Lord Ganesha is worshipped on this day.
Sankashti Chaturthi is considered as one of the most sacred and auspicious days.
Sankashti Chaturthi, also known as Gajanana Sankashti Chaturthi, has a great religious significance among the Hindus. It is dedicated to worship Lord Ganesha. Kashi’s astrologer Chakrapati Bhatt explains the date of Gajanana Sankashti Chaturthi and the puja muhurat. Sankashti Chaturthi is considered as one of the most sacred and auspicious days. Lord Ganesha is worshipped on this day by the devotees; they fast and seek blessings from Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles and bring good fortune. This day occurs every month on the 4th day of Krishna paksha. In the month of Sawan, Gajanana Sankashti Chaturthi falls today, on July 24, 2024. Three auspicious coincidences or yogas occur on the day of Gajanana Sankashti Chaturthi.
Sawan Chaturthi- is considered as the first day of Chaturthi during the Sawan month, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is an important occasion for devotees who seek the blessings of the Lord for overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
Coincidence with the Moon’s position- Chaturthi tithi starts on July 24 and the moonrise will occur on this day, while the tithi is still Chaturthi. This alignment is considered highly auspicious for performing rituals and offering prayers to Lord Ganesha, as it promises that the fast is observed correctly.
Arghya offering- For the fast to be considered complete and successful, devotees must offer arghya to the moon. On the first Chaturthi of Sawan, this offering is made on July 24, when the moonrise coincides with the Chaturthi tithi. This ritual ensures the fact’s usefulness and is an important part of the observance.
According to the Vedic calendar, the Chaturthi tithi of the Krishna paksha in the sawan month starts on July 24 at 7:30 AM and ends on July 25 at 4:39 AM. Although the tithi changes to Tritiya in the morning of July 25, it will end at 7:30 AM on July 24. Since the moonrise occurs on July 24 during the Chaturthi tithi and changes to Panchami on July 25, the offering of the arghya to the moon should be done on July 24.
For Ganjana Sankashti Chaturthi in 2024, these two specific periods should be taken into consideration as well:
Bhadra- is an inauspicious period that occurs in the Hindu calendar, which lasts for a few hours. During this time, essential rituals and customs are generally avoided. For July 24, 2024, Bhadra will begin in the morning and will end before the Chaturthi tithi ends. It is regarded to complete important rituals, including Ganesh puja and offering arghya to the moon, after Bhadra ends.
Panchami- The Panchami tithi will begin on July 25, 2024 at 4:39 Am. Since the Chaturthi tithi links with the beginning of Panchami, it is necessary to complete all the rituals related to Chaturthi before this transition to confirm the fast and the puja are observed correctly.