chaturth

Chaturth refers to the fourth day of a lunar fortnight in the Hindu lunisolar calendar. The Hindu calendar is divided into two periods, each with 15 lunar days. The first period is the waxing moon phase (Shukla Paksha), and the second is the waning moon phase (Krishna Paksha). Chaturth marks the fourth day in both of these phases. Therefore, there are two Chaturth days in every month, one during the bright half and one during the dark half.

The Chaturth tithi, or lunar day, is often associated with Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and beginnings. The Chaturth that falls during the waxing moon phase (Shukla Paksha Chaturth) is particularly significant and is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi. Devotees often observe fasts and perform pujas dedicated to Ganesha on this day, seeking his blessings for success and prosperity. The Chaturth during the waning moon phase (Krishna Paksha Chaturth) is known as Sankashti Chaturthi, which also involves prayers and observances to Lord Ganesha to overcome difficulties. The specific rituals and observances can vary across different regions and traditions within Hinduism.