- India,
- 06-Jan-2026 10:32 AM IST
The sacred fast of Sakat Chauth will be observed on January 6, 2026, Tuesday. This fast falls on the Chaturthi tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha. Mothers primarily observe this fast (either nirjala or with fruits) for the long life, happiness, and protection of their children from all troubles. On this day, special worship is performed for Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.
This fast is also known as Sankashti Chaturthi, Til Chauth, Tilkut Chauth, Maghi Chauth, and in Maharashtra as Lambodar Sankashti. Since it falls on a Tuesday this year, it is also called Angaraki Chaturthi, which is considered highly auspicious.
Sakat Chauth 2026 Date and Muhurat
- Chaturthi Tithi Begins: January 6, 2026, at 08:01 AM
- Chaturthi Tithi Ends: January 7, 2026, at 06:52 AM
- Moonrise Time: Approximately 8:54 PM (may vary slightly by location; e.g., 8:50–9:00 PM in cities like Jaipur or Delhi)
- Auspicious Puja Muhurat: Evening during Godhuli Bela (around sunset)
The fast begins at sunrise and ends after offering arghya to the moon at moonrise.
Sakat Chauth Puja Materials List
Prepare the following items for the puja:
- Idol or picture of Lord Ganesha
- Red or yellow cloth (to spread on the chowki)
- Durva grass (21 blades)
- Roli, akshat, sindoor, chandana
- Til-gud laddoos (tilkut), modak
- Sugarcane, black carrots, sweet potatoes (special winter bhog)
- Fruits, flowers, paan-supari
- Incense, lamp, camphor
- Milk, curd, ghee, honey (for panchamrit)
- Kalash, water mixed with milk and akshat for arghya
- Vrat katha book
Sakat Chauth 2026 Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step)
- Take a bath in the morning, wear clean clothes, and take the sankalpa for the fast.
- In the evening, after bathing again, spread a red cloth on a chowki and install Lord Ganesha’s idol.
- Offer durva, roli, sindoor, and akshat to Lord Ganesha.
- Offer til-gud laddoos, sugarcane, black carrots, and sweet potatoes as bhog.
- Light incense and lamp, and chant mantras.
- Read or listen to the Sakat Chauth vrat katha.
- Perform the aarti.
- At night, when the moon rises, go to an open space or rooftop, worship the moon, and offer arghya with water mixed with milk and akshat.
- After worshipping the moon, consume tilkut prasada and complete the fast.
Sakat Chauth Vrat Katha
Once upon a time, an old woman used to make clay idols of Lord Ganesha daily and worship them, but they would melt away. Nearby, a wealthy merchant’s house was under construction. The old woman asked the masons to make a stone Ganesha for her. The masons refused, saying that for the cost of making her stone idol, they could build a wall instead.
Angered, the old woman said, “May your wall become crooked!” After that, whenever the masons built the wall, it became crooked. They kept rebuilding and demolishing it. By evening, when the merchant arrived, he asked why no progress was made. One mason explained about the old woman and her curse.
The merchant called the old woman and promised to have a golden Ganesha made for her if she would straighten the wall. The merchant got a golden Ganesha crafted for her, and with her blessings, the wall became straight again.
This story shows that devotion to Lord Ganesha removes even the greatest obstacles. O Lord Ganesha, just as you straightened the merchant’s wall, remove everyone’s troubles.
Sakat Chauth Aarti
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva. Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva.
Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari. Mathe sindoor sohe, muse ki sawari.
Paan chadhe, phal chadhe, aur chadhe mewa. Ladduan ka bhog lage, sant karein seva.
Andhan ko aankh det, kodhin ko kaya. Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya.
‘Soor’ Shyam sharan aaye, safal kijai seva. Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva.
Deenan ki laj rakho, Shambhu sutkari. Kamna ko poorn karo, jaaun balihari.
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva. Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva.
Important Mantras
- Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
- Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha. Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Karyeshu Sarvada.
Observing this fast brings happiness for children, good health, and peace in the family. May Lord Ganesha’s blessings remove all obstacles! Jai Ganesh Ji!
