Festivals of Chaturthi
- Sankashti Chaturthi is the 4th day of the waning lunar phase after the full moon. If this Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday it is called Angarki Chaturthi. On this day, the devotees observe strict fast. They break the fast at night after having darshan/auspicious sight of the moon preceded by prayers to Lord Ganesha. The Angarki Chaturthi (angarak in Sanskrit means red like burning coal ambers) Devotees believe their wishes would be fulfilled if they pray on this auspicious day. Also Sankashti means deliverance during troubled times, hence observing this fast is believed to reduce your problems as Lord Ganesha symbolizes the remover of all obstacles and supreme lord of intelligence. Before moonlight the Ganapati Atharvashesha is recited to summon the blessings of Lord Ganesha.
During each month, Lord Ganesha is worshiped with a different name and peeta (Lotus petals). On the Charturti day (4th day after new moon) of each month, the 'Sankashta Ganapathi Pooja' prayer is performed. Each ‘Vratha’ (strict fast) has a purpose and is explained to us by a story known as the ‘Vratha Katha’. This prayer offering has 13 Vratha Kathas, one for each month and the 13th story is for 'athika' (The Hindu calendar has one extra month every 4 years). The uniqueness of this Vratha is that the story pertaining to that month alone has to be recited.
The Sankasta Ganapathi Pooja - 13 Names and Peetas
| Month | Name of Ganesh in which the pooja is performed | Name of the peeta |
|---|---|---|
| Chaitra Masa | Vikata Maha Ganapati | Vinayaka Peeta |
| Vaishaka Masa | Chanakra Raja Ekadanta Ganapathi | Srichakra Peeta |
| Jeshta Masa | Krishna Pingala Maha Ganapati | Sri Shakthi Ganapathi Peeta |
| Ashada Masa | Gajaanana Ganapati | Vishnu Peeta |
| Shravana Masa | Heramba Maha Ganapati | Ganapathi Peeta |
| Bhadrapada Masa | Vignaraja Maha Ganapati | Vigneshwara Peeta |
| Ashweeja Masa | Vakrathunda Maha Ganapati | Bhuvaneshwari Peeta |
| Karthika Masa | Ganadipa Maha Ganapati | Shiva Peeta |
| Margashira Masa | Akuratha Maha Ganapati | Durga Peeta |
| Pushya Masa | Lambodara Maha Ganapati | Soura Peeta |
| Maga Masa | Dwijapriya Maha Ganapati | Samanya deva Peeta |
| Palguna Masa | Balachandra Maha Ganapati | Agama Peeta |
| Adika Masa | Vibhuvana Palaka Maha Ganapati | Doorva Bilva Patra Peeta |
- Vinayaki Chaturthi is the Chaturthi after Amavasya or new moon. Devotees observe the fast for full day and night and meal is consumed the next day.
- This fast is mostly observed in Western and Southern India especially by the Brahmin community (Mostly smartha or shaiva). The fast is supposed to be strict and only fruit, roots or vegetable products are supposed to be consumed. Since the potato, Cassava/sabudana-tapioca and peanut arrived from the New World after Columbus, these three quickly became staple in Indian fasts giving dishes of the likes of Sabudana khichadi.
- Ganesh Chaturthi is one of prominent Chaturthi on which Lord Ganesha makes his presence on the earth.
- Magha shukla chaturthi: Ganesh Jayanti
- Samvatsari (Kshamavani), falls on Shukla Paksha Bhadrapad.
- Nagula Chaviti
Read more about this topic: Chaturthi
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