Sankatahara Chaturthi — also called Sankashti Chaturthi — is a monthly vrat dedicated to Lord Ganesha, observed on the Chaturthi (fourth day) of the Krishna Paksha (waning fortnight) each month. The name means 'the Chaturthi that removes sankata' — troubles, obstacles, and sorrows. As the remover of obstacles (Vighnaharta), Ganesha is invoked on this day to clear difficulties and grant success, and the vrat is among the most widely kept monthly observances in Telugu households.

The Moonrise Fast

The defining feature of Sankatahara Chaturthi is that the fast is kept through the day and broken only after sighting the moon (Chandra darshan) in the evening. Devotees worship Ganesha with red flowers, durva grass, modakam or undrallu, and light a lamp; the katha of the day is read, and after the moon rises, arghya (an offering of water) is given to the moon and to Ganesha before the fast is broken. The insistence on moon-sighting distinguishes it from Vinayaka Chaviti, which is observed in the Shukla Paksha and avoids moon-sighting.

Angaraki Sankatahara Chaturthi

When Sankatahara Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday (Mangalavara / Angaraka, ruled by Mars), it is called Angaraki Sankatahara Chaturthi and is considered exceptionally powerful — observing it is said to yield the merit of a full year's Chaturthi vrats. Angaraki Chaturthi occurs only a couple of times a year and draws large crowds to Ganesha temples across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

How to Observe

Bathe and resolve (sankalpa) to keep the vrat in the morning, maintaining a fast (many keep a phalahara / fruit-and-milk fast). In the evening, perform Ganesha puja with sixteen upacharas as far as possible, offer modakam or undrallu, read the Sankatahara Chaturthi katha, and wait for moonrise. Panchangam moon-timing matters here — check the local Chandrodaya (moonrise) time so the fast is broken correctly.