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Sankashti Chaturthi falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi every month. The main puja is performed during Pradosh Kaal (evening twilight). The fast is broken only after moonrise sighting.
On this sacred Sankashti Chaturthi, I undertake this vrat and worship of Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles, for the destruction of difficulties, spiritual merit, and divine grace.
Wake before sunrise, take a purifying bath. Resolve to observe the Sankashti Chaturthi vrat. The fast begins at sunrise — consume only water and fruits if needed.
Place the Ganesha idol or image on a clean altar. Offer kumkum, akshat, and a few durva blades. Light incense and a diya. This is a brief morning worship before the main evening puja.
Spend the day in devotion. Read Ganesha Purana or Ganesha Atharva Shirsha. Chant the Ganesh Beej mantra on a mala (rosary). Maintain a sattvic and pious mindset throughout the day.
Take a fresh bath in the evening. Sit before the altar and take the formal sankalpa by holding water and akshat in the right palm, stating the tithi, purpose, and deity.
Perform the five-fold worship: Gandha (red sandalwood paste), Pushpa (red flowers and 21 durva blades offered one by one), Dhupa (incense), Dipa (ghee lamp), and Naivedya (modak). Each durva blade is offered with "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah".
Ganesha Beej Mantra
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Chant the Ganesh Gayatri mantra 108 times using a rudraksha or crystal mala. Follow with the Vakratunda Mahakaya shloka 11 times. Maintain focus on Ganesha's form during the japa.
Ganesha Gayatri Mantra
ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि। तन्नो दन्ती प्रचोदयात्॥
Read or listen to the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha. Each month has a different katha associated with a specific Ganesha form. The katha narrates how Ganesha removed the obstacles of devotees.
Perform the aarti of Lord Ganesha with camphor and ghee lamp. Sing "Sukhkarta Dukhharta" or "Jai Ganesh Deva". Ring the bell and offer the flame to all family members.
Wait for moonrise. Once the moon is visible, offer arghya (water offering) to the moon with akshat, flowers, and kumkum. Chant "Om Somaya Namah" while offering arghya. Sight the moon and bow.
After sighting the moon and offering arghya, break the fast by consuming modak prasad first, followed by other sattvic food. Share the prasad with family members.
Ganesha Beej Mantra
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
oṃ gaṃ gaṇapataye namaḥ
Om, salutations to Lord Ganapati (Ganesha), the lord of all beings.
108x Japa CountGanesha Gayatri Mantra
ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि। तन्नो दन्ती प्रचोदयात्॥
oṃ ekadantāya vidmahe vakratuṇḍāya dhīmahi | tanno dantī pracodayāt ||
Om, we meditate upon the single-tusked one, we contemplate the curved-trunk one. May the tusked lord inspire and illuminate us.
108x Japa CountVakratunda Mahakaya Shloka
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
vakratuṇḍa mahākāya sūryakoṭi samaprabha | nirvighnaṃ kuru me deva sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā ||
O Lord with curved trunk and mighty body, whose radiance equals a crore suns — make all my endeavours free of obstacles, always.
11x Japa CountOffer modak (steamed or fried sweet dumplings), laddoo, jaggery, coconut pieces, and seasonal fruits. Modak is the foremost naivedya for Ganesha — no Ganesha puja is complete without it.
Observing Sankashti Chaturthi vrat every month for a year bestows the grace of Ganesha and removes all obstacles from life. It grants wisdom, prosperity, and success in all undertakings. The Narada Purana states that this vrat fulfils all desires and the devotee never faces insurmountable difficulties.