Sankashti Chaturthi February 2026: Your Guide to Tomorrow’s Auspicious Ganesha Fast
Mark your calendars: Devotees across India will observe Sankashti Chaturthi tomorrow, Thursday, February 5, 2026. This monthly festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha is a day for seeking removal of obstacles and inviting prosperity. With its focus on new beginnings, its timing in early February aligns perfectly with the collective desire for a fresh, positive start to the year—a key reason this ancient practice remains deeply relevant in modern lifestyle and spiritual routines.
Key Date and Chaturthi Tithi Timings
The fast is observed during the specific Chaturthi Tithi (fourth day of the waning moon). For this Sankashti Chaturthi in February 2026, the precise window is:
- Chaturthi Tithi Start: 12:10 AM on February 5
- Chaturthi Tithi End: 12:22 AM on February 6
Important Daily Timings (IST, Ujjain)
- Sunrise: 07:09 AM
- Sunset: 06:12 PM
- Moonrise: 09:39 PM (Crucial for breaking the fast)
How to Observe the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat: Rituals Simplified
The Sankashti Chaturthi fast is a blend of devotion and discipline. Here’s a practical breakdown:
- The Fast: Observers undertake a strict or partial fast (upvas). Common foods allowed include fruits, potatoes, peanuts, and sabudana khichadi.
- Evening Puja & Moon Sighting: The core ritual begins after sunset. Devotees decorate a Ganesha idol, offer durva grass, flowers, and light a lamp. The fast is broken only after performing puja and sighting the moon, which is at 9:39 PM.
- Offerings & Prayers: Traditional sweets like modaks are offered. Chanting mantras such as the Ganesha Ashtottara or Vakratunda Mahakaya is considered highly auspicious.
Why This Monthly Festival Matters
Unlike the annual Ganesh Chaturthi, the monthly Sankashti Chaturthi offers a regular spiritual reset. It’s believed that devout observation helps overcome hardships (“Sankashti” means deliverance from difficulties). While the most potent day is Angarki Chaturthi (when it falls on a Tuesday), every monthly observance holds significant value for cleansing obstacles and inviting Ganesha’s blessings of wisdom and success. For many, especially couples seeking parenthood, this vrat holds special importance.
Actionable Takeaways for Devotees
1. Set a reminder for moonrise at 9:39 PM IST—this is when you can break your fast after prayers.
2. Prepare simple, satvik foods like peanut-based dishes for sustenance during the day.
3. Focus on the recitation of even one Ganesha mantra with sincerity; it’s considered more powerful than elaborate rituals performed without devotion.
This Sankashti Chaturthi in February 2026 provides a timely opportunity to pause, pray, and realign with intentions of peace and prosperity for the month ahead. By understanding the tithi timings and embracing the simple rituals, devotees can connect with a tradition designed to turn obstacles into opportunities.
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