Sakat Chauth

festivals

Also known as: Sankat Chaturthi, Samkata 4, Varada Chaturthi, Varada(Til) 4, Vasudeva Chaturthi

Quick Overview

Date in 2026: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Tithi: Magha Krishna Chaturthi (Purnimanta)
Tithi begins / ends: 08:02 AM, Jan 06 to 06:53 AM, Jan 07
Lunar month: Magha · Krishna Paksha

Select Calendar Year

2026 Festival Date & Muhurta

Sakat Chauth

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Lunar Month: Magha

Tithi / Muhurta Timings

Tithi Begins:08:02 AM, Jan 06

Tithi Ends:06:53 AM, Jan 07

Sakat Chauth at a Glance

Sakat Chauth is fixed by the lunar calendar to Magha Krishna Chaturthi, the 4th tithi of the waning (Krishna) fortnight of Magha (Pausha Krishna Chaturthi in the Amanta calendar).

Tithi rule: Magha Krishna Chaturthi (Purnimanta)Krishna Chaturthi Magha month
Tithi swami and group: Ganesha · Rikta Tithi

Magha Krishna Chaturthi in Coming Years

Year	Tithi begins	Tithi ends
2028	11:18 PM, Fri, Jan 14	08:11 PM, Sat, Jan 15
2029	05:03 PM, Wed, Jan 3	02:50 PM, Thu, Jan 4
2030	07:29 PM, Tue, Jan 22	06:06 PM, Wed, Jan 23

Panchanga on This Day

Sakat Chauth · Jan 6, 2026

VaaraMangalavara

TithiKrishna Chaturthi08:02 AM → 06:53 AM

NakshatraAshlesha01:25 PM → 12:17 PM

YogaPreeti

KaranBava

Lunar MonthPausha

Brahma Muhurta05:25 AM → 06:20 AM

Abhijit Muhurta12:06 PM → 12:47 PM

Nishita Muhurta11:59 PM → 12:54 AM

Rahu Kaal03:03 PM → 04:21 PM

New Delhi, IndiaFull Dainik Panchang →

About Sakat Chauth

Sakat Chauth, also called Sankat Chaturthi, Varada Chaturthi, or Vasudeva Chaturthi, is a monthly and annual fasting day dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. It falls on the Chaturthi (fourth day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha (January—February), and is especially observed by mothers for the health and long life of their children.

The word 'Sakat' signifies difficulties or obstacles, and 'Sankat' means troubles. By observing this fast, devotees believe that Lord Ganesha removes hardships from family life, blesses children, and grants success in new ventures.

On this day, women gather to worship the moon in the evening and listen to the Sakat Chauth Katha. The festival has strong roots in North Indian traditions and is closely associated with the veneration of Ganesha as Vighnaharta.

Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules

Mothers fast from sunrise to moonrise and break their fast after sighting the moon and offering arghya.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

Rise early, bathe, and make a sankalpa to observe the Sakat Chauth fast for the welfare of your children and family.
Abstain from food and water throughout the day; if a full fast is not possible, take only fruits or milk.
In the evening, prepare a small altar for Lord Ganesha with an image or idol, Durva grass, modaks, and laddus.
Worship the moon as it rises, offering arghya (water mixed with akshata and flowers) to Chandra Deva.
Recite the Sakat Chauth Katha and Ganesha stotras, and break the fast after the moon is sighted and prasad is distributed.
Avoid negativity, anger, and gossip; maintain a peaceful and prayerful atmosphere.

Puja Samagri & Ritual Steps

Essential Puja Samagri:

Ganesha idol or imageDurva grassModak or laddu sweetsRed flowersIncense and lampSandalwood paste and kumkumCoconut, fruitsAkshata and water

Puja Procedure:

Place Ganesha on the altar and invoke his presence.
Offer Durva grass, red flowers, and modaks.
Apply tilak and perform arati.
Recite 'Om Gam Ganapataye Namah' 108 times.
Offer arghya to the moon in the evening.
Break the fast with prasad.

Vrat Katha: The Devotee and the Lion

A poor old woman had only a son and lived by the grace of her cow. One day, her son set out to cut grass for the cow and entered a field where a fierce lion dwelled. As the boy did not return by evening, the mother prayed earnestly to Lord Ganesha.

Moved by her devotion, Ganesha appeared, subdued the lion, and returned the boy safely to his mother. The old woman celebrated by preparing modaks and offered them to the Lord. From that day, mothers observe Sakat Chauth to seek Ganesha's protection for their children.