Sakat Chauth Vrat Katha, Rituals, and Fasting Guide

Sakat Chauth Vrat Katha, Rituals, and Fasting Guide

Sakat Chauth, also known as Sankat Chauth or Maghi Chauth, is a significant day dedicated to the worship of Goddess Sakat and Lord Ganesha. This auspicious occasion, observed on the Krishna Paksha Chaturthi during the month of Magh, holds special importance for mothers, who fast and pray for the well-being and longevity of their children.

The rituals and traditions associated with Sakat Chauth are deeply rooted in faith and devotion, and the day is also marked by the retelling of the Sakat Chauth Vrat Katha, a powerful story that underscores the benevolence and grace of Goddess Sakat.

Long ago, in a small village, there lived a potter renowned for his craftsmanship. One year, his clay pots failed to harden in the kiln despite several attempts. Troubled by this unusual occurrence, the potter sought help from the king. The king, in turn, consulted the royal priest (Rajpurohit), who suggested a drastic solution: to sacrifice a child each time the kiln was prepared.

Following the king’s decree, families in the village reluctantly offered one child each time the kiln was lit. This continued until it was the turn of an elderly woman, whose only son was her sole support in her old age. The day of sacrifice coincided with Sakat Chauth, and the old woman, an ardent devotee of Goddess Sakat, was devastated at the thought of losing her child.

With unwavering faith, she handed her son a betel nut and a dub ka beeda (a sacred grass offering), instructing him to pray to Goddess Sakat for protection while inside the kiln. As the boy sat in the kiln, the old woman began her prayers, fasting and worshipping Goddess Sakat with all her heart.

Miraculously, the kiln, which usually took days to harden the pots, was ready overnight. When the potter opened the kiln the next morning, he was astonished to find not only the old woman’s son alive and unharmed but also all the other children who had previously been sacrificed. This miraculous event highlighted the compassion and divine power of Goddess Sakat.

The villagers, overwhelmed with gratitude, began worshipping Goddess Sakat, recognising her as a protector of children. Since then, mothers have observed Sakat Chauth to seek the goddess’s blessings for their children’s safety and well-being.

Rituals of Sakat Chauth

On Sakat Chauth, mothers observe a strict fast and perform rituals dedicated to Goddess Sakat and Lord Ganesha. Here are some key rituals of the day:

• Morning Preparations: Devotees wake up early, take a bath, and clean their homes. A sacred area is prepared for worship, adorned with idols or pictures of Goddess Sakat and Lord Ganesha.
• Fasting: Mothers abstain from food and water until moonrise. The fast is observed with utmost devotion to seek blessings for their children.
• Worship of Goddess Sakat: Offerings such as betel nuts, dub ka beeda (sacred grass), and sweets are made to the goddess. Devotees light lamps and recite prayers or the Sakat Chauth Vrat Katha.
• Worship of Lord Ganesha: Lord Ganesha is also worshipped on this day for prosperity and happiness in the family.
• Moonrise Ritual: The fast is broken after sighting the moon. Devotees offer water (arghya) and prayers to the moon as part of the rituals.

This sacred day serves as a reminder of the divine intervention that saved the children in the Vrat Katha, instilling hope and trust in the hearts of devotees.

By observing Sakat Chauth with devotion, mothers pray not only for their children’s safety but also for their overall happiness and success in life. The rituals and fasting associated with this day continue to inspire faith and reverence for generations.

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