Bhalchandra Sankashti Chaturthi : Vrat Vidhi and Puja Timings
Lord Ganesha devotees keep a fast on the fourth day of every lunar fortnight. The Chaturthi Tithi that falls during Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon) is called Vinakaya Chaturthi. In contrast, the one which falls during Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the Moon) is called Sankashti Chaturthi. Today, devotees shall celebrate Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi and this auspicious day falls in the month of Chaitra (according to the Purnimant calendar) or Phalguna (as per the Amanta calendar).
What does Sankashti mean?
Sankashti means moksha from troubles or liberation from problems. People observe this Vrat to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings for a life free of hurdles and obstacles.
Significance of Sankashti Chaturthi
The fourth day is considered auspicious because on the Chaturthi Tithi in the month of Bhadrapada, Lord Ganesha first came into being. Nonetheless, all the Chaturthi Tithis are considered equally important.
What do people do on Chaturthi Tithi and how to observe a Vrat?
People keep a fast on Chaturthi Tithi from sunrise to moonrise. Consumption of rice, wheat and pulses is strictly prohibited. Devotees can, however, have vrat recipes or fruits.
Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Vidhi
Rise early, take a bath and wear fresh clothes.
Do dhyana (meditation) with closed eyes and folded hands to offer your prayers. And then invoke Lord Ganesha to accept your humble offerings.
Keep a fast from sunrise.
Do Nama Japa (chanting of the name of Lord Ganesha).
In the evening, before performing the puja, take a bath and wear clean clothes. Do dhyana and invoke the Almighty once again.
Light an oil lamp and chant the Ganesha mantras to perform the rituals.
Offer a fresh piece of cloth, Janeyu, akshat, kumkuma, Chandan, haldi, flowers, Durva grass, dhoop and incense sticks. The red hibiscus flowers are Lord Ganesha’s favourite. You may offer some of these to him.
Offer the Naivedhya consisting of Modaks, Ganesha’s favourite food preparation, bananas and a raw coconut with its husk.
Then offer the tamboolam (consisting of paan, supari and currency coins). Subsequently, read the Sankashti vrata katha. Conclude the puja by singing the Aarti and break the fast after sighting the Moon.
Note down the timings for today’s puja.
Chaturthi Tithi begins at 11:58 AM on March 12 and ends at 8:50 AM on March 13.
Moonrise timings – 9:31 PM
