Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi 2024: Know Date, Puja Timings, Vratham Rituals, and Significance

Akhuratha Sankashti Vratham 2024

Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi is a special Chaturthi where people worship Lord Ganesha and is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha or the dark fortnight of every month. Chaturthi is praised on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, Wednesday, which is truly exceptional for the disciples. Even Akhuratha Sankashti is very famous to worship lord Ganesha, the god who helps to eliminate all the barriers and bring wealth and intelligence.

In 2024, the moonrise on Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi is expected at 8:54 PM signifying the time of sleep breakout by the devotees after they have observed fasting moon sighted day. It is believed that, keeping the Sankashti Chaturthi vrat (fast) helps to have a sense of people having peace, prosperity and want free from troubles.

Devotees begin their fast at sunrise and break it after sighting the moon and offering prayers to Lord Ganesha.

The term Sankashti means “freedom from obstacles,” and Akhuratha, an epithet of Lord Ganesha, signifies “one who has a mouse as his vehicle.” Devotees worship Lord Ganesha on this day to overcome challenges in their personal and professional lives.

Sankashti Chaturthi is especially powerful when it falls on a Wednesday, as this day is associated with wisdom and communication—qualities Lord Ganesha embodies. Observing the Akhuratha Sankashti vrat with devotion is said to eliminate karmic burdens, attract good fortune, and provide clarity of thought.

1. Observing the Sankashti Fast: Devotees fast from sunrise until moonrise. While some observe a strict water-only fast, others opt for a partial fast, consuming fruits, milk, or satvik (pure vegetarian) food.
2. Offering Prayers to Lord Ganesha: Akhuratha Sankashti begins with early morning prayers. Devotees chant Ganesha mantras such as the Ganapati Atharvasirsha or the 108 names of Lord Ganesha to invoke his blessings. Special pujas are performed at temples and homes with offerings of durva grass, modaks, and red flowers.
3. Moon Worship (Chandrodaya Puja): After moonrise, devotees sight the moon and offer prayers as part of the Sankashti ritual. A mixture of water, sandalwood paste, and flowers is offered to the moon, and the fast is concluded by consuming prasad.
4. Reading the Sankashti Vrat Katha: Listening to or reading the Sankashti Vrat Katha, a story highlighting Lord Ganesha’s divine intervention to remove obstacles, is an integral part of the ritual.
5. Charity and Acts of Kindness: Charitable acts, such as donating food, clothes, or essentials to those in need, are highly meritorious on this day. These acts amplify the positive energy gained through fasting and prayer.

• Removal of Obstacles: Worshipping Lord Ganesha helps eliminate hurdles in various aspects of life.
• Spiritual Growth: Fasting and prayer cleanse the mind, body, and soul, promoting inner peace.
• Attracting Prosperity: Devotees believe that Ganesha’s blessings bring success and wealth.
• Improved Health and Well-being: The satvik diet and meditation associated with the vrat aid physical and mental wellness.
• Fulfillment of Desires: Devotees often observe this vrat to seek specific blessings, such as success in career, marriage, or education.Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi is a pure day of devotion, penance and meditation of Lord Ganesha. The vrat and the rituals enjoyed with bhakti enables the devotees to get the darshan of the lord and come out unscathed of the difficulties that life thrusts at them.

Take up something spiritually enriching on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 by celebrating Akhuratha Sankashti vrat offering prayer and seeking blessings of Lord Ganesha for guidance. May his blessings eliminate hindrances to your life and advance you towards a life of success and harmony.

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