Vakratunda Sankashti Chaturthi
Also called: Vakratunda Ganesha Chaturthi
Dedicated to Vakratunda Ganesha ('the form with the curved trunk'). According to the Mudgala Purana, Vakratunda defeated Matsarasura (the demon of jealousy and envy). This fast frequently falls on the same lunar date as Karwa Chauth in North India, though Sankashti remains an independent Ganesha vrata observed across India.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Krishna Paksha
- Lunar month
- Ashwin (Amanta); Kartik (Purnimanta)
- Deities
- Lord Ganesha (Vakratunda Peetha), Chandra Dev
The story
When Matsarasura spread malice, envy, and discord among gods and mortals, Lord Ganesha in his Vakratunda form defeated the demon. Matsarasura repented and asked for forgiveness, teaching that jealousy consumes its host until surrendered to the divine.
Practices
- Offering fresh durva grass and modaks at sunset
- Prayers dedicated to cleansing the mind of envy and comparison
- Observing the moonrise Arghya with family
Regional variations
- In North India, married women observing Karwa Chauth offer Arghya to Ganesha and Chandra together on this evening
Common questions
- Is Vakratunda Sankashti the same as Karwa Chauth?
- No. They coincide on the same lunar tithi (Kartik Krishna Chaturthi), but Karwa Chauth is a regional fast for spouses, while Sankashti is the standard Ganesha observance.
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