Sankashti Chaturthi संकष्टी चतुर्थी
Sankashti Chaturthi is the monthly fast to Ganesha on the fourth day of the waning moon, kept to clear away obstacles and difficulties. Its hallmark is that the fast is broken only after the moon has risen.
What is Sankashti Chaturthi?
Sankashti Chaturthi is a monthly vrat to Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, kept on Chaturthi - the fourth tithi - of the waning fortnight (Krishna Paksha). The word sankashti means release from difficulty, and the fast is kept precisely for that: to clear away troubles and see undertakings safely through.
How it is observed
Devotees fast through the day and worship Ganesha with durva (young grass), red flowers and modak, his favourite sweet. What sets Sankashti apart is the moonrise: the fast is not broken until the moon is seen. Water (arghya) is offered to the moon, Ganesha is worshipped, and only then is the fast concluded - so the timing depends on your city’s moonrise.
Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi
When Sankashti Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday (Mangalwar), it is called Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi, and is held to be the most powerful of the year. Tradition says that keeping a single Angarki vrat brings the reward of a whole year’s Sankashti fasts.
Sankashti, Vinayaka and Ganesh Chaturthi
All three honour Ganesha on a Chaturthi, but they differ. Sankashti is the Krishna-paksha (waning) Chaturthi, broken at moonrise. Vinayaka Chaturthi is the Shukla-paksha (waxing) Chaturthi, worshipped around midday with no moon-sighting - and, in fact, seeing the moon on that night is traditionally avoided. Ganesh Chaturthi, the birth of Ganesha, is the Vinayaka Chaturthi of Bhadrapada, celebrated most grandly of all.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sankashti Chaturthi?
Sankashti Chaturthi is a fast to Ganesha kept on Chaturthi, the fourth tithi of the waning fortnight (Krishna Paksha), once every lunar month. 'Sankashti' means deliverance from difficulties, and the vrat is kept to remove obstacles and troubles.
How is Sankashti Chaturthi observed?
Devotees fast through the day and worship Ganesha with durva grass, red flowers and modak. Uniquely, the fast is broken only after sighting the moon at night - the moon is offered arghya (water), then Ganesha is worshipped and the fast concluded. The moonrise time depends on your location.
What is Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi?
When Sankashti Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday (Mangalwar), it is called Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi and is considered especially powerful - observing this single one is said to carry the merit of a year of Sankashti vrats.
How is it different from Vinayaka and Ganesh Chaturthi?
Sankashti Chaturthi is the Krishna-paksha (waning) Chaturthi, broken at moonrise. Vinayaka Chaturthi is the Shukla-paksha (waxing) Chaturthi, observed with a midday worship and no moon-sighting. Ganesh Chaturthi - the birth of Ganesha - is the Vinayaka Chaturthi of Bhadrapada, the grandest of them all.
When is the next Sankashti Chaturthi in Mumbai, MH?
The next Sankashti Chaturthi in Mumbai, MH is on 2 August 2026. The fast is broken at moonrise; see that day's panchang for the time.
Last updated 26 July 2026