Sankatahara Chaturthi – A Day to Smash Hit Your Problems
Sankatahara Chaturthi or Sankashti Chaturthi is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Sankata literally means “problems or worries” and Hara means “removing or eliminating”. So Sankatahara Chaturthi provides the opportunity to get rid of your problems and obstacles.
Significance of Sankatahara ChaturthiSankatahara Chaturthi falls on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase), every month. This is an ideal day to participate in special pooja and Homas (fire rituals) dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Lord Ganesha idols made of clay, cow-dung, etc are worshipped through a simple process to earn the grace of the Lord. A special coconut smashing ceremony is a prime attraction of the day.
What’s Special in Coconut Smashing on Sankatahara Chaturthi?Smashing coconuts on Sankatahara Chaturthi helps you to remove your negative influences as this is considered as a spiritual technology that manifests in both your material and spiritual worlds. The coconut energetically absorbs your lower vibrations. When it is smashed, the energy holding back your progress is forcefully disseminated. The 4th waning moons is an ideal time as the energies available on this phase is favorable for removing obstacles that include even the evil eye and delays in ventures and thus the obstacle removing power is amplified manifold if performed on the 4th Waning Moon.
The spiritual importance, greatness and significance of Sankatahara Chaturthi are even mentioned in the Narasimha Purana and Bhavishya Purana. It is said that even the Gods seek the counsel of Lord Ganesha before taking up anything. According to legends when Lord Shiva was heading ahead in his Chariot to destroy the Tripurams (the 3 cities of Ego, Maya, and Karma), the Axle on His chariot had broken into two pieces. This reminded him that He had not meditated and prayed to Ganesha prior to his setting out on his mission. |