Vrat · Kartika Krishna Chaturthi
Sankashti Chaturthi 2026
Every month's Krishna Chaturthi is Sankashti: a fast all day, broken after moonrise with Ganesha's puja. On a Tuesday, it's Angaraki!
Next date
Times are for Indore. The app gives times for your city.
Quick facts
- Also known asSankatahara Chaturthi, Angaraki (on a Tuesday), Sakat Chauth (Magha, north India)
- WhereAll of India, every month
- Puja forGanesha, and the moon
- In one lineGanesha who clears troubles: remembered once a month, with the fast ended at the sight of the moon.
Sankashti Chaturthi, in a little more detail
- 01
About the festival
Sankashti means release from trouble. On the Chaturthi after each full moon, there's one thing you ask of Ganesha: clear my troubles.
The fast lasts all day, but it ends only when the moon is seen. After moonrise you offer naivedya to Ganesha and to the moon, and only then eat. So on Sankashti, everyone keeps an eye on the sky!
Twelve Sankashtis a year, thirteen when there's an extra month. Each month Ganesha has a different name and seat, but the lesson is the same: when trouble comes, hold on, and wait for the moon to rise.
- 02
Angaraka's boon
Angaraka, son of the earth goddess Prithvi, was an accomplished rishi and a great devotee of Ganesha. Angaraka means red like a glowing ember: he is the planet Mars.
Pleased with his devotion, Ganesha told him to ask for a boon. Angaraka asked for just one thing: that his name be joined to Ganesha's forever.
Ganesha granted it. That's why a Sankashti on a Tuesday, the day of Mars, is called Angaraki, and it's held special.
- 03
In Maharashtra and beyond
A fast all day. In the evening, Ganesha's puja, durva grass, and modaks as naivedya. Before moonrise the Ganapati Atharvashirsha is recited.
Once the moon is up, you take its darshan and bow, and then break the fast.
On an Angaraki, the Ashtavinayak and the big Ganesha temples have queues for darshan.
In north and central India, the Sankashti of Magha is kept as Sakat Chauth: bhugga, a mix of til and jaggery, and radish are given away to complete the fast.
How to do the puja
In short: Fast all day, worship Ganesha in the evening, see the moon, offer naivedya, and only then eat.
- 1Bathe in the morning and take the sankalp: you'll fast until moonrise.
- 2Fast through the day. In many homes fruit, milk, sabudana or varai is fine; some take only water.
- 3In the evening, set Ganesha's image or murti on a clean patta and light a lamp.
- 4Offer durva, red flowers, haldi-kunku and akshata.
- 5Recite the Ganapati Atharvashirsha before the moon rises, or just say Ganesha's name.
- 6Once the moon is up, look at it, bow, and offer it water (arghya).
- 7Offer modaks as naivedya to Ganesha and the moon, and do the aarti.
- 8Break the fast with the prasad.
What you needTick as you go
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Frequently asked questions
When do I break the fast?
Only after the moon has risen and you've seen it. The moonrise time for your city is above. If clouds hide it, many break the fast at moonrise time anyway.
What can I eat while fasting?
In many homes fruit, milk and fasting foods like sabudana khichdi or varai; no meal of grains. Some take only water. Go with your family's way.
What is Angaraki?
A Sankashti that falls on a Tuesday. It's held the most auspicious of all.
Should I fast if I'm unwell, pregnant or elderly?
Health comes first. Keep a lighter fast, or just the evening puja and the sight of the moon. If you're unsure, ask your doctor.
Dates in 2026
13 times this year, timed for Indore.
Dates by city in 2026
In these cities the dates below differ from Indore; the rest are the same.
Dates in 2027
12 times in 2027, timed for Indore.
Set a reminder in the app
The app sends a notice the day before and on the day, even offline.