Karak Chaturthi (Karvā Chauth): It is celebrated on Chaturthī of Krishna Paksha (waning lunar phase) of Kārtika Month as per the Purnimanta calendar. During this vrata, Parvati and Shiva are worshipped, along with Kartikeya and Ganesha. The day is also known as Vakratunda Sankashti Chaturthi.[2]
Bahula Chaturthi (Bol Chauth): This Vrat is observed on Chaturthi of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month as per Purnimanta calendar. The festival is characterized by worshiping Dhenu/Gau Mata (holy cows) & their calves and decorating them. The day is also known as Heramba Ganpati Sankashti Chaturthi.[3]
Sankashti Chaturthi is the Chaturthi (4th day) of the KrishnaPaksha (waning lunar phase) after Purnima (full moon). If this Chaturthi falls on a Mangalvara (Tuesday) it is called Angarki Chaturthi. On this day, the devotees observe strict vrata (fast). They conclude the fast at night after having darshan (auspicious sighting) of the moon preceded by prayers to Ganesha. Devotees believe their wishes would be fulfilled if they pray on this auspicious day. The Ganapati Atharvashesha is recited to seek the blessings of Ganesha.
During each month, Ganesha is worshiped with a different name and peeta (lotus petals). On the Charturti day (4th day after new moon) of each month, the 'Sankashta Ganapathi Pooja' prayer is performed. Each ‘Vratha’ (strict fast) has a purpose and is explained to us by a story known as the ‘Vrata Katha’. This prayer offering has 13 Vrata Kathas, one for each month and the 13th story is for 'athika' (The Hindu calendar has one extra month every 4 years). The uniqueness of this vrata is that the story pertaining to that month alone has to be recited.
Month
Name of Ganesh in which the pooja is performed
Name of the peeta
Chaitra Masa
Vikata Maha Ganapati
Vinayaka Peeta
Vaishaka Masa
Chanakra Raja Ekadanta Ganapathi
Srichakra Peeta
Jeshta Masa
Krishna Pingala Maha Ganapati
Sri Shakthi Ganapathi Peeta
Ashada Masa
Gajanana Ganapati
Vishnu Peeta
Shravana Masa
Heramba Maha Ganapati
Ganapathi Peeta
Bhadrapada Masa
Vignaraja Maha Ganapati
Vigneshwara Peeta
Ashweeja Masa
Vakrathunda Maha Ganapati
Bhuvaneshwari Peeta
Karthika Masa
Ganadipa Maha Ganapati
Shiva Peeta
Margashira Masa
Akuratha Maha Ganapati
Durga Peeta
Pushya Masa
Lambodara Maha Ganapati
Soura Peeta
Maga Masa
Dvijapriya Maha Ganapati
Samanya deva Peeta
Palguna Masa
Balachandra Maha Ganapati
Agama Peeta
Adika Masa
Vibhuvana Palaka Maha Ganapati
Doorva Bilva Patra Peeta
Vinayaka Chaturthi is the Chaturthi after Amavasya or new moon. Devotees observe the fast for full day and night and meal is consumed the next day.
This fast is mostly observed in Western and Southern India especially by the Brahmin community (Smarta or Shaiva). The fast is supposed to be strict and only fruit, roots or vegetable products are supposed to be consumed.
