Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi
Also called: Ekadanta Ganesha Chaturthi
Dedicated to Ekadanta Ganesha ('the single-tusked one'). The Mudgala Purana presents Ekadanta as the vanquisher of Madasura (the demon of pride and arrogance). The single tusk represents non-duality (advaita) and the sacrifice of personal vanity for universal good.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Krishna Paksha
- Lunar month
- Vaishakha (Amanta); Jyeshtha (Purnimanta)
- Deities
- Lord Ganesha (Ekadanta Peetha), Chandra Dev
The story
Classical lore recounts that Ganesha broke his own tusk to continue transcribing the epic Mahabharata without interruption as sage Vyasa dictated it. Another tradition recounts his subduing of the demon Madasura, who bowed before him in surrender, teaching that true power lies in humility.
Practices
- Meditation on non-dual reality and humility
- Offering laddoo preparations made with besan and jaggery
- Charity of water and cooling sherbets to travelers during the summer heat
Regional variations
- Water and buttermilk stalls (pandals) organized by devotees in Maharashtra and Gujarat
Common questions
- What does Ekadanta symbolize?
- Ekadanta symbolizes the ultimate single reality behind diverse appearances, along with selfless commitment to knowledge.
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