📖 What is Sankashti Chaturthi?
Sankashti Chaturthi is a powerful monthly vrat dedicated to Lord Ganesha, observed on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi of every lunar month.
The word Sankashti means deliverance from difficulties, and devotees believe that sincere fasting on this day removes:
- Obstacles in life
- Mental stress and fear
- Career, marriage, and financial delays
The vrat is completed only after Moonrise (Chandrodaya).
🕉️ Importance of Sankashti Chaturthi
- Each month, Lord Ganesha is worshipped in a different form
- Each form blesses devotees with a specific spiritual benefit
- Most important Sankashti occurs in Magha / Pausha month (Sakat Chauth)
If Sankashti Chaturthi falls on Tuesday, it is known as Angarki Sankashti, considered extremely auspicious.
📅 2026 Sankashti Chaturthi Dates (Complete List)
| Month | Date & Day | Sankashti Name | Hindu Month | Moonrise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Jan 6, Tuesday | Lambodara (Sakat Chauth) | Magha | 08:54 PM |
| February | Feb 5, Thursday | Dwijapriya | Phalguna | 09:35 PM |
| March | Mar 6, Friday | Bhalachandra | Chaitra | 09:14 PM |
| April | Apr 5, Sunday | Vikata | Vaishakha | 09:54 PM |
| May | May 5, Tuesday | Ekadanta | Jyeshtha | 10:30 PM |
| June | Jun 3, Wednesday | Vibhuvana | Jyeshtha | 09:59 PM |
| July | Jul 3, Friday | Krishnapingala | Ashadha | 09:48 PM |
| August | Aug 2, Sunday | Gajanana | Shravana | 09:20 PM |
| August | Aug 31, Monday | Heramba | Bhadrapada | 08:25 PM |
| September | Sep 29, Tuesday | Vighnaraja | Ashwin | 07:39 PM |
| October | Oct 29, Thursday | Vakratunda | Kartika | 08:11 PM |
| November | Nov 27, Friday | Ganadhipa | Margashirsha | 08:12 PM |
| December | Dec 26, Saturday | Akhuratha | Pausha | 08:13 PM |
📝 All timings are based on Delhi, India. Moonrise-based fasting day may vary by location.
🪔 Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Vidhi (Brief)
🌅 Morning
- Early bath
- Sankalp for obstacle removal
- Light diya before Lord Ganesha
🐘 Ganesha Puja
- Offer durva grass, modak, red flowers
- Chant ॐ गण गणपतये नमः (108 times)
🌕 Moonrise
- View moon after rise
- Offer water (Arghya)
- Break fast with satvik food
🍽️ Sankashti Fasting Rules
Allowed Food
- Fruits
- Sabudana
- Potato
- Peanuts
Avoid
- Grains
- Salt (optional)
- Alcohol & non-veg
📜 Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha (Summary)
According to Puranic tradition, Lord Ganesha promised that devotees observing Sankashti Chaturthi with faith would be freed from:
- Sankat (crisis)
- Delays
- Fear and confusion
This is why Sankashti is also called Sankatahara Chaturthi.
🌿 Regional Names
- Sakat Chauth – North India (Magha month)
- Sankatahara Chaturthi – Tamil Nadu
- Sankashti Vrat – Maharashtra & Western India
📅 Calendar-Style Table Entry
| Observance | Frequency | Deity |
|---|---|---|
| Sankashti Chaturthi | Monthly | Lord Ganesha |
❓ Short FAQ – 2026 Sankashti Chaturthi
Q1. What is Sankashti Chaturthi?
A monthly vrat for Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles.
Q2. When is the fast broken?
After moonrise.
Q3. Which Sankashti is most important?
Magha Sankashti (Sakat Chauth).
Q4. What is Angarki Sankashti?
When Sankashti falls on Tuesday.
Q5. Can women observe this vrat?
Yes, it is highly beneficial for all.
Each lunar month in Hindu calendar has two Chaturthi Tithis. The one after Purnimasi or full moon during Krishna Paksha is known as Sankashti Chaturthi and the one after Amavasya or new moon during Shukla Paksha is known as Ganesha Chaturthi.
Although Sankashti Chaturthi fasting is done every month but the most significant Sankashti Chaturthi falls in month of Magha according to Purnimanta School and in month of Paush according to Amanta School.
If Sankashti Chaturthi falls on Tuesday it is called Angarki Chaturthi and it is considered highly auspicious. Sankashti Chaturthi fast is mostly observed in Western and Southern India especially in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat
Devotees of Lord Ganesha keep fast from sunrise to moonrise on Sankashti Chaturthi. Sankashti means deliverance during troubled times. Lord Ganesha, the supreme lord of intelligence, symbolizes the remover of all obstacles. Hence it is believed that one can get rid of all obstacles by observing this fast.
The fast is supposed to be strict and only fruit, roots (the part of a plant which is below ground) and vegetable products are supposed to be consumed. The staple Indian diet on Sankashti Chaturthi includes Sabudana Khichadi, potato and peanuts. Devotees break the fast at night after sighting of the moon.
In North India Sankashti Chaturthi during Magha month is known as Sakat Chauth. Also Vinayaka Chaturthi during Bhadrapada month is known as Ganesha Chaturthi. Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated by Hindus all over the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha.
Sankashti Chaturthi is also known as Ganesh Sankatahara or Sankatahara Chaturthi among Tamil Hindus.
Location based Sankashti Chaturthi Days
It is important to understand that fasting day for Sankashti Chaturthi might differ for two cities even if those cities are within same Indian state. Fasting for Sankashti Chaturthi depends on moonrise and it is observed on the day when there is moonrise while Chaturthi Tithi is prevailing. Hence Sankashti Chaturthi fasting might be observed on Tritiya Tithi i.e. one day before Chaturthi Tithi.
As moonrise time is different for all cities it is important to refer Hindu calendar like this website which lists location based Sankashti Chaturthi days. As generating location based dates are time consuming most sources ignore this fact and publish single list for all Indian cities.
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