Lambodar Sankashti Chaturthi 2026: Vrat and Puja Timings

When And How Will Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi 2026 Be Observed

Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi in 2026 will be observed on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. This sacred fast is dedicated to Lord Ganesha in His Lambodara form, who is especially revered for wisdom, strength, patience and the removal of obstacles from life. On this day devotees observe a day long Sankashti fast, worship in the evening and complete the vrata only after the rising of the moon.

According to the Hindu Panchang, the Chaturthi Tithi will be in effect from 08:01 am on 6 January 2026 until 06:52 am on 7 January 2026. The practical focus of the fast is on the time of moonrise. For Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi 2026 the moon is expected to rise at 08:54 pm, so devotees will break their fast only after sighting the moon, offering arghya and praying to Lord Ganesha for wisdom, inner strength and freedom from obstacles.

Auspicious Timings For Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi 2026

Understanding the main timings of this vrat makes it easier to follow Sankashti in a disciplined way. The flow of the day revolves around Chaturthi Tithi, moonrise and the rhythm of the fast.

Detail	Time And Date
Vrat Date	Tuesday, 6 January 2026
Chaturthi Tithi Begins	6 January 2026, 08:01 am
Chaturthi Tithi Ends	7 January 2026, 06:52 am
Sankashti Fasting Period	From sunrise on 6 January until moonrise
Moonrise Time	Around 08:54 pm
Time For Breaking The Fast	After moon sighting, arghya and Ganesha puja

With these timings devotees can take a clear sankalpa in the morning and arrange the day accordingly. In the evening they prepare for the special worship of Lord Lambodara and spend the time around moonrise in mantra chanting, bhajans and listening to the vrata katha.

Why Is Moonrise So Important On Sankashti Chaturthi

The Sankashti Chaturthi fast is considered complete only with moon darshan. Until the rising of the moon, the vrata remains in progress. That is why the moonrise time holds such deep importance on this day and devotees wait for it with patience and devotion.

At moonrise devotees offer arghya to the moon with clean water, invoke peace and stability of mind and then bow to Lord Ganesha. It is believed that worship done at this time helps to remove obstacles, ease delays and lighten the mental load. The moon symbolises coolness, emotional balance and inner calm. therefore Sankashti worship performed at moonrise is said to bring peace to the mind, harmony to the family and stability to one’s efforts.

How To Observe The Lambodara Sankashti Vrat

On Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi devotees wake up early, bathe and take a firm vow to observe the fast. In this vrata many people keep a strict fast throughout the day, while others follow phalahara with fruits and simple sattvic items. Some devotees take only water, fruits or light fruit based food and avoid grains altogether. The essential spirit is to keep the body restrained and the mind engaged in remembrance of Lord Ganesha.

During the day people continue with their duties while inwardly repeating Ganesha mantras. Towards evening they bathe again, wear clean clothes and prepare the altar for worship. The image or idol of Lord Lambodara is placed on a clean cloth. Lamps, incense and offerings are arranged. As moonrise approaches, devotees shift their focus fully to puja, kirtan and chanting while inwardly waiting for the blessed moment of moon darshan.

Detailed Puja Vidhi For Lambodara Sankashti

In the evening, as Chaturthi Tithi continues, devotees perform a special puja for Lord Lambodara. The worship may be done in a complete shodashopachara manner or as a simple heartfelt ritual. The essential steps can be understood as follows.

1. Clean the place of worship and spread a cloth on a low seat or altar, then place the image or idol of Lord Ganesha.
2. Mentally invoke Ganesha and offer water, akshata, kumkum and flowers, inviting Him to accept the worship.
3. Offer durva grass, modaka, fruits, flowers, roli, sandal paste and other bhog items with devotion.
4. Light the diya and incense sticks and prepare for the evening aarti.
5. Read or listen to the Sankashti vrata katha and chant Ganesha mantras through the puja.
6. At moonrise offer arghya to the visible moon, pray for removal of distress, then bow again to Lord Lambodara and finally complete the parana of the fast.

During the puja devotees generally recite mantras like “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah” and the popular prayer “Vakratunda Mahakaya”. Those who wish to focus deeply on the Lambodara aspect meditate on His large belly, gentle face and all containing form and ask for strength to digest life’s experiences with peace.

Essential Puja Items For Lambodara Sankashti

Keeping the required materials ready beforehand helps the puja to flow smoothly. For Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi, the following items are usually considered important.

