Sankashti Chaturthi 2018: Significance and Vrat timings

New Delhi: Lord Vignharta's special day, also known as Sankashti Chaturthi, falls every month and is observed by keeping a strict fast which is broken only after looking at the auspicious moon as per Hindu calendar.

The day is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the supreme lord of intelligence and the symbol of remover of obstacles. Devotees of Lord Ganpati believe that by observing this fast, all their obstacles get removed.

Even though this auspicious day is observed every month, the most important Sankashti Chaturthi falls in the month of Magha according to Purnimant School and in the month of Paush according to Amavasyant School. Moreover, the day is even more auspicious if it falls on a Tuesday or Friday. This time it's falling on January 5, 2018, which is a Friday, making it more special.

The day is widely celebrated in Western and Southern India, especially in the state of Maharashtra where one of the main festivals of Ganesh Chaturthi is an eleven-day long festival.

The timings of Moon Rise for Sankashti Chaturthi falling in January  2018 is as follows:

   Date                       Moon Rise Timings

5 January (Friday)     21:23 (9.00 PM)