The procedure to observe Sankatahara Chathurthi
Posted on: 09/Jan/2019 5:33:45 PM
In the Hindu Almanac, the days of the month are named and counted as Ththis based on the New Moon Day and the Full Moon Day. The 4th day after the New Moon Day is called ‘chathurthi thithi ‘ (Thithi means day and chathurthi means the 4th one) and is considered ideal for praying Lord Vinayaka,
The ‘Sukla Paksham Chathuthi’ (the growing of the Moon for the fortnight after New Moon Day) is called ‘Vara Chathurthi’ and the Krishan Paksham Chathurthi (The reducing phase of the moon for the fortnight after Full Moon Day) is called ‘Sankatahara Chaturthi’.
The term ‘sankatam’ means trouble or hardship.the other term ‘hara’ means to get rid of. Thus, by praying Lord Vinayaka on the sankatahara chathurthi, we can get rid of all the troubles in our lives. Though there are many sacred days for praying Lord Vinayaka in the Hindu Almanac, ‘Sankatahara Chaturthi’ day is the most ideal occasion to pray Lord Vinayaka.
A compilation of the procedure to observe Sankatahara Chathurthi penance and the benefits to be availed:
On the day of the Sankatahara Chaturthi, chant the slogan on His praise:
‘Mooshika Vahana Mothaka Hasta
Samara Sakarna Vilambitha Soothra
Vamana Roopa Maheswara Puthra
Vigna Vinayaka Padha Namaste’
And pray Lord Vinayaka! All worries will get resolved and one can attain all prosperity and health.
Take bath in the morning, wear clean clothes, visit the One should observe for the whole day. Sanctum sanctorum of Lord Vinayaka in the temple and start the penance. During the evening, visit the temple of Lord Vinayaka and participate in the special Sankatahara Chathurthi Pooja.
By chanting the slogan 21 times during this sacred day, all activities undertaken would be fruitful. Any blocks on the marriage will get removed. Debt problems will get resolved.
‘Om Namo Madhumodhitha Heramba mama sankatam nivaraya nivaraya ‘ this slogan is to be chanted 21 times. Then, perform ‘Sashtanga Namskaram’ (Ensuring lying flat on the ground with the chest touching the floor with the full stretch of the body on the floor) 21 times.
Offer Lord Vinayaka a divine Naivedhyam of 2 coconuts, fruits, 21 momos (steamed balls made from rice flour, known as ‘kozhukkattai’ in Tamil – a favourite dish of Lord Vinayaka).
Then return home and once the moon comes up, pray on it.
After this, pray on the deity or the picture of Lord Vinayaka kept in the Pooja or prayer room/section of the house. With this, the penance ends. After this prayer, meals can be taken and thus get the penance completed. Keeping praying Lord Vinayaka throughout this day will bring all good benefits!
