Bhalchandra Sankashti Chaturthi 2023 Date
Bhalchandra Sankashti Chaturthi: Sankashti means moksha from troubles. Devotees of Sri Ganesha observe this Bhalchandra Sankashti Chaturthi fast to seek Lord Ganesha's blessings for a life free of hurdles.
Sri Ganesha devotees keep a fast on the fourth day of every lunar fortnight. The Chaturthi Tithi that comes during Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon) is called Vinakaya Chaturthi. And the Chaturthi tithi which comes during Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the Moon) is called Sankashti Chaturthi. Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi comes in the month of Chaitra (according to the Purnimant calendar) or Phalguna (as per the Amanta calendar).
What does Sankashti mean?
Sankashti means freedom from problems. Devotees of Sri Ganesha who is also known as Vighanharta observe this Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat to seek Sri Ganesha's blessings for a life free of hurdles and obstacles.
Significance of Sankashti Chaturthi
Ganesha was born on the Chaturthi Tithi in the month of Bhadrapada, and so the fourth tithi is considered very auspicious though all the Chaturthi Tithis are considered equally important.
What do people do on Chaturthi Tithi and how to observe a Vrat?
Devotees of Sri Ganesha observe a fast on Chaturthi Tithi from sunrise to moonrise. Consumption of rice, wheat and pulses is strictly prohibited. Devotees can, have vrat recipes or fruits and tea/coffee.
Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Vidhi & Some Rules to follow:
- Wake up early, take a bath and wear fresh clothes.
- Do dhyana (meditation) after closing eyes and offer your prayers to Sri Ganesha with folded hands. And then invoke Sri Ganesha by reading or listening to Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha and chanting Ganesh Mantra's to accept your humble offerings.
- Keep a fast from sunrise.
- Do Ganesha's Nama and Mantra Japa (chanting of the name and mantras of Sri Ganesha).
- Before performing the puja in the evening, take a bath and wear clean clothes. Do dhyana and invoke Sri Ganesha once again.
- Light an oil lamp and chant the Ganesha mantras to perform the rituals.
- Offer a fresh piece of cloth, Janeyu, akshat, kumkuma, Chandan, haldi, flowers, Durva grass, dhoop and incense sticks. Ganesha likes the red hibiscus flowers which you may offer to him.
- Offer the Naivedhya consisting of Modaks, Ganesha's favourite food preparation, bananas and a raw coconut with its husk.
- Then offer the tamboolam (consisting of paan, supari and currency coins). Read or listen to the Sankashti vrata katha. Every fast is completed after singing the Aarti so read/sing or listen to Sri Ganesh's Aarti and break the fast after sighting the Moon and offering Arghya as it's auspicious to have a moon sighting.
- Never use Tulsi in worship of Sri Ganesha.
- Do not eat meat, eggs or alcohol on the day.
- It is considered auspicious to wear red colour clothes on the occasion of Sankashti Chaturthi and while worshipping Ganesha, your face must be in the north or east direction.
Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi 2023 Date & Timings
Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi 2023 Date - Saturday, March 11, 2023
Moonrise on Sankashti Day - 10:09 PM
Chaturthi Tithi Begins - 09:42 PM on Mar 10, 2023
Chaturthi Tithi Ends - 10:05 PM on Mar 11, 2023
