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Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi 2025: Your Complete Guide to May 16 Observance
Mumbai, May 16, 2025 – Devotees of Lord Ganesha will unite in devotion on May 16 for Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi, a sacred fasting day honoring the single-tusked deity. Falling on a Friday, this Shukrawar Sankashti promises amplified blessings. From precise timings to rituals, here’s everything you need to observe this auspicious day with faith.
The Spiritual Significance
Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi, observed on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of Krishna Paksha each lunar month, celebrates Lord Ganesha’s Ekadanta form, symbolizing sacrifice and resilience, per Hindu scriptures cited by India Today. The name “Ekadanta” (one-tusked) stems from a legend where Parashurama’s axe broke Ganesha’s tusk, per Drik Panchang. Devotees fast to seek removal of obstacles, wisdom, and prosperity, with Friday’s observance enhancing marital harmony, per traditional beliefs noted in Times of India. “Sankashti” means deliverance from troubles, making this a beacon for those facing challenges, per Pujahome.
Key Timings for May 16
The Chaturthi Tithi begins at 4:02 AM on May 16, 2025, and ends at 5:13 AM on May 17, per Drik Panchang. Moonrise, crucial for breaking the fast, is expected at 10:39 PM in New Delhi, varying by location, per India Today. Devotees fast from sunrise to moonrise, offering prayers post-moon sighting. If moonrise is delayed, consult local panchangs, as some break fast after 10:39 PM IST, per Moneycontrol. X posts, like @drikpanchang, emphasize checking city-specific timings for accuracy.
Rituals and Puja Vidhi
The observance blends devotion and discipline, per India Today:
- Morning Sankalp: After a sunrise bath, take a vow to fast, per Drik Panchang.
- Fasting: Abstain from grains, salt, and non-vegetarian food; some opt for fruits or sabudana khichdi, per Times of India.
- Ganesha Puja: Set up an altar with Ganesha’s idol, offering modaks, durva grass, and red flowers. Chant mantras like “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah” or “Vakratunda Mahakaya,” per Moneycontrol.
- Moonrise Puja: Post-10:39 PM, offer arghya (water) to the moon, recite the Ekadanta Vrat Katha, and break the fast with milk or fruits, per India Today.
The Vrat Katha, narrating Ganesha’s triumph over obstacles, is central, per Pujahome.
Regional Flavors
Celebrations vary across India, per Times of India:
- Maharashtra: Crowds throng temples like Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak, with vibrant aartis, per Dagdusheth Ganpati’s X post.
- South India: Tamil Nadu and Karnataka host “Varasiddhi Vinayaka” pujas, emphasizing Ganesha’s boon-granting form, per Prokerala.
- North India: Evening katha recitals and community aartis dominate, especially in Rajasthan, per Indian Express.
These variations reflect local traditions but share devotion to Ganesha, per Moneycontrol.
Why It Matters
Ekadanta Sankashti, with its focus on Ganesha’s single-tusked form, fosters mental clarity and resilience, influenced by Mercury and the Moon, per Hindu astrology cited by India Today. Friday’s Shukrawar energy, linked to Venus, amplifies harmony in relationships, per Times of India. The fast cleanses karmic debts, with devotees reporting peace and success, per Pujahome. X posts, like @GoodNewsToday, highlight its role in granting life’s benefits through Ganesha’s blessings.
FAQs for Devotees
- Can children or elderly fast? Partial fasting (one sattvik meal) is suitable for those with health constraints, per Drik Panchang.
- What if moonrise is late? Break fast post-10:39 PM IST or per local panchang; digital moon sighting is acceptable but physical darshan is preferred, per Moneycontrol.
- First-time fasting tips? Start with a partial fast, focus on devotion, and join temple pujas for guidance, per India Today.
