Sankatahara Chathurthi

Sankatahara Chaturthi – Sankatahara Chaturthi also known as Sanakshti Chaturthi is one of the most auspicious and important days for observing fast. It is generally followed every month on the Fourth day of Krishna Paksha (Waning Moon). One can find in the Hindu lunar calendar two Chaturthi Tithis; one after Full Moon Day during Krishna Paksha and one after New Moon Day (Amavasai). The one after Full Moon day is called Sankashti Chaturthi and the other is called Vinayak Chaturthi.

About Sankatahara Chaturthi:

As per the Hindu Calendar, every lunar month is marked by two Chathurthi Tithis. One is the Sankatahara Chathurthi and the other is Vinayaka Chathurthi. Sankatahara Chathurthi occurs during Krishna Paksha on the full-moon day called pournami, whereas the other one which is Vinayaka Chathurthi, dawns immediately following Amavasai or the new moon day, at the time of Shukla Paksha.

Fasting During Sankatahara Chathurthi:

Fasting for Sankatahara Chathurthi is highly popular in the western part of the country i.e. Maharashtra and down south in Tamil Nadu. There are two schools of thought about the fasting ritual for Sankatahara Chathurthi. The Purnimant School are of the belief that Sankatahara Chathurthi occurs during the month of Magha, whereas believers from Amavasyant School consider this auspicious thithi to fall during Paush maasam, and hence fasting must be observed at that time. One more variation is the Angarki Chathurthi, referring to Sankatahara Chathurthi occurring on a Tuesday, and believed as highly favourable. Sankatahara Chathurthi during the Magha maasam also goes by the name of Sakat Chauth in North India.

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