Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi
Also called: Vighnaraja Ganesha Chaturthi
Dedicated to Vighnaraja Ganesha ('the supreme master and ruler over obstacles'). The Mudgala Purana states that Vighnaraja vanquished Mamatasura (the demon of possessiveness and 'mine-ness'). Devotees observe it to break free from restrictive possessiveness.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Krishna Paksha
- Lunar month
- Bhadrapada (Amanta); Ashwin (Purnimanta)
- Deities
- Lord Ganesha (Vighnaraja Peetha), Chandra Dev
The story
When Mamatasura imprisoned living beings in narrow self-interest and rivalry, Vighnaraja demonstrated that everything belongs to the supreme cosmic order. Liberated from possessiveness, communities rediscovered cooperation and goodwill.
Practices
- Offering coconut, jaggery, and sesame sweets
- Reflective prayers renouncing narrow self-interest
- Reading the Ganesha Sahasranama
Common questions
- How does Vighnaraja remove obstacles?
- He transforms inner mental blockages into stepping stones of wisdom, aligning individual effort with righteous living.
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