Sankashti Chaturthi Katha

Once, the great sage Narada came to Mount Kailash and posed a question to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati: "O Lord, which of your sons — Kartikeya or Ganesha — is greater?" Rather than answer directly, Shiva smiled and decided to settle the matter through a divine contest.

"Whoever among you circumambulates the entire universe first shall be declared the greatest and shall receive the right of first worship in all ceremonies," declared Shiva. Immediately, the mighty Kartikeya mounted his peacock and sped away, circling the galaxies and worlds at lightning speed.

Ganesha looked at his rotund form and his small mouse vehicle. Rather than feel dismayed, he smiled with great wisdom. He walked slowly to where his parents Shiva and Parvati sat, joined his palms, and circumambulated them three times with deep reverence.

"O Father and Mother, you are the entire universe. The Vedas declare: 'Matru devo bhava, Pitru devo bhava' — father and mother are god. By honouring you, I have circumambulated the entire creation,"said Ganesha.

Shiva and Parvati were deeply moved. Before Kartikeya even returned from his cosmic journey, Shiva declared Ganesha the victor. From that day, Ganesha received the boon of being worshipped first in all rituals and ceremonies. The Chaturthi — the fourth day — became His sacred tithi.

On Sankashti Chaturthi, devotees fast until moonrise, worship Ganesha with Durva grass and modaks, and break the fast only after sighting the moon. Ganesha removes all sankasht — all difficulties — from the lives of His devoted.