Bhalachandra Sankashti Chaturthi
Also called: Bhalachandra Chaturthi
Dedicated to Bhalachandra Ganesha ('the one who bears the crescent moon upon his forehead'). The crescent adornment signifies calm temperament, mental poise, and victory over heated passion and unrest.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Krishna Paksha
- Lunar month
- Phalguna (Amanta); Chaitra (Purnimanta)
- Deities
- Lord Ganesha (Bhalachandra Peetha), Chandra Dev
The story
A popular legend tells that the Moon god laughed at Ganesha and was cursed by him. When the Moon repented, Ganesha softened the curse so that the moon would wax and wane instead of vanishing. Ganesha is worshipped as Bhalachandra, with the crescent moon on his forehead, a form described in the Ganesha Purana.
Practices
- Offering cooling sandalwood paste and white fragrant flowers
- Arghya to the moon with milk and rose petals
- Meditation on mental stillness and emotional healing
Regional variations
- Commonly observed with peaceful family evening gatherings across western and southern states
Common questions
- Why does Ganesha wear the crescent moon?
- The crescent moon on Ganesha's brow represents mastery over the mind and emotional calmness even amid turbulence.
Types of Sankashti Chaturthi
- Lambodara Sankashti ChaturthiKrishna Chaturthi of Pausha/Magha
- Dwijapriya Sankashti ChaturthiMagha (Amanta); Phalguna (Purnimanta)
- Bhalachandra Sankashti ChaturthiPhalguna (Amanta); Chaitra (Purnimanta)
- Vikata Sankashti ChaturthiChaitra (Amanta); Vaishakha (Purnimanta)
- Ekadanta Sankashti ChaturthiVaishakha (Amanta); Jyeshtha (Purnimanta)
- Vibhuvana Sankashti ChaturthiAdhik Maas (only in years with an extra lunar month)
- Krishnapingala Sankashti ChaturthiJyeshtha (Amanta); Ashadha (Purnimanta)
- Gajanana Sankashti ChaturthiAshadha (Amanta); Shravana (Purnimanta)
- Heramba Sankashti ChaturthiShravana (Amanta); Bhadrapada (Purnimanta)
- Vighnaraja Sankashti ChaturthiBhadrapada (Amanta); Ashwin (Purnimanta)
- Vakratunda Sankashti ChaturthiAshwin (Amanta); Kartik (Purnimanta)
- Ganadhipa Sankashti ChaturthiKartik (Amanta); Margashirsha (Purnimanta)
- Akhuratha Sankashti ChaturthiMargashirsha (Amanta); Pausha (Purnimanta)
- Angarki Sankashti ChaturthiTuesday (Mangalwar) coinciding with Krishna Chaturthi