Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi
| Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi | |
|---|---|
 Ganesha | |
| Observed by | Hindus |
| Type | Maharashtra Hindu |
| Celebrations | Fast and Pooja |
| Date | Krishna paksha chaturthi in Hindu lunar calendar coming on Tuesday (fourth day of the dark half of moon’s cycle during Every month), decided by Hindu calendar (lunar calendar) |
| 2015 date | 1 September |
Angaraki Chaturth (अंगारिका चतुर्थी) is a Sankashti Chaturthi falling on Tuesday. It is considered highly auspicious among all Sankashti Chaturthi days.
Sankashti Chaturthi (संकष्टी चतुर्थी) also known as Sankata Hara Chaturthi is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This day is celebrated in every Lunar month or Hindu calendar month on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (dark lunar phase or the waning phase).[1]
History
According to Hindu teachings, Angarak the son of Mother Earth and Bharadwaj Rishi, was an accomplished rishi and a great devotee of Lord Ganesha. He worshipped Lord Ganesha and sought his blessings. On Magh Krishna Chaturthi (the day was Tuesday), Lord Ganesha blessed him and asked him for a wish. Angarak expressed that his only wish was to be associated with Lord Ganesha’s name for forever. The Lord granted his wish and proclaimed that whoever worships Lord Ganesha on Angarika Chaturthi will be granted all that he/ she prays for. From that day onwards, Magh Krishna Chaturthi came to be known as Angarak Chaturthi.
Details
On the day of Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi, the devotees observe strict fast from morning till evening. They break the fast at night after having darshan/auspicious sight of the moon preceded by prayers and pooja of Lord Ganesha. The Angarki Chaturthi (angarak in Sanskrit means red like burning coal ambers) Devotees believe their wishes would be fulfilled if they pray on this auspicious day. The fast of Sankashti Chaturthi is generally started from the day "Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi". Also Angarki Sankashti means deliverance during troubled times, hence observing this fast is believed to reduce your problems as Lord Ganesha symbolizes the remover of all obstacles and supreme lord of intelligence. Before moonlight the Ganapati Atharvashesha is recited to summon the blessings of Lord Ganesha.
Legend
Traditional stories tell that Lord Ganesha was created by goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva. Parvati created Ganesha out of sandalwood paste that she used for her bath and breathed life into the figure. She then set him to stand guard at her door while she bathed. Lord Shiva returned and, as Ganesha didn't know him, he didn't allow him to enter. Lord Shiva became enraged and asked his follower ghosts to teach the child some manners. Ganesha was very powerful, being born of Parvati, the embodiment of shakti (or power). He defeated the ghost-followers (called "Ghanas") and declared nobody was allowed to enter while his mother was bathing. The sage of heavens, Narada, along with the Saptarshi (the seven wise rishis) sensed a growing turmoil and went to appease the boy with no results. Angered, the king of Gods, Indra attacked the boy with his entire heavenly army but even they didn't stand a chance. By then, this issue had become a matter of pride for Parvathi and Shiva.
Shiva became angry and cut off Ganesha's head as He thought Ganesha was an outsider.
When Parvathi came to know of this she was really angry. To console her grief, Shiva ordered his servants to cut off and bring to him the head of any creature that might be sleeping with its head facing north. The servants went on their mission and found only an elephant in that position. The sacrifice was thus made and the elephant's head was brought before Shiva. The Lord then joined the elephant's head onto the body of Ganesha.
Lord Shiva made his son worthy of worship at the beginning of all undertakings, marriages, expeditions, studies, etc.
References
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