Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi will be observed on Monday, August 31, 2026, with devotees observing a fast and offering prayers to Lord Ganesha. The occasion is associated with Heramba Maha Ganpati, a distinctive form of Lord Ganesha, and falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi.
According to the supplied Panchang timings for Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, the Chaturthi Tithi begins at 8:51 AM on August 31 and ends at 7:42 AM on September 1. The Moon is scheduled to rise at 8:36 PM on August 31, an important time for devotees who traditionally conclude the Sankashti fast after moonrise and worship.
Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi Date
Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi is observed as part of the monthly Sankashti Chaturthi vrat dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The observance falls on the fourth lunar day of Krishna Paksha.
The month in which the festival is identified can differ according to the lunar calendar followed in different parts of India. Under the Amavasyant calendar, the observance is associated with Shravana Krishna Paksha, while in the Purnimant calendar, commonly followed in northern India, it falls under Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha.
Regardless of the calendar nomenclature, the Chaturthi Tithi and local Panchang determine the timing of the observance.
Heramba Chaturthi Timings
For Ujjain, the supplied Panchang gives the following timings for August 31:
- Festival date: Monday, August 31, 2026
- Sunrise: 6:12 AM
- Sunset: 6:41 PM
- Chaturthi Tithi begins: 8:51 AM, August 31
- Chaturthi Tithi ends: 7:42 AM, September 1
- Moonrise: 8:36 PM, August 31
The Moonrise timing is particularly relevant for devotees following the traditional Sankashti Chaturthi practice of breaking the fast after sighting the Moon.
These timings are specific to Ujjain and can vary for other cities. Devotees should therefore consult a local Panchang before performing time-sensitive rituals.
Fasting And Puja Rituals
Devotees generally begin the Sankashti Chaturthi vrat after sunrise. The fasting method varies according to individual and family traditions. Some devotees observe a strict fast, while others consume permitted foods such as fruits or preparations made with sabudana.
The main puja is generally performed in the evening. Devotees worship Lord Ganesha and offer prayers to the Moon after moonrise.
During the puja, the Ganesha idol may be decorated with Durva grass and flowers. A diya is lit, followed by prayers and aarti. Offerings such as modak, banana and coconut may be presented as naivedya.
After the prescribed evening rituals and Moon worship, devotees traditionally conclude the fast and distribute prasad among family members.
Heramba Ganpati Significance
Heramba Maha Ganpati is a distinctive form of Lord Ganesha described in Hindu religious tradition. Heramba Ganpati is traditionally depicted with five faces and ten arms.
This form of Ganesha is associated with strength, protection and the ability to overcome difficulties. Devotees observing Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi traditionally seek Ganesha's blessings for protection, courage and the removal of obstacles.
The Sankashti observance itself is widely associated with the belief that devotion and fasting can help devotees overcome challenges. Worshippers may spend the day in prayer, meditation and recitation of Ganesha-related devotional texts.
Ganesha Mantras And Prayers
Devotees may recite traditional prayers dedicated to Lord Ganesha during the Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi vrat.
The supplied reference mentions Ganesha Ashtothara and Sankashtnashana Stothra among the prayers considered auspicious for the observance.
The choice of mantra, stotra or prayer can vary according to family traditions and regional practices. Devotees may therefore follow the prayers traditionally recited in their household or community.
Moonrise And Vrat Parana
Moonrise has special importance during Sankashti Chaturthi because many devotees observe the fast until the Moon becomes visible.
For Ujjain, the supplied information lists 8:36 PM as the Moonrise time on August 31. After sighting the Moon, devotees traditionally offer water and prayers before worshipping Lord Ganesha and concluding the fast.
The exact Moonrise time changes with geographical location. People observing the vrat outside Ujjain should use their city's Panchang rather than applying the Ujjain timing directly.
Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi 2026
Heramba Sankashti Chaturthi will be observed on August 31, 2026. The Chaturthi Tithi begins at 8:51 AM on August 31 and continues until 7:42 AM on September 1 according to the supplied Ujjain Panchang.
The Moonrise is listed at 8:36 PM, making the evening period significant for devotees who follow the traditional moon-sighting method of concluding the fast.
Festival dates, tithi timings and fasting procedures can vary according to location, Panchang calculation and family tradition. Devotees should check the local Panchang before deciding the precise time for puja and vrat parana.
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