According to the Hindu calendar, August 31, 2026, marks a deeply auspicious day as multiple significant fasting rituals and calendar dates converge. This Monday falls during the third lunar day, or Tritiya, of the waning phase in the month of Bhadrapada, which will transition into Chaturthi later in the morning. On this special occasion, devotees will observe both the Kajari Teej fast and the Sankashti Sri Ganesha Chaturthi fast simultaneously. Given the religious importance of the day's astrological alignments, understanding the proper schedule of auspicious windows and prohibited periods is essential for planning daily worship and activities.
Detailed Panchang for August 31, 2026
Calculations show that the Tritiya tithi of the Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha will remain active until 8:52 AM on August 31, 2026, after which the Chaturthi tithi will commence. Additionally, the Purva Revati constellation will persist until 3:24 AM late in the night on August 31, 2026. Special calendar notes for August 29, 2026, indicate the presence of Panchak, while the observance of Sankashti Sri Ganesha Chaturthi and Kajari Teej falls squarely on this Monday, offering immense spiritual benefits to those keeping the fasts.
Auspicious Timings on August 31, 2026
Several favorable time slots are available throughout the day for undertaking religious ceremonies and important tasks. The Brahm Muhurta is scheduled from 04:51 AM to 05:37 AM, and the morning twilight, or Pratah Sandhya, spans from 05:14 AM to 06:23 AM. During the daytime, the Abhijit Muhurta runs from 12:14 PM to 01:04 PM, while the Vijay Muhurta is set between 02:44 PM and 03:34 PM. Furthermore, the Godhuli Muhurta falls from 06:54 PM to 07:17 PM and the evening twilight, or Sayan Sandhya, lasts from 06:54 PM to 08:03 PM, providing ideal periods for evening prayers.
Rahukal Timings Across Major Cities
In Vedic astrology, Rahukal is considered an inauspicious phase during which starting new ventures or auspicious tasks is strictly avoided. On August 31, 2026, the exact timings for Rahukal vary across major urban centers. In Delhi, it spans from 07:34 AM to 09:10 AM, in Mumbai from 07:57 AM to 09:31 AM, and in Chandigarh from 07:35 AM to 09:11 AM. Similarly, the Rahukal window is recorded from 07:21 AM to 08:56 AM in Lucknow, from 07:36 AM to 09:11 AM in Bhopal, from 06:53 AM to 08:28 AM in Kolkata, from 07:56 AM to 09:30 AM in Ahmedabad, and from 07:31 AM to 09:03 AM in Chennai.
Significance and Rules of Sankashti Sri Ganesha Chaturthi Vrat
The Sankashti Sri Ganesha Chaturthi fast is traditionally observed on the Chaturthi tithi of the dark fortnight in every Hindu month. Because this date falls on a Monday, it holds heightened devotion among followers. Belief dictates that keeping this fast and worshipping Lord Ganesha eliminates all obstacles and hardships from a devotee's life. The fast is generally kept from morning until the moon rises in the evening. Since the Tritiya tithi concludes at 8:52 AM on Monday morning and the subsequent Chaturthi tithi extends until 7:42 AM on Tuesday morning, moonrise during the Chaturthi tithi occurs on Monday itself. Because the fast is broken only after offering arghya to the moon, the Sankashti Sri Ganesha Chaturthi observance is properly kept on Monday. For reference, moonrise on this Monday is slated for 8:25 PM. Those who are unable to observe the physical fast can still reap abundant spiritual rewards by chanting these sacred mantras of Lord Ganesha to attain success and fulfill their desires.
