Sankashti Chaturthi 2023
12 occurrences in 2023 • Jacksonville • Deity: Lord Ganesha
All Occurrences — 12 Sankashti Chaturthi occurrences in 2023
| # | Date | Day | Paksha | Tithi Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 Jan 2023 | Tuesday | Krishna | — |
| 2 | 09 Feb 2023 | Thursday | Krishna | — |
| 3 | 10 Mar 2023 | Friday | Krishna | — |
| 4 | 09 Apr 2023 | Sunday | Krishna | — |
| 5 | 08 May 2023 | Monday | Krishna | — |
| 6 | 06 Jul 2023 | Thursday | Krishna | — |
| 7 | 04 Aug 2023 | Friday | Krishna | — |
| 8 | 02 Sep 2023 | Saturday | Krishna | — |
| 9 | 02 Oct 2023 | Monday | Krishna | — |
| 10 | 31 Oct 2023 | Tuesday | Krishna | — |
| 11 | 30 Nov 2023 | Thursday | Krishna | — |
| 12 | 30 Dec 2023 | Saturday | Krishna | — |
Each Sankashti Chaturthi has its own classical name (Nirjala, Devshayani, Mokshada, etc.) determined by the Hindu lunar month — see the 12 Named Sankashti Chaturthi section below for stories, benefits, and significance.
What is Sankashti Chaturthi? संकष्टी चतुर्थी
Sankashti Chaturthi is observed on the 4th tithi of Krishna Paksha each lunar month — sacred to Lord Ganesha as the remover of obstacles (Sankashti = freed from troubles). The vrat is broken only after sighting the moon (Chandra Darshan) at night and offering arghya. Each month's Sankashti has its own Ganesha name (13 forms across the year, including Adhik Maas).
संकष्टी चतुर्थी हर चन्द्र मास के कृष्ण पक्ष की चतुर्थी तिथि को रखा जाता है — गणेश जी को समर्पित। 'संकष्टी' का अर्थ है संकटों से मुक्त।
12 Named Sankashti Chaturthi
Each Sankashti Chaturthi has its own name, story, and benefit determined by the lunar month it falls in. Click any name to read its full mythology, benefit, and special observance notes.
Akhuratha Sankashti (Margashirsha) अखुरथ संकष्टी
Margashirsha: Smooth start to undertakings, vehicle gains, transportation safety
Sakat Chaturthi (Magha) सकट चौथ / लम्बोदर संकष्टी
Magha: Sons' welfare, removal of family troubles, sin-purification through til (sesame)
Dwijapriya Sankashti (Phalguna) द्विजप्रिय संकष्टी
Phalguna: Education, learning, removal of obstacles in academic pursuits
Bhalchandra Sankashti (Chaitra) भालचन्द्र संकष्टी
Chaitra: Beginnings, courage, mental clarity
Vikata Mahaganapati Sankashti (Vaishakha) विकट महागणपति संकष्टी
Vaishakha: Removal of large obstacles, victory over enemies, courage
Ekdanta Sankashti (Jyeshtha) एकदन्त संकष्टी
Jyeshtha: Sacrifice for greater good, scholarly success, success in writing/communication
Krishnapingala Sankashti (Ashadha) कृष्णपिङ्गल संकष्टी
Ashadha: Balance between worldly and spiritual life, control over base instincts
Gajanana Sankashti (Shravana) गजानन संकष्टी
Shravana: Strength, leadership, agricultural prosperity
Heramba Sankashti (Bhadrapada) हेरम्ब संकष्टी
Bhadrapada: Protection from danger, defeat of enemies, fearlessness
Vighnaraja Sankashti (Ashwin) विघ्नराज संकष्टी
Ashwin: Removal of pitru-related obstacles, ancestor satisfaction, family welfare
Ganadhipa Sankashti / Karva Chauth गणाधिप संकष्टी / करवा चौथ
Kartika: Husband's longevity, marital bliss, harmony in marriage
Vakratunda Sankashti (Margashirsha late / Pausha) वक्रतुण्ड संकष्टी
Pausha: Course-correction, removal of all obstacles, fresh start preparation
Vrat Vidhi (Procedure) व्रत विधि
The traditional step-by-step procedure for observing Sankashti Chaturthi, drawn from classical Vedic sources.
Day Fast
Begin fast at sunrise. No grains, beans, onion, garlic. Fruits, milk, water permitted. Some observe complete nirjala until moonrise — this is the traditional form.
Morning Sankalpa
After bath, sit before Ganesha murti or photo. Take sankalpa (vow): 'Today I observe [Name] Sankashti Chaturthi vrat for removal of obstacles and the welfare of my family.'
Day Worship
Light a ghee lamp. Offer red flowers, durva grass (3-strand bunches × 21), modak (steamed sweet dumpling), laddoo, banana, coconut. Recite Ganesh Chalisa, Sankat Nashan Ganesh Stotra, or Sankashtnashan stotram.
Evening Pujan and Katha
After sunset, do main puja with full sodash-upachar. Read the Sankashti Chaturthi katha specific to the month (Sakat for Magha, Karva for Kartika, etc.). Continue waiting for moonrise.
Chandra Darshan and Arghya
Sankashti is unique — fast is broken ONLY after sighting the moon (Chandrodaya). Offer arghya (water libation) to the moon with milk, white flowers, durva. Then break fast with the prasad. Chandrodaya time varies by month and city — check the page for your city.
Mantras मंत्र
Sacred mantras to chant during Sankashti Chaturthi for maximum spiritual benefit. Recite with devotion and proper pronunciation.
Looking for more? Browse our complete library of Vedic Scriptures — Chalisas, Stotras, Aartis, and Mantras.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink water during Sankashti Chaturthi?
Traditional Sankashti is observed without water until moonrise (Chandrodaya). Modern observance allows water, milk, and fruits during the day, with the actual fast-breaking only after sighting the moon and offering arghya.
Why must we wait for the moon to break Sankashti fast?
Ganesha is connected to the Moon — the famous story where Chandra (Moon) laughed at Ganesha and was cursed. Sighting the moon and offering arghya before breaking fast appeases both deities and removes Chandra-dosha. Fast cannot be broken before moonrise.
What if the moon is not visible due to clouds?
If clouds prevent moon-sighting, you can break fast at the calculated chandrodaya time after offering arghya in the moon's direction. The intention (sankalpa) matters more than physical visibility.
How many Sankashti Chaturthi in a year?
Typically 12 in a normal year, 13 in years with Adhik Maas. Each has its specific Ganesha name (Akhuratha, Lambodara, Bhalchandra, Heramba, Vakratunda, etc.) based on the lunar month.
Difference between Sankashti and Vinayaka Chaturthi?
Sankashti = Krishna Paksha Chaturthi (4th of waning fortnight) — fasting, moon-sighting required. Vinayaka Chaturthi = Shukla Paksha Chaturthi (4th of waxing fortnight) — daytime worship, no moon-sighting needed. Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapada Shukla) is THE Vinayaka Chaturthi (the festival).
Which Sankashti is most important?
Sakat Chauth (Magha) is most important in North India — mothers fast for sons. Karva Chauth (Kartika) is observed by married women for husband's longevity. Angarki Sankashti (when Sankashti falls on Tuesday) is rare and especially powerful.