Vinayaka Chaturthi- 2018: Dates, Puja Vidhi, Significance

By: Manmeet Kaur Tura

According to the Hindu calendar there are two Chaturthi Tithis in each lunar month. Chaturthi Tithi is dedicated to Lord Ganesha; the two Chaturthi Tithis are called Vinayaka Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturthi. The first one is called Vinayaka Chaturthi and falls after the new moon or Amavasya during Shukla Paksha and the second one is called  Sankashti Chaturthi which falls after the full moon day or Purnima during Krishna Paksha.

When is Vinayaka Chaturthi?

The fasting for Vinayaka Chaturthi is done every month. But Ganesha Chaturthi is the most important Vinayak Chaturthi and falls in the month of Bhadrapada. It is a grand festival in India and celebrated by the Hindus all across the world. It is an 11 day festival, celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm.

Vinayaka Chaturthi is also called Varad Vinayaka Chaturthi. Varad means “asking God to fulfill all the desires one has”. Lord Ganesha bestows his blessings on the devotees and showers those who observe this fast with wisdom and patience. It is wisdom and patience that make one’s life happy and anyone who possesses these virtues can progress in life.

Ganesha Puja on Vinayaka Chaturthi is performed during the afternoon which is noontime according to Hindu calendar.

It is important to understand that fasting day for Vinayaka Chaturthi may be different for two cities even if those cities are in the same Indian state. Fasting during Vinayaka Chaturthi depends on sunrise and sunset timings. It is observed when Chaturthi Tithi prevails during midday. So the Vinayaka Chaturthi fasting might be performed on Tritiya Tithi i.e. one day before Chaturthi Tithi. As midday time may also differ from state to state it is important to refer the Hindu calendar.

2018 Vinayaka Chaturthi Days-

                                       Ganesh Puja Time

• 21January (Sunday)-     Vinayaka Chaturthi   - 11:29 to 13:35
• 19February (Monday)-   Vinayaka Chaturthi - 11:28 to 13:42
• 21March (Wednesday)-  Vinayaka Chaturthi  -11:16 to 13:40
• 19April (Thursday)-  Vinayaka Chaturthi          -11:03 to 13:37
• 18May (Friday)-  Vinayaka Chaturthi         -10:56 to 13:38
• 17June (Sunday)-  Vinayaka Chaturthi                -10:59 to 11:38
• 16July (Monday)- Vinayaka Chaturthi                     -11:05 to 13:48
• 14August (Tuesday)- Vinayaka Chaturthi                 -11:07 to 13:44
• 13September (Thursday)-  Ganesh Chaturthi          -11:03 to 13:30
• 12October (Friday)-  Vinayaka Chaturthi                      -10:58 to 13:16
• 11November (Sunday)-  Vinayaka Chaturthi                  -11:00 to 13:09
• 11December (Tuesday)-  Vinayaka Chaturthi                -11:12 to 13:15

Puja Vidhi-

Vinayaka Chaturthi is observed each month on different dates as mentioned above. A fast is observed from sunrise. Devotees can have fruits during the day but not proper food. Ganesha Puja is performed before opening the fast at moonrise. It is believed that devotees that perform this fast with full devotion have a prosperous life and all the hurdles in their life are removed.

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