Angarki Chaturthi 2025: Unique Significance of Sankashti Vrat
By Pt. Sanjeev Sharma
Rituals, Puja Vidhi, Legends and Importance of Ganesh Worship
Table of Contents
Sankashti Chaturthi, also called Sankatahara Chaturthi or Ganesh Sankashti Chaturthi, is a deeply significant occasion devoted to Lord Ganesha and observed every month on the Chaturthi Tithi of Krishna Paksha, the 4th lunar day after the full moon. It is believed that observing this vrata removes obstacles, cleanses sins, grants wisdom and ensures prosperity and stability.
Two types of Chaturthi are observed in the lunar calendar:
- The first Chaturthi after Purnima, falling in Krishna Paksha, known as Sankashti Chaturthi.
- The Chaturthi after Amavasya, occurring in Shukla Paksha, called Vinayak Chaturthi.
Among these, when Sankashti Chaturthi coincides with a Tuesday, it becomes Angarki Chaturthi. Tuesdays are governed by Angaraka (Mars), symbolizing courage, strength and discipline. The fusion of Lord Ganesha’s grace with Mars’ energy makes Angarki Chaturthi the most auspicious and spiritually powerful of all Sankashti Chaturthi days.
Sankashti and Angarki Chaturthi Dates in 2025
For the year 2025, twelve Sankashti Chaturthi fasts will be observed. Of these, August 12, 2025 (Tuesday), is unique because it is Angarki Chaturthi. It falls under Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha Chaturthi.
| Date | Day | Month & Tithi | Moonrise | Tithi Begins | Tithi Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 17, 2025 | Friday | Magha, Krishna Chaturthi | 08:31 PM | Jan 17, 4:06 AM | Jan 18, 5:30 AM |
| Feb 16, 2025 | Sunday | Phalguna, Krishna Chaturthi | 08:54 PM | Feb 15, 11:52 PM | Feb 17, 2:15 AM |
| Mar 17, 2025 | Monday | Chaitra, Krishna Chaturthi | 08:29 PM | Mar 17, 7:33 PM | Mar 18, 10:09 PM |
| Apr 16, 2025 | Wednesday | Vaishakha, Krishna Chaturthi | 09:06 PM | Apr 16, 1:16 PM | Apr 17, 3:23 PM |
| May 16, 2025 | Friday | Jyeshtha, Krishna Chaturthi | 09:44 PM | May 16, 4:02 AM | May 17, 5:13 AM |
| Jun 14, 2025 | Saturday | Ashadha, Krishna Chaturthi | 09:15 PM | Jun 14, 3:46 PM | Jun 15, 3:51 PM |
| Jul 14, 2025 | Monday | Shravana, Krishna Chaturthi | 09:10 PM | Jul 14, 1:02 AM | Jul 14, 11:59 PM |
| Aug 12, 2025 | Tuesday | Bhadrapada, Krishna Chaturthi (*Angarki*) | 08:20 PM | Aug 12, 8:40 AM | Aug 13, 6:35 AM |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Wednesday | Ashwin, Krishna Chaturthi | 07:31 PM | Sep 10, 3:37 PM | Sep 11, 12:45 PM |
| Oct 10, 2025 | Friday | Kartika, Krishna Chaturthi | 07:44 PM | Oct 9, 10:54 PM | Oct 10, 7:38 PM |
| Nov 8, 2025 | Saturday | Margashirsha, Krishna Chaturthi | 07:32 PM | Nov 8, 7:32 AM | Nov 9, 4:25 AM |
| Dec 7, 2025 | Sunday | Pausha, Krishna Chaturthi | 07:26 PM | Dec 7, 6:24 PM | Dec 8, 4:03 PM |
This makes August 12, 2025 the most sacred Sankashti fast of the year.
Special Importance of Angarki Chaturthi
- Fusion of Mars and Ganesha Energy: Mars symbolizes determination, vigor and courage, while Ganesha is known as the remover of all obstacles. Their combined influence makes this day potent for spiritual upliftment.
