Sankatahara Chaturthi - Releive from Magalik and Kuja dosha

Lord Ganesha is the first God and he is the God of knowledge. Lord Ganesha is worshipped before the beginning of all actions including any new rituals. The name "Vigneshwara" is known to remove the hardest of all obstacles [Vigna] and allow success to his deities. According to each lunar month in Hindu calendar has two Chaturthi Tithis. The one after Purnimasi or full moon during Krishna Paksha is known as Sankashti Chaturthi and the one after Amavasya or new moon during Shukla Paksha is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi.

Sankata Hara Chaturthi or Sankashti Chaturthi or Sankat Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on the Chaturthi or Chavithi, Sankashtahara Ganapathi Vratam is the best and most affective among all types of worship done to Lord Ganesh. Specific day to do this Vrata is known to occur only once in approximately seven years. The occurrence is a rare combination and a simultaneous incidence of Magha masa, Krishna paksha (fortnight before the new moon day), Chaturthi tithi, Tuesday, and the time of Rise of moon.

According to Ganesha Purana, Lord Ganapathi is worshipped in two forms.

• Varada Ganapathi
• Sankashtahara Ganapathi

Varada Ganapathi

Worship to Lord Ganapathi is famous in this form as we all worship him on Ganesh Chaturthi (Vinayaka Chavithi) every year. Lord Ganapathi worshiped in this form blesses his devotees with all their desires. He is also famous as Siddhi Ganapathi or Vara Siddhi Ganapathi.

Sankatahara Ganapathi

Lord Ganapathi worshipped in this form relieves us from all fears. He was worshiped by kuja (Mars) and he relieves from Kuja Dosha (Manglik Dosha) present in our horoscope. Sankashtahara Ganapathi was worshiped by Lord Yama and he also destroys the effect of sins in one's life.

It is said that Shukla Chaturthi is important for the worship of Varada Ganapathi and Krishna Chaturthi (Bahula Chavithi) is important for worship of Sankashtahara Ganapathi. Krishna Chaturthi along with Tuesday is more significant. This is called Angaraka Chaturthi or Bhauma Chaturthi these days occur just twice or thrice in a year. But these days which happen to be in Magha masa are very very rare.

Myth of Ganesha

Legend has it that Parvati created Ganesha out of the sandalwood dough that she used for her bath and breathed life into him. Letting him stand guard at the door she went to have her bath. When her husband, Shiva returned, the child who had never seen him stopped him. Shiva severed the head of the child and entered his house. Parvati, learning that her son was dead, was distraught and asked Shiva to revive him. Shiva cut off the head of an elephant and fixed it on the body of Ganesha.

Benefits of Sankatahara Chaturthi

Ganesha is the god of wisdom and prosperity and is invoked before the beginning of any auspicious work. It is believed that for the fulfillment of one's desires, his blessing is absolutely necessary. According to the mythology, he is the son of Shiva and Parvati, brother of Kartikeya - the general of the gods, Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and Saraswati-the goddess of learning. There are numerous stories in Hindu mythology, associated with the birth of this elephant-headed god, whose vehicle is the Mooshak or rat and who loves Modaks (droplet shaped Indian sweet).

In the word gana, ga stands for intellect (buddhi) and na means Vaijnaana (the higher knowledge or wisdom). Ganapathi is the Lord of the intellect and higher knowledge. Vinayaka is the master of every kind of knowledge. Learning is related to the intellect (buddhi). It is not mere scholarship.

The benefits and uses of Sankatahara Ganapathi Vrata are clearly depicted in Ganesha Purana as stories. Among them: Being blessed with children, getting rid of the sin of Brahmahatya, getting rid of handicap, getting rid of Kuja Dosha (Manglik Dosha), to be become a king, cure of leprosy, to be free from slavery, control of anger, to escape from unexpected sudden ďeath, to get cured of TB, to be blessed with true knowledge, to get back lost articles, being blessed with one's desires, victory in war, blessings of Guru, vitality etc.. But many of the above mentioned benefits are not essential for many people in present generation. So devotees who worship Lord Ganesha do this Vrata to get rid of the obstacles for marriages, to be blessed with children, to meet lost relatives and to get relieved of all bad effects in their horoscope. This great Vrata which has immense benefits can be fruitful if done just for one day and gives a place in Ganesha loka.

"WHO KNOWS" what may be the situation when this great and precious day comes again. So let us make use of our excellent fortune to get close to our spiritual goals by doing this Sankatahara Ganapathi Vrata. Let us be blessed by the son of Sakthi who has Shakti !

Devotees of Lord Ganesh believe that if a person who observes Sankshta Chathurthi varat would collect lot of virtues. The person goes directly to the Swanand-loka (holly palace) where he can enjoy the prosperity and blessings of the Lord. There is a strong belief in Hinduism that a person takes seven births before she/he gets Moksha (salvation) but, the person who will do the Sankashta-Chathurthi will go Ganesh loka or Swanand loka directly and his rebirth will be stopped. If you want to lead a life of happiness, free from troubles and difficulties, you have to pray to Ganapathi, the remover of all obstacles. Breaking coconuts is considered auspicious on Ganesh Chaturthi as when it is smashed on the floor it absorbs the negative energy from the atmosphere and thus ensuring your success henceforth in every venture you undertake. When you make proper use of your inherent intelligence and wisdom, you will be successful in life.