Sankashti Chaturthi on 26 May 2024: Chandrodaya Time for Breaking Fast
Posted on May 22, 2024
Fasting on Sankashti Chaturthi is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to devotees. It is said that observing this fast with devotion helps in overcoming obstacles and brings the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Sankashti Chaturthi in May of 2024 falls on May 26, Sunday.
Chandrodaya/Moonrise time of cities in India to break upvas/fasting:
Jaipur, Rajasthan: 10:13 PM
Delhi: 10:12 PM
Ahmedabad, Gujarat: 10:16 PM
Patna, Bihar: 09:31 PM
Mumbai, Maharashtra: 10:05 PM
Bengaluru, Karnataka: 09:30 PM
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: 09:57 PM
Raipur, Chhattisgarh: 09:34 PM
Hyderabad, Telangana: 09:37 PM
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: 09:20 PM
Kolkata, West Bengal: 09:09 PM
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: 09:52 PM
Chandigarh: 10:21 PM
Bhubaneswar, Odisha: 09:14 PM
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: 10:20 PM
Dehradun, Uttarakhand: 10:14 PM
Ranchi, Jharkhand: 09:24 PM
Nagpur, Maharashtra: 09:44 PM
Pune, Maharashtra: 09:59 PM
Fasting on Sankashti Chaturthi Rituals and Observance:
- Pre-Dawn Preparations: Devotees wake up early, take a bath, and clean their houses. Some perform a ritualistic bath, known as ‘Abhyanga Snan,’ which involves massaging the body with oil before bathing.
- Strict Fasting: Devotees observe a strict fast throughout the day. Some observe a complete fast, refraining from consuming even water, while others follow a partial fast, eating fruits, vegetables, and drinking milk.
- Chanting and Prayers: Devotees chant Ganesha mantras and recite the ‘Sankashti Vrat Katha,’ a story that narrates the significance and benefits of the fast. The popular mantra chanted is “Om Gan Ganapataye Namo Namah.”
- Evening Pooja: The fast is broken after sighting the moon. An elaborate pooja (ritual worship) is performed in the evening, with offerings of durva grass, modaks (sweet dumplings), and other sweets that are dear to Lord Ganesha. Lamps are lit, and incense sticks are burned to purify the atmosphere.
- Moon Worship: A special ritual is performed to worship the moon. Devotees offer water, rice, and flowers to the moon while chanting specific prayers.
Fasting on Sankashti Chaturthi Benefits:
- Spiritual Growth: The fast is believed to enhance spiritual growth, discipline, and mental strength.
- Removal of Obstacles: Devotees believe that fasting on this day helps remove obstacles and brings success in their endeavors.
- Health Benefits: Fasting is also seen as a way to detoxify the body, promoting physical and mental well-being.
Conclusion: Fasting on Sankashti Chaturthi is a deeply spiritual practice that holds immense significance for devotees of Lord Ganesha. It is a day of devotion, purification, and seeking blessings for a prosperous and obstacle-free life. By observing this fast with faith and sincerity, devotees believe they can attain the grace and favor of Lord Ganesha, ensuring a path of success and happiness.