Sankashti Chaturthi, or Ganesh Sankatahara Chaturti, is dedicated to Hindu God Ganesh. Sankashti Chaturthi January 2012 date is January 12, Thursday and the Chandrodaya or Moon rise time is 9:13 PM. Ganesha devotees observe Sankashta Chaturti day from sunrise till the sighting of the moon. The day falls on the fourth day during the waning phase of moon or Krishna Paksha in a Hindu lunar month.
Fasting on Sankashti day is believed help in attaining peace, prosperity and knowledge. The fast is mainly observed in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The day is known as Sankatahara Chaturti in Tamil Hindu culture.
The importance of Sankashta Chaturthi Vrata is found in the Narasimha and Bhavishaya Puranas. The greatness of the Vrata was explained by Lord Krishna to Yudhishtira, the eldest of the Pandava brothers.
