- By Kashish Rai
- Fri, 16 May 2025 12:22 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sankashti Chaturthi May 2025: Sankashti Chaturthi or Sankatahara Chaturthi is a sacred day celebrated during every lunar month of the Hindu calendar in honour of Lord Ganesha. It falls on the fourth day during Krishna Paksha, the dark fortnight that comes after the full moon (Purnima). The devotees worship Ganesha by fasting on this day, praying to him to vanquish hurdles and usher in peace. The fast is then broken at night after observing the moon and praying to Ganesha. The ritual is believed to ensure prosperity, wisdom and alleviation of troubles. The upcoming Sankashti Chatuthi falls on 16th May 2025, and this will be Ekdanta Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat.
Check out all the significant details associated with this sacred day below:
Sankashti Chaturthi May 2025: Date And Time
- Sankashti Chaturthi May 2025 Date: 16th May 2025, Friday
- Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 04:02 AM, May 16
- Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 05:13 AM, May 17
Sankashti Chaturthi May 2025: Moonrise Timings
The Moonrise time on Ekdanta Sankashti Chaturthi is anticipated to be around 10:39 PM according to the Panchang.
Sankashti Chaturthi May 2025: Significance
Worshipping on Sankashti Chaturthi with true devotion grants wishes and relief from the troubles of life, as Lord Ganesha is also referred to as the remover of obstacles and the supreme god of wisdom. On this day, prior to moonrise, worshipers chant the Ganapati Atharvasheersha to invoke his blessings. Every month, Ganesha is worshipped under a special name and placed in a new peeta (seat) and the 'Sankashta Ganapathi Pooja' is conducted. The Bhavishya Purana and Narasimha Purana mention the significance of Sankashti Chaturthi, that anyone who keeps a fast on this day comes under the protection of Lord Ganesha.
The Shiva Purana enumerates that fasting and praying to Ganesha with genuine devotion on Sankashti Chaturthi yields knowledge, good health, and prosperity. The vrat (fast) has its origins in the times of the Mahabharata, when Lord Krishna explained its importance to Yudhishthira, the first among the Pandavas. Apart from overcoming problems, several women keep this fast for the blessings of safe and healthy delivery, which makes the day religiously significant and deeply entrenched in tradition.
The sacred fast of Sankashti Chaturthi is dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha. (Image Source: Canva)
Sankashti Chaturthi May 2025: Rituals
According to the Brahmavaivarta Purana, those who observe the Sankashti Chaturthi vrat vidhi and worship Vighnaharta Ganesha become intelligent and are free of all impediments. The rituals should be performed by the devotees during the Godhuli muhurat or Abhijeet muhurat, both of which are highly auspicious. The ritual begins with a sacred bath by the devotees.
Light a lamp of oil or ghee and keep it to the right side of Lord Ganesha's idol in their home temple. They present traditional offerings like durva grass, flowers, kalava, raw rice, chandan (sandalwood paste), haldi (turmeric), tilak and incense sticks to the god. Sweets like modaks or laddoos, coconut, paan and Dakshina are also presented. Following the offerings, the devotees read the Sankashti Chaturthi vrat katha, which speaks about the meaning of this sacred day.
The rituals are concluded with devotees singing the Ganesha Aarti and keeping a phalahar (fruit-only) or nirjala (waterless) fast during the day. They break the fast after the moonrise by offering water to the moon and then having prasad, fruits or light food.
(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)