Difference between Sankasthi Chaturthi and Vinayak Chaturthi? (संकष्टी चतुर्थी और विनायक चतुर्थी में क्या अंतर है?)

In the Hindu calendar based on the lunar month, there are two Chaturthi in every month, one in Shukla Paksha and the other in Krishna Paksha. According to the law of scriptures, the Chaturthi of Shukla Paksha which comes after the new moon is called Vinayak Chaturthi and the Chaturthi of Krishna Paksha which comes after the full moon is called Sankashti Chaturthi. According to Hindu scriptures and Puranas, both these Chaturthi dates are dedicated to Bhagwan Ganesh. Those who consider Bhagwan Ganesh as their presiding deity, come and worship him on this day by observing a fast by rituals. Bhagwan Ganesh is called Agrepujya Adidev in Hinduism.

Why perform fasting on Sankashti Chaturthi and Vinayak Chaturthi?
According to Hindu scriptures, worshiping and fasting of Vighnaharta Shri Ganesh on Vinayak Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturthi every month removes all the troubles of a person. Vinayak Chaturthi fast is observed by those people who aspire for Riddhi-Siddhi (wealth, learning, mastery etc.), whereas Sankashti Chaturthi is observed for the purpose of mitigation (end) of obstacles in life. According to the belief, on both these dates, devotees break their fast only after the moon rises in the night by offering it with milk and water and offering flowers, fruits, sweets etc.

Thus Vinayaka Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturthi are fasted in every month, but Ganesh Chaturthi is observed only on the Chaturthi date of the month of Bhadon. It is believed that Bhagwan Ganesh was born on this day i.e. Ganesh Chaturthi is the festival of his birthday. This festival is celebrated in a remarkable way in western India, especially Maharashtra.

Click here for more information about Ganesh Utsav.