Varada Chaturthi

festivals

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

Quick Overview

Date in 2026: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Tithi: Magha Shukla Chaturthi (Purnimanta)
Tithi begins / ends: 02:48 AM, Jan 22 to 02:29 AM, Jan 23
Lunar month: Magha · Shukla Paksha

Select Calendar Year

2026 Festival Date & Muhurta

Varada Chaturthi

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Lunar Month: Magha

Tithi / Muhurta Timings

Tithi Begins:02:48 AM, Jan 22

Tithi Ends:02:29 AM, Jan 23

Varada Chaturthi at a Glance

Varada Chaturthi is fixed by the lunar calendar to Magha Shukla Chaturthi, the 4th tithi of the waxing (Shukla) fortnight of Magha.

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

Magha Shukla Chaturthi in Coming Years

Year	Tithi begins	Tithi ends
2027	02:20 AM, Wed, Feb 10	03:05 AM, Thu, Feb 11
2028	04:44 AM, Sun, Jan 30	07:15 AM, Mon, Jan 31
2029	02:15 AM, Thu, Jan 18	04:18 AM, Fri, Jan 19
2030	08:44 PM, Tue, Feb 5	09:42 PM, Wed, Feb 6
2031	01:38 AM, Sun, Jan 26	12:03 AM, Mon, Jan 27

Panchanga on This Day

Varada Chaturthi · Jan 22, 2026

VaaraGuruvara

TithiShukla Chaturthi02:48 AM → 02:29 AM

NakshatraShatabhisha01:58 PM → 02:27 PM

YogaVariyana

KaranVanija

Lunar MonthMagha

Brahma Muhurta05:26 AM → 06:20 AM

Abhijit Muhurta12:11 PM → 12:54 PM

Nishita Muhurta12:05 AM → 12:59 AM

Rahu Kaal01:52 PM → 03:12 PM

New Delhi, IndiaFull Dainik Panchang →

About Varada Chaturthi

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.