Every month, on the Chaturthi tithi of Krishna Paksha, devotees observe a fast for Lord Ganesha known as Sankashti Chaturthi, but curiously, this vrat carries a different name each month. According to belief, observing this fast and worshipping Ganesha with proper rituals helps remove even the biggest troubles from a person's life, along with offering spiritual benefits. So why does the name of this recurring Chaturthi keep changing every month? Here is what lies behind it.
What Exactly Is Sankashti Chaturthi
Sankashti Chaturthi is a monthly fast dedicated to Lord Ganesha, observed on the Chaturthi tithi of Krishna Paksha every month. It is believed that worshipping Ganesha and observing this fast with full devotion and correct rituals on this day removes hardships from one's life, while also bringing blessings of happiness, prosperity and wisdom to the household.
What Does The Word Sankashti Actually Mean
The word Sankashti has its roots in Sanskrit. Sankat means difficulty or trouble, while Chaturthi refers to the fourth day of the lunar month. This is why the tithi is regarded as a special and auspicious occasion, one on which worshipping Lord Ganesha is believed to remove obstacles from one's life on its own.
Why Does The Name Change Every Month
This vrat falls on the same tithi every month, the Chaturthi of Krishna Paksha, yet its name is different each time. The reason lies in the various forms of Lord Ganesha described in religious texts, which mention several divine forms of Ganpati. Each month's Sankashti Chaturthi is named after one of these specific forms.
What Scriptures Say About It
According to religious belief, texts such as the Bhavishya Purana and the Narsingh Purana describe the significance of every Sankashti Chaturthi that occurs through the year. Including the one that falls during Adhik Maas, there are a total of 13 Sankashti Chaturthis, each associated with a distinct form of Bappa. The changing names are not merely a matter of tradition, they also serve as a reminder of Lord Ganesha's different forms and their special qualities.
Names Of Sankashti Chaturthi Through The Year
- Chaitra: Vikat Sankashti Chaturthi
- Vaishakh: Ekadant Sankashti Chaturthi
- Jyeshtha: Krishna Pingala Sankashti Chaturthi
- Ashadh: Gajanan Sankashti Chaturthi
- Shravan: Herambha Sankashti Chaturthi
- Bhadrapad: Vighnaraj Sankashti Chaturthi
- Ashwin: Vakratunda Sankashti Chaturthi
- Kartik: Ganadhipa Sankashti Chaturthi
- Margashirsha: Akhurath Sankashti Chaturthi
- Paush: Lambodar Sankashti Chaturthi
- Magh: Dwijapriya Sankashti Chaturthi
- Phalgun: Balchandra Sankashti Chaturthi
- Adhik Maas: Vibhuvan Sankashti Chaturthi
The information here is based on religious beliefs and popular faith, and it carries no scientific evidence or proof.
