Lord Gaṇeśa’s Monthly Vrata
Monthly Caturthī
Vināyaka Caturthī at Midday · Sankaṣṭī Caturthī at Moonrise
The fourth tithi (Caturthī) of each lunar fortnight is sacred to Lord Gaṇeśa, the remover of obstacles (Vighnahartā). The two fortnights carry distinct spiritual rhythms: the waxing moon is worshipped at the noon hour of divine appearance, while the waning moon is kept with a strict vigil broken after moonrise.
Vināyaka Caturthī
Observed in the waxing fortnight when the Caturthī tithi prevails at midday (Madhyāhna kāla, ~11:00 AM – 1:30 PM). This reflects the traditional hour of Lord Gaṇeśa’s manifestation from Goddess Pārvatī.
21 Modakas, 21 Blades of Dūrvā Grass, Red Hibiscus
Fast kept through the morning and broken after noon pūjā.
Sankaṣṭī Caturthī
Observed in the waning fortnight when the Caturthī covers moonrise. “Sankaṣṭa” denotes distress, hardship, and debt; keeping this fast invokes Lord Gaṇeśa to deliver devotees from affliction.
Candrodaya Arghya to the Risen Moon & Gaṇeśa
Strict day-long fast broken strictly at night after sighting the moon.
Aṅgārakī Caturthī
When Sankaṣṭī Caturthī coincides with a Tuesday (Aṅgāraka vāra, Mars), it is celebrated as Aṅgārakī Caturthī. In the Gaṇeśa Purāṇa, Aṅgāraka (son of Earth and sage Bharadvāja) performed severe penance to Gaṇeśa on this tithi. Pleased with his devotion, Gaṇeśa granted that whoever observes Sankaṣṭī on a Tuesday will receive the accumulated merit of performing all twelve monthly Caturthī fasts of the year, dissolving all Kuja (Mars) doṣas and overcoming crushing debts.
Comparison: Vināyaka vs Sankaṣṭī
| Attribute | Vināyaka Caturthī | Sankaṣṭī Caturthī |
|---|---|---|
| Fortnight (Pakṣa) | Śukla Pakṣa (Waxing Moon) | Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa (Waning Moon) |
| Primary Worship Time | Madhyāhna (Solar Midday) | Candrodaya (Night Moonrise) |
| Fast Duration | Morning until midday pūjā | Day-long until moon is sighted |
| Moon Sighting Rule | Moon sighting is traditionally avoided on Bhādrapada Caturthī (Mithyā Kalaṅka) | Moon sighting and Arghya is mandatory to break the fast |
| Spiritual Fruit | Removes obstacles in new undertakings; wisdom and intellect | Deliverance from afflictions (sankaṣṭa), financial debts, and sorrow |
| Annual Apex | Bhādrapada Gaṇeśa Caturthī (Mahotsava) | Vikaṭa / Aṅgārakī Caturthī |
Caturthī Dates in 2026–2027
Mantras for Caturthī Vrata
ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि।
तन्नो दन्तिः प्रचोदयात्॥
“We meditate upon that Supreme Being, we contemplate the Lord with the curved trunk. May the tusked Lord illuminate and guide our intellect.”
क्षीरोदार्णव सम्भूत अत्रिनेत्र समुद्भव।
गृहाणार्घ्यं शशाङ्केश रोहिण्या सहितो मम॥
“O Moon, born of the ocean of milk and from the eye of sage Atri, beloved consort of Rohiṇī, please accept this sacred arghya offered with devotion.”