Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi is one of the most important days dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings. In the Hindu lunar calendar, Sankashti Chaturthi falls on the fourth day after the full moon (Krishna Paksha) every month. However, Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi, which comes in the month of Bhadrapada, holds a special significance as it is associated with the form of Lord Ganesha known as Vighnaraja, meaning the remover of Obstacles.
Fasting Dates for Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi in 2024
This year, the Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi will fall on September 21, 2024. Here are the important timings for the day:
Chaturthi Tithi begins: September 20, 2024 – 9:15 PM
Chaturthi Tithi ends: September 21, 2024 – 06:13 PM
Moonrise Timing: The moonrise is expected around 8:10 PM (timing may vary slightly depending on your location).
Significance of Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi
According to the legends, on this day Lord Shiva declared Lord Ganesha superior to all gods
On Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi, devotees worship Lord Ganesha to seek his blessings to overcome life’s hurdles and challenges. Ganesha, in his Vighnaraja form, is believed to specifically help in removing obstacles that are hindering personal or professional growth.
It is believed that fasting and praying to Vighnaraja Ganesha on this day brings about positive change, clears obstacles, and leads to success and happiness.
Fasting and Rituals on Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi
Fasting on Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi is one of the most common practices, and it’s done with utmost devotion. The fast is kept from sunrise to moonrise, and devotees believe that observing this fast can grant wishes and resolve difficulties.
Here's how you can observe the fast and perform the puja:
- Begin the day with a bath and wear clean clothes – This is to clean and purify the body and mind for the day ahead.
- Offer prayers to Lord Ganesha – Place an image or an idol of Lord Ganesha at your home altar and offer fruits, flowers (especially red flowers), durva grass, and sweets like modak, which is his favorite.
- Chant Ganesha mantras – You can chant the ‘Om Gan Ganapataye Namah’ mantra or the Sankashti Ganesha Stotra during your prayers.
- Observe the fast – Many devotees observe a strict fast, consuming only fruits and water throughout the day, while some may choose a partial fast where they can eat one simple meal. You can choose to fast any way you prefer.
- Evening puja and moonrise – The fast is broken only after sighting the moon and offering prayers to Lord Ganesha. It’s believed that offering arghya (water) to the moon pleases both Lord Ganesha and Chandra Dev (the moon god), bringing peace and prosperity.
Story Behind Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi
There once lived a demon Banasur, who had a daughter named Usha. One night, she dreamt about a man named Aniruddha. The next day, after waking up, Usha became really curious to meet him. However, she had no information about his whereabouts. So, she asked her friend Chitralekha to draw a sketch of all three worlds (trilok) and their inhabitants.
Hereafter, Usha examined the sketch and found the image of Aniruddha. She then asked her friend to trace him, explaining that he is his husband and she wouldn’t be able to live without him.
Chitralekha decided to help her friend and went ahead searching for Aniruddha. She finally found him in Dwarka, sleeping on his bed. Chitralekha lifted the bed altogether while he was sleeping and took him to the Banasur’s kingdom.
Meanwhile, Pradyumann, Aniruddha’s father and the eldest son of Lord Krishna and Rukmini, was really stressed after his son went missing. Pradyumamm sought the help of Lord Krishna who eventually reached out to Rishi Lomash for guidance. Rishi Lomash explained the entire series of events and suggested Lord Krishna observe the fast on Sankashti Chaturthi to fix the problem. A few days after the fast, Lord Krishna defeated Banasur in a fierce battle and finally rescued Aniruddha.
Ever since then, Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi vrat is believed to help the devotees get rid of their problems and provide solace during times of adversity.
Conclusion
Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi is a day filled with devotion, hope, and positivity. It’s not just about seeking external rewards but also a time to reflect on your own journey and how you can overcome the inner obstacles holding you back. By observing the fast and praying to Lord Ganesha, you can invite success, peace, and prosperity into your life.
