Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi, visiting a Ganesha temple or offering prayers from afar to these sacred shrines is believed to multiply the blessings of your vrat manifold. Here are five of the most celebrated Ganesha temples in India:

1. Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Perhaps the most famous Ganesha temple in all of India, the Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, Mumbai is a spiritual powerhouse visited by millions every year — from humble devotees to heads of state and celebrities. The temple was built in the 18th century and is regarded as the most famous temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The sanctum's wooden doors are carved with images of Ashtavinayaka, and the inner roof is plated with gold. The Ganesha idol here is known as Navsacha Ganpati — the wish-fulfilling Ganesha. It is said that no sincere prayer offered here goes unanswered.

2. Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple, Pune, Maharashtra

The Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple was built by a sweet maker named Dagdusheth Halwai in the late 19th century. The idol stands 2.2 metres tall and 1 metre wide, adorned with nearly 40 kilograms of gold. It is one of the richest and most elaborately decorated Ganesha temples in the country. During Ganesh Chaturthi, the temple draws lakhs of devotees and is one of the grandest celebrations in Maharashtra. The temple's energy, especially on Sankashti Chaturthi, is said to be extraordinarily powerful.

3. Karpaga Vinayakar Temple, Pillayarpatti, Tamil Nadu

A jewel of Tamil Nadu's spiritual heritage, the Karpaga Vinayakar Temple in Pillayarpatti is one of the most important Ganesha temples in South India. The temple is believed to be more than 1,600 years old, and its idol of Lord Ganesha is carved out of a single stone. The presiding deity is Karpaga Vinayakar — the wish-fulfilling Ganesha — with two arms and a trunk that curls towards the right, which is considered especially auspicious. Sankata Hara Chaturthi (Sankashti Chaturthi) is celebrated every month here with great devotion, making it especially relevant for Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi observances.

4. Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh

Located in the small village of Kanipakam in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, this ancient temple was established in the early 11th century CE by the Chola king Kulothunga Chola I, and later enhanced by the Vijayanagara emperors. What makes this temple truly mysterious is its self-manifested idol — a Swayambhu Ganesha that emerged from a sacred well. Even more astonishing is the widespread belief among devotees that the idol of Lord Ganesha is gradually growing in size — a silver kavacham offered nearly 50 years ago no longer fits the deity due to its apparent expansion, a phenomenon no scientific explanation has accounted for. A visit to Kanipakam is considered one of the most powerful blessings a devotee can receive.

5. Ucchi Pillayar Temple (Rockfort Ganesha), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

Dramatically perched atop the famous Rockfort hill in Trichy, the Ucchi Pillayar Temple sits at a height of approximately 273 feet, requiring about 400 steps to reach. The temple carries a legendary connection — it is believed that Lord Ganesha himself placed the idol of Lord Ranganatha at this very location when Vibhishana, Ravana's brother, left it in his care while bathing in the river Kaveri. The panoramic view of Trichy from the top of the Rockfort, combined with the darshan of Lord Ganesha at the summit, makes this one of the most spiritually elevating temple experiences in South India. This temple is particularly special for Tamil Nadu devotees observing Sankata Hara Chaturthi.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the date for Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi this month (2026)?
Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi 2026 falls on Tuesday, 5 May 2026. This year it coincides with Angaraki Chaturthi, making it doubly auspicious.

Q: What is the moonrise time for Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi vrat in my city?
The general moonrise time is approximately 10:22 PM on 5 May 2026, based on standard Indian timings. However, moonrise varies by city — please add or subtract 15–20 minutes based on your location, or refer to your city's Panchang for the exact Chandrodaya time.

Q: What is the significance and story of the Ekadanta form of Ganesha?
Ekadanta — the One-Tusked Ganesha — is the form born from a legendary encounter between Lord Ganesha and Parashurama (the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu and devoted disciple of Lord Shiva). When Parashurama hurled Shiva's divine axe at Ganesha during a conflict at the gates of Kailash, Ganesha chose not to dodge it out of reverence for his father. The axe severed his left tusk, and from that moment he was known as Ekadanta. This form represents sacrifice, patience, and the power of filial devotion.

Q: Can women observe Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi vrat?
Yes, absolutely. Women observe this vrat with great devotion. It is believed to bring well-being to the family, health to children, and peace and harmony to the household.

Q: What is the difference between Ganesha Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturthi? Ganesha Chaturthi is the birth festival of Lord Ganesha, observed once a year in the Bhadrapada month. Sankashti Chaturthi is a monthly vrat observed every Krishna Paksha Chaturthi throughout the year, with each month dedicated to a different form of Ganesha.

Closing Blessing

Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi is more than a festival — it is a monthly invitation to pause, fast, pray, and reconnect with the divine energy of Lord Ganesha. In the one-tusked form of Ekadanta, we see not just a god but a profound teacher — one who chose sacrifice over conflict, and devotion over pride.

May this Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi bring the blessings of Shree Ganesha into your home and heart. May all obstacles be removed. May wisdom guide your path.

|| Om Ekadantaya Namah ||