What Is Sankashti Chaturthi? Quick Answer
Sankashti Chaturthi is the monthly fast for Lord Ganesha on the Chaturthi (4th tithi) of Krishna Paksha — the day after Purnima's fortnight begins. Sankashti means "deliverance from troubles". Devotees fast from sunrise and break the fast only after moonrise, after offering arghya to the moon, so the date is fixed by the Chaturthi that prevails at moonrise. When it falls on a Tuesday it is called Angarki Chaturthi, considered especially powerful — in 2027 this is on 22 June. The Magha Sankashti is Sakat Chauth (25 January 2027), and the Kartik one coincides with Karwa Chauth (18 October 2027).
Sankashti Chaturthi 2027 (New Delhi)
| Date | Day | Name | Moonrise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Jan | Mon | Sakat Chauth (Lambodara) | 9:16 PM |
| 24 Feb | Wed | Dwijapriya | 10:03 PM |
| 25 Mar | Thu | Bhalachandra | 9:49 PM |
| 24 Apr | Sat | Vikata | 10:32 PM |
| 23 May | Sun | Ekadanta | 10:03 PM |
| 22 Jun | Tue | Krishnapingala — Angarki | 9:57 PM |
| 22 Jul | Thu | Gajanana | 9:27 PM |
| 20 Aug | Fri | Heramba | 8:27 PM |
| 19 Sep | Sun | Vighnaraja | 8:08 PM |
| 18 Oct | Mon | Vakratunda (Karwa Chauth) | 7:35 PM |
| 17 Nov | Wed | Ganadhipa | 8:26 PM |
| 16 Dec | Thu | Akhuratha | 8:30 PM |
Sankashti vs Vinayaka Chaturthi
| Point | Sankashti | Vinayaka (Vinayaki) |
|---|---|---|
| Paksha | Krishna | Shukla |
| Fast broken | After moonrise and arghya | During the day; moon sighting avoided |
| Main one | Sakat Chauth, Angarki | Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapada) |
Puja Vidhi
- 1Bathe, take a sankalp and fast (phalahar or nirjala).
- 2In the evening worship Ganesha with durva (21 blades), modak/laddoo, red flowers and sindoor.
- 3Read the Sankashti vrat katha of that month.
- 4After moonrise offer arghya with milk-water, sandalwood and akshat: "Gaganarnava-manikya chandra dakshayani-pate, grihanarghyam maya dattam Ganesha-pratirupaka."
- 5Break the fast with Ganesha's prasad.
If the Moon Isn't Visible
After the listed moonrise time, offer arghya facing east. Don't break the fast before moonrise.
Moon Arghya on Sankashti
At moonrise, face east and offer water mixed with a little milk, akshat, roli and white flowers while chanting "Om Som Somaya Namah". Show a lamp, bow to the Moon and Lord Ganesha, then break the fast with til laddoo or modak. If clouds hide the Moon, offer arghya at the moonrise time listed in your city's Panchang.
The fast honours Ganesha as the first-worshipped deity — he won that honour by circling his parents, Shiva and Parvati, declaring them his whole world, while Kartikeya raced around the Earth.
Summary
Sankashti Chaturthi is Ganesha's Krishna-paksha Chaturthi fast, broken after moonrise and arghya. Twelve fall in 2027, with Angarki on 22 June. Check your city's moonrise in the Panchang.
