Chathurthi, also known as Chaturthi, is a term used in Hinduism to refer to the fourth day of both the waxing (Shukla Paksha) and waning (Krishna Paksha) phases of the lunar month. In the Hindu lunar calendar, each month is divided into two fortnights – Shukla Paksha (bright half) and Krishna Paksha (dark half). Each fortnight consists of 15 lunar days, and Chathurthi occurs on the fourth day of each of these halves.
Among the various Chaturthi days that occur in each lunar month, two of the most widely observed Chaturthi are:
- Vinayaka Chaturthi: This Chaturthi falls during the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) of the Bhadrapada month, which typically falls between August and September. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the lord of beginnings. Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is one of the major festivals in some parts of India, especially in Maharashtra.
- Sankashti Chaturthi: This Chaturthi falls during the waning phase (Krishna Paksha) of each lunar month and is dedicated to Lord Ganesha as well. However, the Sankashti Chaturthi that occurs in the month of Magha (January-February) is considered particularly significant. Devotees observe fasts and perform special prayers on this day, seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha for prosperity, success, and the removal of obstacles.
Both Vinayaka Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturthi hold immense religious and cultural importance for Hindu devotees who participate in various rituals and celebrations to honor Lord Ganesha and seek his divine blessings.
Chaturthi ni neno linalotumika katika dini ya Kihindu kurejelea siku ya nne ya miezi ya Shukla na Krishna. Katika kalenda ya Hindu ya mwezi, kila mwezi umegawanywa katika wiki mbili <unk> Shukla Paksha (nusu nyeupe) na Krishna Paksha (nusu nyeusi). Kila wiki mbili ina siku 15 za mwezi, na Chaturthi hufanyika siku ya nne ya kila moja ya nusu hizi. Kati ya siku mbalimbali za Chaturthi zinazotokea katika kila mwezi wa mwezi, mbili kati ya Chaturthi zinazotambuliwa sana ni: - Vinayaka Chaturthi: Chaturthi hii huanguka wakati wa awamu ya waxing (Shukla Paksha) ya mwezi wa Bhadrapada, ambayo kwa kawaida huanguka kati ya Agosti na Septemba. Mji huo umewekwa wakfu kwa Bwana Ganesha, mungu mwenye kichwa cha tembo anayeheshimiwa kama mondoaji wa vikwazo na bwana wa mwanzo. Vinayaka Chaturthi ni sherehe ya kihistoria ya India, ambayo huadhimishwa kwa bidii na kwa uaminifu katika maeneo ya India, hasa Maharashtra. - Sankashti Chaturthi: Chaturthi hii huanguka wakati wa awamu ya kupungua (Krishna Paksha) ya kila mwezi wa mwezi na ni wakfu kwa Bwana Ganesha pia. Hata hivyo, Sankashti Chaturthi ambayo hutokea katika mwezi wa Magha (Januari-Februari) inachukuliwa kuwa muhimu hasa. Waumini hufunga na kufanya sala za pekee siku hii, wakitafuta baraka za Bwana Ganesha kwa ufanisi, mafanikio, na kuondolewa kwa vizuizi. Vinayaka Chaturthi na Sankashti Chaturthi ni muhimu sana kwa dini na utamaduni kwa waumini wa Kihindu ambao wanashiriki katika sherehe na sherehe mbalimbali za kumheshimu Bwana Ganesha na kutafuta baraka zake za kimungu.