What is Sakat Chauth Vrat Festival | When is Sakat Chauth Vrat Festival | Sakat Chauth Puja Time, Rituals and Method 2025

Sakat Chauth Vrat Festival

Sakat Chauth Vrat Festival is followed (Sakat Chauth Story) on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu Calendar month of Magh. This month generally coincides with January month of the Gregorian calendar.

Fast is observed on each Krishna Paksha Chaturthi but the Chaturthi in the month of Magh has special importance so it is called Sakat Chauth or Maghi Chaturthi. On Sakat Chauth Vrat Festival Lord Ganesha and Goddess Sakat are worshiped.

Also, Lord Chandra or Moon is worshiped on this day. It is also called as Til Kut Chauth, Sankashti Chaturthi, Vakratunda Chaturthi.

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Sakat Chauth Vrat Festival Story

It is said that (sakat Chauth story) on the day of Sakat Chaturthi, Lord Ganesh and Lord Kartikeya were contesting. They were contesting to save the Devatas. They were not able to reach any conclusion.

Seeing this, Lord Shiva put them to the test. He said that the one who would pass the test would be given a chance to save Devatas. The test was to complete one circulation around the earth.

The one who would finish the revolution fast shall pass the test. The moment Lord Kartikeya heard the test he sat on his vehicle Mor or Peacock and went off to complete the revolution first.

While on the other hand, Lord Ganesha took a bath. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were worried about how he complete one revolution on his slowest vehicle, Chuha or Rat.

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After bath Lord Ganesh sat on his vehicle and circumambulated his parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva said that whoever visits you on this day on Sakat Chauth shall be blessed with all the goodness.

Another tale states that long ago a potter lived in a village who made beautiful pots. He used to harden them in a kiln. However, one day the pots were not hardened. He tried many times.

But the kiln would not ripen the pots. He went to the king and shared his story. The king consulted a royal Pandit or Priest. He suggested that every time the kiln is lit, a Bali or sacrifice of one child of the potter is given.

Every time the kiln was lit, a child was sacrificed. There was an old lady who had only one child. She thought that her son was her old age support.

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The old women were an ardent devotee of Goddess Sakat. She decided to give her betel nut of Sakat. She told her son that take this betel nut and then only sit in the kiln.

Just keep faith in the Goddess Sakat. The child was kept in the kiln and lit. The kiln was lit and made for a hardening pot. That night the kiln was lit the whole night. The next day morning a man went to open the kiln.

He was surprised to see that not only the pots were hardened but also the child was safe. After this incident, everybody started believing in Goddess Sakat.

The Sakat Chauth Vrat Festival (Sakat Chauth Vrat Story) is celebrated for to commemorate Goddess Sakat. Mothers worship this goddess to save their children from any Sankat or trouble.     

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Sakat Chauth Vrat Festival Puja Timing and Method

On this day devotees follow a day-long fast. Many times this is a Nirjala Vrat or fasting with a drop of water. In the evening at the moon rises, everyone worships the moon and then breaks the whole day’s fast.

Generally, til-kut which is made of sesame, ground nut powder, and jaggery. People bathe early in the morning, wear clean clothes put flowers, rice, vermillion, and water in their palms, and do Sankalp or promise that they will follow the fast with utmost sincerity.

The whole day-long fast is broken after the main Puja is done. The main Puja is done in the evening after the moon rises. Lord Moon is worshiped and done aarti. People pray to Lord Moon and chant some prayers.

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People pray to god to take away all the problems and accept their offerings. After Lord Moon, Lord Ganesha is prayed.

He is bathed in hot water then Panchamrit which is a mixture of milk, honey, sugar, ghee, and curd. After that, Lord Ganesha is wearing good and new clothes. It specially offered Lord Ganesha Durva and lots of flowers.

Then people give some offerings such as flowers and 5 laddus as Dakshina or offerings to take away the problems.

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Apart from this modak, which is most favorite of Lord Ganesha should be offered. On Sakat Chauth these laddus are made of jaggery and sesame.

They have very special importance on this day. After all these offerings, devotees should listen to Chaturthi Vrat’s Story. Then chant aarti which is a special song in praise of god for Lord Ganesha.

Then the image of Lord Ganesha, offerings, and Kalash is given to a Purohit or a priest. After all this ritual, everyone sits together and then breaks the fast.

While performing this whole Puja, the devotee should face northward. In no instance, they should show back to Lord Ganesha.

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Common Beliefs of Sakat Chauth Vrat Festival

This fast is followed so that all the ill fate or Sankat is waded away. Lord Ganesh who is known as Vighnaharta or the one who takes away all the problems is pleased by this fast.

It is believed that worshipping the Moon and Lord Ganesh of this day fulfills all the wishes. If Lord Ganesha is pleased, then he can take away all the problems of Sankat faced by the devotees.

It is also said that this fast is followed for the long life of one’s son. Fasting on this day brings peace and prosperity. Worshiping Lord Moon on this day is equivalent to worshipping Lord Ganesha.

It is also said that women observing this fast are blessed with children.

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Special Food items prepared on Sakat Chauth Vrat Festival

Though this is not a big festival, still it has some special food items prepared on the day. Til, gud or jaggery, shakarkandi/sweet potato and fruits have special importance on this day.

People should eat only fruits, vegetables, and root plants throughout the day for the fast. Peanuts, Potatoes, and Sabudana khichadi are consumed to mark this fast.

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Sakat Chauth Vrat Festival: FAQ

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About Author

Geeta Vashisht

I am a freelance reporter with Bharat Sanssar based in Delhi, covering Religion and Religious news articles. I write about religious occasions and religious events around the world.

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