Sankatahara Chaturthi or Sankashti Chaturthi is a Vrata observed on the Chaturthi, the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (chaturthi which comes after the full moon) during every month. Devotees of Lord Ganesh consider the vratam as highly auspicious and effective in overcoming obstacles and problems (sankat).
The Vratam should be observed for a period of one year starting on Magha Krishna Chaturthi or Bhadrapada Krishna Chaturthi or when the Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday during the year ( also called Angaraka Sankatahara Chaturthi).
The person or couple who wish to undertake this Vrata should perform a sankalpa (firm resolution) in the morning after taking a head bath and worshipping Lord Ganesha that they will observe this vrata for one year. They must observe a fast for the whole day and worship Lord Ganesha after moon rise in the evening with Durva grass (darbha) , modak, Shwetaarka flower and other offerings which are dear to Lord Ganesha.
The significance, spiritual importance and the greatness of Sankatahara Chaturthi is mentioned in the Bhavishya Purana and the Narasimha Purana. Sankashti Chaturthi mahatmya was narrated by Lord Krishna to Yudhistira.
The story is told of a King who had no issues, in spite of performing many austerities and pujas. He prays to Rishi Narada to help him. Lord Narada visits the world of ancestors (Pitri Loka) and discovers that the king's ancestors were suffering in hell as the King had no children. The King's father tells Maharishi Narada that the King should invoke the blessings of Lord Ganesha to obtain progeny and release them from hell. The King undertakes the Sankatahara Chaturthi Vrata and within a year he is blessed with progeny and his ancestors also attain swarga.
The second important incident associated with the Chaturth Vratam is about Mangala graha. Lord Mangal performs severe austerities for 1,000 years without food or water to appease Lord Ganesha who appears in front of him on the Magha Krishna Chaturthi day soon after moon rise and blesses him. Mangalagraha requests Lord Ganesha that he should similarly bless any person who undertakes the Chaturthi Vrata. This is why Lord Ganesha is addressed as 'Mangala Murti'.
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