Sakat Chauth 2025: Date, Moon Rise Time, Puja Rituals and Significance

Sakat Chauth, also known as Maghi Chauth or Kolar Chauth, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated primarily in North India, especially in states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. The festival is dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha and is observed by women for the well-being, prosperity, and long life of their children, particularly sons. This year 2025, Sakat Chauth is being observed on January 17, 2025.

Sakat Chauth 2025: Date and Time

Chaturthi Tithi Begins - January 17, 2025 - 4:06 AM
Chaturthi Tithi Ends - January 18, 2025 - 5:30 AM

Moon Rise Time - January 17, 2025 - 09:08 PM

Sakat Chauth 2025: Significance

Sakat Chauth is observed on the 4th day of the Krishna in the month of Magha according to the Hindu lunar calendar. The festival has its roots in ancient Hindu mythology and is linked to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the patron of learning and prosperity. According to a popular legend, once Lord Ganesha was very hungry and went to his mother Parvati to ask for food. To satisfy his hunger, she gave him sweets, and he ate them happily. To prevent him from getting too full, she asked him to stop eating. In his impatience and love for sweets, Lord Ganesha continued eating without stopping, leading to him becoming round-bellied. This act of indulgence is linked to the importance of moderation in life. Sakat Chauth is thus a day of fasting and praying to Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles in life and for overall prosperity.

The festival is celebrated by married women, who fast on this day for the welfare of their children. The worship of Lord Ganesha ensures the protection and health of children, and it is believed that observing this fast brings prosperity, peace, and success to the family. In some areas, women also pray for a good harvest and well-being for their families, including financial stability and happiness.

Sakat Chauth 2025: Puja Rituals

Fasting & Puja

Women observe a fast throughout the day, refraining from eating or drinking anything. It is a strict fast, and some women even avoid drinking water this is known as a nirjala fast. However, the nature of fasting may vary based on regional customs. On Sakat Chauth, devotees worship Lord Ganesha, the primary deity of the day. The puja is generally performed at home, and an idol or image of Lord Ganesha is placed on a clean platform. Devotees offer prayers, sweets especially modaks, which are Lord Ganesha's favorite, flowers, and incense to Lord Ganesha.

Importance of Moon on Sakat Chauth?

One unique aspect of Sakat Chauth is the moon worship. The fast is broken only after the moon is sighted. This practice is rooted in the belief that the moon has a powerful influence on people's lives and is a symbol of the passage of time and fulfillment of wishes. In some regions, the sighting of the moon is followed by a traditional ritual in which the moon is observed through a sieve or piece of cloth to purify the vision.
The day Celebrates the power of a woman

Sakat Chauth is a festival that emphasizes the role of women in the family. Women not only observe the fast for the well-being of their children but are also considered the central figures in the celebration and worship. It is believed that the strength and dedication of the women in observing the fast bring blessings to their families.

Festival of Good Harvest

Although Sakat Chauth is primarily focused on children and family, in some regions, it is also seen as a festival of good harvest and prosperity, especially in rural areas. Women pray for abundant crops, financial well-being, and overall success for the family.

Cultural and Regional Variations

The way Sakat Chauth is celebrated can vary depending on the region. For example, in Maharashtra, women prepare special sweet dishes and worship Lord Ganesha in the evening. In Rajasthan, the fast is especially associated with the worship of the moon and the harvest. In some places, this festival coincides with Magh Chauth a fasting ritual for women, which is observed for the well-being of family members and to bring harmony to married life.