Sankashti Chaturthi is a significant Hindu festival celebrated on the fourth day after the full moon, also known as Purnima, each month. This auspicious day is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and prosperity.

The word "Sankashti" is derived from the Sanskrit language, where "Sankashti" means "deliverance during difficult times," and "Chaturthi" refers to the fourth day. This festival holds great importance in Hindu culture and is observed with devotion and enthusiasm by millions of devotees across India and other parts of the world.

Rituals associated with Sankashti Chaturthi begin a day prior to the main day, during the evening hours. Devotees clean their homes and decorate the altar with flowers and rangoli, vibrant patterns made with colored powders. On the day of the festival, devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise, abstaining from consuming food and water throughout the day.

Sankashti Chaturthi September 2023 Date: September 3, Sunday.

Tithi Time: September 02, 8:49 pm - September 03, 6:24 pm.

Chandrodaya/Moonrise Time of major Indian cities to Break Upvas/Fast:

New Delhi: 08:57 PM

Jaipur, Rajasthan: 09:04 PM

Ahmedabad, Gujarat: 09:22 PM

Patna, Bihar: 08:28 PM

Mumbai, Maharashtra: 09:25 PM

Bengaluru, Karnataka: 09:11 PM

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: 09:02 PM

Raipur, Chhattisgarh: 08:46 PM

Hyderabad, Telangana: 09:03 PM

Chennai, Tamil Nadu: 09:00 PM

Kolkata, West Bengal: 08:17 PM

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: 08:43 PM

Chandigarh: 08:56 PM

Bhubaneswar, Odisha: 08:30 PM

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: 08:54 PM

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: 08:51 PM

Ranchi, Jharkhand: 08:29 PM

Pune, Maharashtra: 09:21 PM

Nagpur, Maharashtra: 08:57 PM

Moonrise time of Maharashtra cities for breaking fast:

Mumbai: 09:25 PM

Pune: 09:21 PM

Nagpur: 08:57 PM

Thane: 09:24 PM

Nashik: 09:20 PM

Kalyan: 09:23 PM

Aurangabad: 09:14 PM

Solapur: 09:13 PM

Kolhapur: 09:21 PM

Ulhasnagar: 09:23 PM

Malegaon: 09:16 PM

Moonrise time of Karnataka cities for breaking fast:

Bengaluru: 09:11 PM

Hubli: 09:19 PM

Mysore: 09:15 PM

Gulbarga: 09:10 PM

Mangalore: 09:22 PM

Belgaum: 09:21 PM

Davangere: 09:16 PM

Bellary: 09:12 PM

Bijapur: 09:15 PM

Shimoga: 09:18 PM

In the evening, devotees gather in temples or their homes for the worship of Lord Ganesha. A clay idol or picture of Lord Ganesha is placed on the altar, adorned with flowers, fruits, and traditional sweets. The main puja (ritual worship) begins with the chanting of sacred hymns and the recitation of prayers dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Devotees offer modak (a sweet dumpling considered Lord Ganesha's favorite), coconut, jaggery, and other traditional sweets as prasadam (blessed food) to the deity.

Following the puja, the devotees perform the moon-sighting ritual known as "moon gazing" or "chandra darshan." This ritual involves looking at the moon through a sieve or the gaps between fingers, followed by reciting special prayers and singing devotional songs dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is believed that observing the moon during Sankashti Chaturthi brings good luck and fulfills one's wishes.

The significance of Sankashti Chaturthi lies in its association with Lord Ganesha and the blessings he bestows upon his devotees. It is believed that worshiping Lord Ganesha on this day removes all obstacles, brings success, prosperity, and happiness in one's life. Devotees seek his divine intervention to overcome challenges and seek his blessings for new ventures, academic pursuits, and personal growth.

Furthermore, Sankashti Chaturthi is considered an opportune time to seek forgiveness for any mistakes or wrongdoings. Devotees engage in self-reflection and introspection, resolving to rectify their shortcomings and lead a righteous life. This festival promotes unity, devotion, and the virtues of discipline and perseverance.

In conclusion, Sankashti Chaturthi is a revered Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, celebrated on the fourth day after the full moon each month. The rituals and fasting associated with this festival symbolize devotion, seeking divine intervention, and overcoming obstacles. Devotees observe this day with utmost sincerity, seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha for a prosperous and obstacle-free life.

Sankashti Chaturthi 2023 Dates List: 

January 10th
Tuesday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Jan 10, 12:09 PM - Jan 11, 2:31 PM
February 9th
Thursday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Feb 09, 6:23 AM - Feb 10, 7:58 AM
March 11th
Saturday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Mar 10, 9:42 PM - Mar 11, 10:06 PM
April 9th
Sunday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Apr 09, 9:35 AM - Apr 10, 8:37 AM
May 8th
Monday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : May 08, 6:19 PM - May 09, 4:08 PM
June 7th
Wednesday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Jun 07, 12:50 AM - Jun 07, 9:51 PM
July 6th
Thursday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Jul 06, 6:30 AM - Jul 07, 3:13 AM
August 4th
Friday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Aug 04, 12:45 PM - Aug 05, 9:40 AM
September 2nd
Saturday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Sep 02, 8:49 PM - Sep 03, 6:24 PM
October 2nd
Monday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Oct 02, 7:36 AM - Oct 03, 6:12 AM
November 1st
Wednesday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Oct 31, 9:30 PM - Nov 01, 9:19 PM
November 30th
Thursday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Nov 30, 2:25 PM - Dec 01, 3:31 PM
December 30th
Saturday		 Chaturthi Tithi Timing : Dec 30, 9:44 AM - Dec 31, 11:56 AM