Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat
संकष्टी चतुर्थी व्रत
Sankashti Chaturthi (संकष्टी चतुर्थी) is a monthly fast for Lord Ganesha, kept on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the waning moon (Krishna Paksha). "Sankashti" means deliverance from troubles, and this vrat is believed to remove obstacles, debts and difficulties. The fast is broken only after sighting the moon and offering it arghya. The Sankashti falling on a Tuesday (Angarki) is the most powerful of all.
Fasting Rules & Vidhi
Wake early, bathe, and take a sankalp to keep the fast for Lord Ganesha.
Keep a day-long fast — phalahar (fruits, milk, sabudana) is allowed; no grains.
Worship Ganesha in the evening: offer durva grass (21 blades), red flowers, modak and ladoo, and light a lamp.
Chant "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" 108 times, recite the Ganesh Chalisa and the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha.
Wait for moonrise; offer arghya (water) to the moon, then to Ganesha, and only then break the fast.
Break the fast with the modak/ladoo prasad after the moon arghya.
Significance & Story
Chaturthi is sacred to Ganesha, the remover of obstacles (Vighnaharta). The Krishna Paksha Chaturthi each month is observed as Sankashti to be freed from sankat (troubles) — debts, illness, legal and family problems. The moon is worshipped because Ganesha blessed the moon after cursing it, making moonrise the auspicious moment to break the fast. Angarki Chaturthi (Sankashti on a Tuesday) is said to fulfil all wishes.
Mantras for Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat
Ganesh Chalisa
जय गणपति सदगुण सदन, कविवर बदन कृपाल । विघ्न हरण मंगल करण, जय जय गिरिजालाल ॥