Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the 4th day after the full Moon or Purnima. In the month of September the festival is on 22nd. This auspicious day is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. If Chaturthi is on a Tuesday, then it is known as "Angaraki Chaturthi". Further Sankashti Chaturthi falls in Krishna Paksha and Angarika Chaturthi falls in Shukla Paksha.
Lord Ganesha
Ganesha is the Lord of intelligence. The distinguishing feature of Lord Ganesha is his elephant head. He is “god of beginnings” and for this reason he is honoured while beginning any ritual or auspicious ceremony. Mudgala Purana, Ganesha Purana and Ganapati Atharvashirsha are the principal scriptures in his dedication.
Click here to download wallpapers of Lord Ganesha - Wallpapers Of Lord Ganesha
Fasting on Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi
Many devotees of Lord Ganesha observe fast on this day from morning till evening. It is believed that keeping this fast helps in reducing problems and complications of life as Lord Ganesha is also known as "Vighnaharta" (Lord of Obstacles). The fast starts with the lighting of Lamp or aarti in the early morning and ends after the moonrise. Those who observe complete fast take only water the entire day but those who observe partial fast can eat fruits, nuts, curd rice or Sabudana Khichdi (sweet dish prepared from Sago).
Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi Puja
Sankashti Puja is performed in the evening after witnessing the Moon. If Moon is not visible then Puja is done according to the Moonrise time as mentioned in the Panchang. Devotees decorate the idol of Lord Ganesha with Durva grass and flowers. Banana, Coconut and Modak are offered to him and later distributed as Prasad. After this puja ends, Moon is worshipped with sprinkling of water, sandalwood paste, rice and flowers.
Following Mantras are chanted on Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi:
- Ganesha Ashtottara
- Sankashtnashana sthothra
- Vakratunda mahakaya
- Any other Mantra of Lord Ganesha can also be chanted
This Puja is known to bless individuals with prosperity, happiness and material progress. Meditating on this day is believed to be very lucky. Married couples observe fast and perform Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi Puja to get blessings for their expected future generation or children.
Legend behind Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi
The legend of Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi is associated with Lord Indra, King Shursen and sage Brushundi. According to the legend , once God Indra’s plane was going above the kingdom of King Shursen on his return from sage Brushundi. During that time, a man happened to see the Vahana (plane) and with just that one look, the plane landed. This was because the man was a sinner. King Shursen was surprised to see the brightness of the plane and therefore, went near it. He was pleased to see Lord Indra and asked him the reason as to why he had landed the plane. Indra told him all what had happened. The King then asked Indra about how to start the plane again and on this Lord Indra told him that, yesterday was Chaturthi and only a person who has fasted on that day can start the plane by his/her virtue. Unfortunately, nobody in the kingdom had observed the fast the previous day (on Chaturthi).
At the same moment, King’s soldier saw the dead body of a woman being taken away by Ganesh-Duta. The soldier asked him the reason for taking a sinner woman to Ganesha Loka. To this the Ganesh-Duta replied that the woman had kept Chaturthi fast though unknowingly. So she deserves Ganesha Loka as anyone who observes this fast at least once in a lifetime, directly goes to Ganesha Loka. Hearing this the soldiers asked Ganesha-Duta for the woman’s body so that the plane could be started but Ganesha-Duta denied the request. Suddenly, the wind from the woman’s body diffused with the normal air present around Lord Indra’s plane and with the virtue of that the plane started again. This story clearly tells the importance and significance of Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi vrat.
May this Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi bring all the happiness and prosperity.
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