Item	Purpose
Clean clothes and asana	For the devotee and the altar
Idol or image of Ganesha	For worship of Lord Lambodara
Lamp and ghee or oil	For lighting the diya and aarti
Incense and dhoop	To purify and fragrance the space
Akshata, roli and sandal paste	For tilak and basic offerings
Durva grass	Beloved offering of Lord Ganesha
Modaka, laddoo and fruits	For naivedya and prasada
Kalasha water or clean water	For arghya and purification
Puja thali, bell and aarti book	To complete the ritual sequence

With these simple items and a sincere heart, even a modest puja becomes deeply meaningful. In Lambodara Sankashti more importance is placed on bhava and discipline than on outer grandeur.

What Does The Lambodara Form Symbolise

Lambodara is a revered form of Lord Ganesha in which His large belly stands out as the central feature. The very word Lambodara means “one with a long or large belly”. In the traditional understanding this belly is not mere physical size. It symbolises the capacity to hold the entire universe, all experiences and all dualities within Himself.

This form teaches that spiritual maturity includes the strength to digest whatever life brings. The large belly represents patience, tolerance, emotional balance and inner resilience. When devotees worship this form they are not only asking for removal of outer obstacles. They also pray for a heart that can carry the weight of life’s situations without losing peace or kindness.

Inner Message Of The Lambodara Form

Sacred descriptions of Lambodara also emphasise that this form pacifies anger, restlessness and inner agitation. His pot belly shows the ability to receive many impressions and yet remain steady. Regular worship of this form is believed to cultivate forgiveness, humility and understanding in the devotee.

As one meditates on Lord Lambodara, the mind gradually learns that emotions and events can be taken in and transformed rather than rejected. The devotee begins to feel that Ganesha is not only the remover of outer hurdles but also the support who absorbs and calms the inner storms. In this way Lambodara becomes a guide for living with greater peace in the middle of changing circumstances.

Benefits Traditionally Associated With The Sankashti Vrat

Sankashti Chaturthi is regarded as a day when Lord Ganesha is especially responsive to prayers for the removal of difficulties. When a devotee maintains discipline, purity and focus from morning until moonrise, the vrata strengthens willpower and deepens trust in divine help.

It is believed that observing this vrat sincerely helps to reduce obstacles in work and personal life, eases delays and brings more clarity in decisions. Many families connect the fast with prayers for peace at home, stability for children and balance in finances. Most of all, the vrata nurtures a feeling of inner protection and closeness to Lord Ganesha, which becomes a source of courage in challenging times.

Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi And Sakat Chauth

In several regions of North India the same Chaturthi is celebrated as Sakat Chauth. On this day many women worship Sakat Mata along with Lord Ganesha and keep a fast for the health, safety and long life of their children. This gives the observance a tender and emotional character for families.

Sakat Chauth and Lambodara Sankashti together make this lunar date even more significant. While Lord Ganesha as Lambodara is honoured as the remover of obstacles, Sakat Mata is remembered as a protective force against hardship. The fast held for children becomes a living expression of parental love and faith, woven into the fabric of traditional worship.

Why Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi 2026 Holds Special Value

Every Sankashti Chaturthi is sacred in its own right. Yet when such a vrata comes in the early days of a new calendar year, it naturally influences the tone with which devotees step into the months ahead. Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi 2026 arrives near the beginning of the year and offers an opportunity to mark the start with discipline, devotion and clear intent.

If a devotee uses this day to sincerely place personal challenges at the feet of Lord Ganesha and to take new inner resolutions, the vrata can act as a quiet spiritual new beginning. Prayers for family welfare, growth of children, steadiness in career and positive energy for the whole year blend into this observance. In this sense Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi 2026 becomes a beautiful occasion to dedicate the path of the year to the grace of Lord Ganesha.

Frequently Asked Questions

On which day will Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi 2026 be observed
Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi will be observed on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. Devotees will keep the fast from sunrise until moonrise on this day.

When will the moonrise occur and when should the fast be broken
Moonrise is expected around 08:54 pm. The fast should be broken only after seeing the moon, offering arghya and completing the puja of Lord Ganesha.

Is it necessary to remain without water for the whole day
The vrata is observed according to one’s health and capacity. Some follow a strict fast, while others keep a fruit based fast with water. The central point is sincerity and restraint.

What are the special benefits of worshipping the Lambodara form
The Lambodara form symbolises patience, inner strength and the ability to absorb difficulties. Worship of this form is believed to reduce obstacles and also bring emotional balance and steadiness of mind.

How is Sakat Chauth related to Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi
In many North Indian regions the same Chaturthi is observed as Sakat Chauth. Women fast and pray for the well being and long life of their children, so Sakat Chauth and Lambodara Sankashti are seen as two traditional names for this sacred observance.