Sankashti Chaturthi is a favourable day for the worship of Lord Ganesha. A Sankashti Chaturthi falls in every lunar month on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha. The day is considered extremely auspicious and is viewed as an obstacle removal ritual. In the month of August, the Sankashti Chaturthi will be celebrated on August 30. A Sankashti Chaturthi that falls on Tuesday is even more auspicious, called the Angarki Chaturthi. On this day people observe fast, offer special prayers and conduct puja seeking blessings from the Lord.

Puja Timings and Muhurat:

The shubh muhurat for Sankashti Chaturthi puja will begin from morning 4 o'clock to 10.30 am. From 10.31 to 12.00 pm, there will be Rahu Kaal. It is forbidden to perform the puja during the rahu kaal. After this once again the puja can be performed from 12.01 pm to 9.00 pm.  Ganesh Chaturthi 2018: Mumbai Artisans Adopt Eco-Friendly Clay Idols of Ganpati.

Moonrise timing: 9.16 pm

Puja Vidhi:

  1. Take a bath and wear clean clothes. Keep an idol or picture of Lord Ganesh in a corner where you are performing the puja. Spread a red or yellow cloth at the place where you will perform the puja.

  2. Perform the puja, offer the lord with water, durva grass (one with three nodes), ladoo and incense stick.

  3. Take a banana leaf and make a triangle with roli (sindoor and water).

  4. Keep a ghee diya over this triangle.

  5. Post the puja, offer a mixture of honey, sandalwood and roli to the moon. Keep laddoo as a prasad (sweets) after the puja.

Devotees also keep a fast for the day. The one on Angarki Sankashti is observed more strictly than Sankashti. Some observe partial fast, some for the whole day. They have food after sighting of the moon. There are many believers in Lord Ganesha believers they religiously observe these significant days.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2018 07:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).