PARAKUNNATH SREE VETTAKKORUMAKAN PAYYAN KSHETHRAM (TEMPLE), AROLI, KANNUR, KERALA: Sankashti Chaturthi also known as Sankata Hara Chaturthi is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

Tuesday, 14 February 2017

Sankashti Chaturthi also known as Sankata Hara Chaturthi is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

Sankashti Chaturthi also known as Sankata Hara Chaturthi is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This day is observed in every Lunar month of Hindu calendar month on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (dark lunar phase or the waning phase, fourth day after Full moon during Every month). If this Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday it is called Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi (14/02/17). Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi is considered highly important among all Sankashti Chaturthi days.

According to Hindu teachings, Angarak the son of Mother Earth and Bharadwaj Rishi, was an accomplished rishi and a great devotee of Lord Ganesha. He worshipped Lord Ganesha and sought his blessings. On Magh Krishna Chaturthi (the day was Tuesday), Lord Ganesha blessed him and asked him for a wish. Angarak expressed that his only wish was to be associated with Lord Ganesha’s name for forever. The Lord granted his wish and proclaimed that whoever worships Lord Ganesha on Angarika Chaturthi will be granted all that one prays for. From that day onwards, Magh Krishna Chaturthi came to be known as Angarak Chaturthi.

On the day of Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi, the devotees observe strict fast from morning till evening. They break the fast at night after having darshan/auspicious sight of the moon preceded by prayers and pooja of 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. The fast of Sankashti Chaturthi is generally started from the day "Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi". Also Angarki 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.!