Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi
Also called: Heramba Ganesha Chaturthi
Dedicated to Heramba Ganesha, a rare and majestic five-headed form riding a lion. Heramba signifies 'the protector of the helpless and destitute'.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Krishna Paksha
- Lunar month
- Shravana (Amanta); Bhadrapada (Purnimanta)
- Deities
- Lord Ganesha (Heramba Peetha), Chandra Dev
The story
Classical texts describe Heramba as the divine guardian who manifests when innocent devotees face oppressive forces beyond their strength. His lion mount symbolizes fearless protection, while his five heads govern the five elements of creation.
Practices
- Offering modaks and five varieties of fruits
- Chanting the Heramba Stotram for family protection
- Supporting community shelters or feeding underprivileged children
Regional variations
- Special veneration at Heramba Ganesha shrines in Varanasi and Nepal
Common questions
- What does the five-headed Heramba form represent?
- Heramba represents complete mastery over the five cosmic elements (Pancha Mahabhuta) and fearlessness in defending truth.
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