Vrat & observance dates · India · IST
Sankashti Chaturthi 2026
All Sankashti Chaturthi dates this year — the monthly Ganesha vrat, broken at moonrise.
In short
There are 4 Sankashti Chaturthi dates in 2026 (India, IST). The full list is below — tap any date for that day's panchangam.
Sankashti Chaturthi · 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
Computed from the panchang (India, IST · Hyderabad reference). A regional calendar may occasionally differ by a day when a tithi spans or skips a sunrise.
What is Sankashti Chaturthi?
All Sankashti Chaturthi dates this year — the monthly Ganesha vrat, broken at moonrise.
Sankashti Chaturthi (Sankatahara Chaturthi) falls on the fourth tithi of the waning (Krishna) fortnight, once a lunar month, and is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The fast is observed through the day and broken after sighting the moon (Chandra darshan) at night.
When Sankashti Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday it is called Angarki Chaturthi and is considered especially auspicious. Devotees worship Ganesha for the removal of obstacles.
The dates below are computed from the panchang for India (IST). Tap any date for that day's full panchangam and moonrise time.
How to observe Sankashti Chaturthi
- 1 On the Sankashti Chaturthi day, wake early, bathe and take a sankalp (vow) to observe the vrat.
- 2 Keep the fast through the day as per the observance — avoiding grains where prescribed.
- 3 Offer puja and prayers to the presiding deity, with japa and reading of the vrat katha.
- 4 Break the fast (parana) at the prescribed time — see that day's panchangam for the exact window.
How this is calculated
Timings are computed with the Drik (observational) method using the Lahiri (Chitra-paksha) ayanamsha, for India (IST) with Hyderabad as the reference location. Sunrise- and sunset-based windows — Rahu Kalam, Choghadiya and the muhurtas — are derived from the day's actual sunrise and sunset, so they shift a few minutes by city.
FAQ
When is the Sankashti Chaturthi fast broken?
After sighting the moon (Chandra darshan) at night — the fast is kept through the day and broken once the moon is offered arghya. Tap any date for that day's moonrise time.
Which god is worshipped on Sankashti Chaturthi?
Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Devotees worship him with durva grass and modak and vow to overcome difficulties (sankat).
What is Angarki Chaturthi?
A Sankashti Chaturthi that falls on a Tuesday (Angarak = Mangal). It is considered the most powerful Sankashti of the year and is said to grant the merit of a whole year's observance.
How is Sankashti Chaturthi different from Vinayaka Chaturthi?
Sankashti is on the Chaturthi of the waning (Krishna) fortnight and is broken at moonrise; Vinayaka Chaturthi is on the Chaturthi of the waxing (Shukla) fortnight and observed by day. Both honour Ganesha.
What are the benefits of Sankashti Chaturthi vrat?
It is believed to remove obstacles, grant wishes, and bring Ganesha's protection and prosperity; it is especially observed for the welfare of one's children and family.
How is Sankashti Chaturthi puja done?
Ganesha is worshipped with durva grass, red flowers and modak, the Sankashti katha is read, and at night arghya (water) is offered to the moon before the fast is broken.
What can we eat during the Sankashti fast?
Fruit, milk and vrat foods such as sabudana are taken during the day; the main meal is eaten after moonrise, traditionally including modak or coconut.
How many Sankashti Chaturthis are there in a year?
Usually 12 — one each lunar month; a year with an extra (adhika) month has 13.
