Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi 2026: Date, Muhurat, Vidhi and Katha

Every month in the Hindu calendar brings a Sankashti Chaturthi, but the one falling in the Vaishakha month has a very specific purpose. Known as Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi May 2026, this day is entirely dedicated to the one-toothed form of Lord Ganesha. It is widely considered a powerful day for clearing deep-rooted obstacles from your life. Therefore, if you are planning to observe the fast this May, we have put together the exact dates, auspicious timings and the story you need to know, all in one place.

Quick Glance

• The fast is dedicated to Lord Ekadanta, the remover of hurdles
• Since it falls on a Tuesday in 2026, it qualifies as a highly auspicious Angarki Chaturthi
• Observing the fast removes major life obstacles and brings steady prosperity
• The ritual is only complete after looking at the moon at night

Sankashti Chaturthi May 2026 Dates and Timings

• Sankashti Chaturthi May 2026 Date: Tuesday, May 5
• Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 05:24 AM on May 5, 2026
• Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 07:51 AM on May 6, 2026
• Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi moonrise time: 09:41 PM

If you want to perform your daytime or evening prayers during the most favourable windows, follow these Choghadiya muhurats:

• 08:56 AM to 10:31 AM (Labha)
• 10:31 AM to 12:06 PM (Amrita)
• 01:40 PM to 03:15 PM (Shubha)
• 06:25 PM to 07:50 PM (Labha)

Why This Sankashti Chaturthi Is an Angarki Chaturthi

There is something that makes the 2026 calendar quite special. Whenever a Sankashti Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, it becomes an Angarki Chaturthi. This year features three of these rare alignments, and May 5 is one of them. According to tradition, fasting on an Angarki Chaturthi brings the same spiritual merit as fasting for the entire year. Because Tuesday is ruled by Mars, the planet of action and obstacles, combining Mars energy with Ganesha’s obstacle-removing power makes this particular fast extremely effective.

Significance of Lord Ekadanta

During this specific Chaturthi, devotees worship Lord Ekadanta Ganesha, which translates to the Lord with one tooth. Hindu scriptures offer two explanations for this name.

According to one legend, when Ganesha stopped Lord Parashurama from meeting Lord Shiva, an angry Parashurama threw his axe. Out of respect for the weapon, which originally belonged to Lord Shiva, Ganesha did not dodge it and allowed it to break one of his tusks. The Mudgalpurana offers another story, stating he took this specific form to defeat a demon named Madasura, who, in the end, surrendered out of fear.

In both versions, the broken tusk symbolises sacrifice and the willingness to endure personal loss for a greater purpose. This is also why worshipping Ekadanta helps you develop the inner strength to face your own challenges head-on.

Also read: May 2026 Festivals: Calendar, Dates, Vrats and Ekadashi List

How to Observe the Sankashti Chaturthi May 2026 Fast

Here is the standard way to observe the fast at home:

• Morning Vow: Wake up early, take a bath and take a mental vow to observe the fast until the moonrise.
• The Diet: You can choose a strict water fast or a partial one. If you go for the partial option, you can eat fruits, peanuts, potatoes and sabudana khichdi, but you must avoid all regular grains.
• Evening Puja: Clean your altar and place an idol of Lord Ganesha. Then, offer durva grass, hibiscus flowers and his favourite sweet, modaks. Light an oil lamp and some incense. You can also listen to Ganesha mantras on AstroSure.ai and chant along to deepen your focus.
• Breaking the Fast: The ritual ends with worshipping the moon. After it rises around 09:41 PM, offer a mixture of water, milk and sandalwood paste to the moon. Chant the mantra Om Som Somaya Namah and break your fast.

Ekadanta Sankashti Vrat Katha

The story behind this day tells us why this fast carries such deep spiritual weight. Long ago, a great sage named Bhrushundi lived a life deeply devoted to Lord Ganesha. One day, Lord Indra visited him. While Indra was flying back to his celestial home, his flight passed over the kingdom of Shursen. A sinner in that kingdom cast an evil glance at the flight, causing it to lose its power and crash.

King Shursen rushed to help. Indra explained that the flight could only be recharged if someone who had earned spiritual merit by fasting for Sankashti Chaturthi transferred their good karma to it. So the king sent his soldiers to search the kingdom, but they found absolutely no one who had officially observed the fast.

At that exact moment, however, the divine soldiers of Lord Ganesha were carrying the soul of a recently deceased man. When Indra asked why this man received such honour, the soldiers explained he was a sinner who had fallen severely ill the previous day. Because of his illness, he did not eat anything all day and passed away the next morning. Without even realising it, he had completed the Sankashti Chaturthi fast. As a result, the pure merit of that unintentional fast erased all his sins. As the air touched his purified body, it brushed against Indra’s flight, instantly restoring its divine power.

This katha shows that the benefits of the fast are immense, even if done accidentally. Observing it with full awareness and clear intentions can bring great positive shifts to your routine. You do not need to stress over getting every single rule perfect. Just keep your mind calm, offer your prayers and use the day to clear the mental and physical hurdles in your path.

Also read: Jyeshtha 2026: The Rare Double Month and Its Cosmic Impact

Sankashti Chaturthi May 2026 FAQs

1. Why is Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi considered powerful?

Because it honours Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. On this day, his energy supports releasing blockages, especially those linked to delays and repeated problems.

2. What makes Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi more special?

When Sankashti falls on a Tuesday, it combines the energy of Mars with Ganesha. Mars rules action and obstacles, so this alignment makes the fast more effective for clearing struggles and gaining strength.

3. Why is moon sighting important before breaking the fast?

Sankashti Chaturthi follows the Moon cycle. The fast aligns with the Moon’s rise because it represents emotional balance. Offering prayers to the Moon completes the ritual and helps stabilise the mind.

4. Can this fast really remove obstacles from life?

In astrology, Ganesha connects to removing karmic blocks, especially those causing repeated delays. Sankashti Chaturthi aligns with the Moon’s cycle, which governs the mind and emotions. When you fast and pray on this day, it helps clear both mental and situational obstacles over time.

Ask Agastyaa how Lord Ganesha’s blessings align with your birth chart this Chaturthi