- Spiritual Multiplier Effect: Scriptures suggest that observing fast and puja on Angarki Chaturthi grants merit equivalent to observing twelve usual Sankashti fasts.
- Material and Spiritual Blessings: Those who fast gain clarity of mind, improved financial well-being, protection from illnesses and fulfillment of ambitions.
- Family and Social Prosperity: It brings balance, harmony and better relations in family and society at large.
Rituals and Practices on Angarki Chaturthi
- Morning Sacred Bath: Devotees begin with a holy bath before sunrise, symbolizing purification of body, mind and energy fields. This prepares them spiritually for the demanding fast.
- Day-Long Fasting: The fast lasts from sunrise until moonrise. Many strictly abstain from any food, while some consume fruits, nuts or vrat-specific items such as sabudana khichdi or boiled potatoes. Salt, grains and usual meals are avoided.
- Evening Ganesh Puja: Puja involves chanting Ganapati Atharvashirsha, offering durva grass, red flowers, modaks, coconuts and other naivedyam. Ganesh aarti is performed in households and temples, often with bhajans and collective prayers.
- Moonrise and Fast Conclusion: Devotees eagerly wait for the moonrise (around 8:20 PM in 2025). At moonrise, water and milk are offered in Arghya to Chandra Dev, after which the fast is broken with Ganesh prasada.
- Sacred Symbols: Believers wear or keep with them Ganesha yantras, pendants or even Eight-faced Rudraksha beads to stay connected with divine power.
The Legend Behind Angarki Chaturthi
The festival recalls the episode of Ganesha and Kartikeya competing for a divine fruit of wisdom and immortality. While Kartikeya circumambulated the entire earth, Ganesha simply offered circumambulations to his parents, Shiva and Parvati, declaring them his world. This wisdom delighted the parents and he received the fruit, along with the title of Pratham Pujya. It establishes devotion, respect, intelligence and gratitude as supreme qualities.
Symbolic Meaning of Ganesh and His Vehicle
Ganesha’s vehicle, the mouse, represents insecurity, fear, endless desires and restless nature of mind. Ganesha’s mastery over it signifies control over desires, steadying of the wandering mind and awakening of the Muladhara chakra. The symbolism inspires devotees to overcome fear and distractions to reach stability in life.
Life Lessons from Angarki Chaturthi
The central message of Angarki Chaturthi is to abide by dharma through gratitude, respect to parents, humility and sustained devotion. It reassures that material and spiritual successes go hand in hand when one follows faith, discipline and surrender.
Essence of Angarki Chaturthi 2025
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 will mark the unique Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi. As the most auspicious and spiritually elevated Sankashti of the year, it inspires observances of strict fasting, Ganesh puja, chanting, charity and faith. Its significance multiplies spiritual energy, bestows divine protection and guides devotees to inner strength, outward progress and holistic well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What makes Angarki Chaturthi so unique among other Sankashti Chaturthi?
A: It falls on a Tuesday, the day ruled by Mars (Angaraka). It combines Mars’ energy of courage with Ganesha’s blessings, multiplying its spiritual potency.
Q2: When is Angarki Chaturthi in 2025?
A: It will be observed on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, during Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha.
Q3: How should devotees observe the Angarki Chaturthi fast?
A: The fast lasts from sunrise until moonrise. Only fruits, milk or fasting items like sabudana are consumed. The fast is ended after sighting the moon and offering arghya.
Q4: What offerings are made during Ganesh Puja on this day?
A: Offerings include durva grass, red flowers, modaks, coconuts, fruits and special prayers and chanting of Ganapati Atharvashirsha.
Q5: What benefits are associated with Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi?
A: Observing this vrat eliminates obstacles, removes sins, ensures peace, prosperity, health and delivers blessings equivalent to twelve normal Sankashti fasts.
