For devotees of Lord Ganesha, the day of fasting on Sankashti Chaturthi is one of the most important ones and the fasting and prayer is observed with great devotion and love for Lord Ganesha. People who believe in Lord Ganesha and his obstacle removing powers pray to him on the day of Sankashti Chaturthi to make sure their life is safe, without any problems, and obstacles of their life forget their way.
Sankashti Chaturthi date and timings for Sankashti Chaturthi
Sankashti Chaturthi is observed on the 4th day of Krishna paksha every month, and each month has a different name. In March, it is observed as Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi. And in 2025, Sankashti Chaturthi will be celebrated on Monday, March 17.
Exact timings and Muhurat
According to Drik Panchang, “Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi on Monday, March 17, 2025
Krishna Dashami Moonrise on Sankashti Day – 09:18 PM
Chaturthi Tithi Begins – 07:33 PM on Mar 17, 2025
Chaturthi Tithi Ends – 10:09 PM on Mar 18, 2025”
And so, the Chaturthi Tithi starts in the evening of March 17 and ends on March 18. And thus, while some people will keep a fast on Monday, others will keep on Tuesday, after consulting their priests or Gurus.
Rituals of Sankashti Chaturthi
Sankashti Chaturthi is a day of fasting, prayer, and devotion, and the rituals are not much different from other fasts and days in the Hindu calendar.
If you are starting the fast on Monday or Tuesday, make sure to wake up early and take a shower to cleanse yourself. Then go to your home temple, clean it nicely, and change the cloth where you keep the idol of Lord Ganesha.
Then set up an altar or puja space for Lord Ganesha, and decorate it with flowers, or Rangoli, or even with new clothes for Lord Ganesha.
And as the fast begins early in the morning, it is important to only drink water or have a few fruits. On the day of fasting, keep your nature calm and composed, and refrain from saying any ill words towards others.
As fasting is believed to purify the body and soul and bring the devotee closer to Lord Ganesha, make sure to stay true to yourself and to your devotion, and ask for Lord Ganesha’s blessings to remove all obstacles and challenges from your life, and also help you have the strength to overcome the obstacles if and when any.
The puja
On the day of Sankashti Chaturthi, the puja is done after moonrise, and after offering water to the Moon and to Lord Ganesha.
People start the evening puja by saying the Vrat Katha, the story of King Mayurdhwaj, his minister Dharampal, and Dharampal’s daughter-in-law’s devotion to Lord Ganesha.
People then chant mantras for Lord Ganesha, especially the ‘Om Gan Ganpataye Namah’ and ask Lord Ganesha to enter their homes and bless them with a problem-free life and the strength to overcome the obstacles.
People offer Lord Ganesha ‘modaks’, motichoor laddoo, or anything sweet along with fruits, and then open their fast with the Prasad.
Significance of Sankashti Chaturthi
Sankashti Chaturthi is widely understood as ‘Sankat – Problem, Ashti- To cut or remove’, and thus people pray to Lord Ganesha to cut off any problems and hurdles from their life.
It is said that people who fast and devote themselves to Lord Ganesha on this day are blessed with prosperity, good health, and success.