Sakat Chauth is the Ganesha fast kept on the Krishna Chaturthi of Magha, mainly by mothers for their children. In Vedic astrology it is an opportunity to harmonise the Moon’s emotions with Saturn’s discipline so that family stability, health, and prosperity can be strengthened through mindful effort.

What does Sakat Chauth mean in Vedic astrology?
Sakat Chauth is the Krishna Paksha Chaturthi of Magha (purnimanta; Pausha in the amanta calendar), kept mainly in north India. Mothers fast on this day for the long life and well-being of their children, and it is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and to Sakat (Sankat) Mata, whose best-known temple is at Sakat village in Alwar district, Rajasthan.
It is the Sankashti Chaturthi of the month: in Maharashtra and elsewhere Ganesha devotees keep it as Lambodara Sankashti. It is also called Sankat Chauth, Til-Kuta (Tilkut) Chauth, Vakratundi Chaturthi and Maghi Chauth, after the sesame-and-jaggery tilkut that is offered and shared. Like every Sankashti, the fast is broken after sighting the Moon.
What is the exact Sakat Chauth 2027 date and muhurat?
In 2027, Sakat Chauth falls on Monday, 25 January. The fast begins at sunrise and ends after moonrise. Moonrise in New Delhi is at about 9:12 PM IST; the Chaturthi tithi runs from about 8:10 AM on Monday 25 January to 6:00 AM on Tuesday 26 January. The evening rituals are kept in the hour before that moonrise; at moonrise the Moon is in Purva Phalguni nakshatra, in Leo.
If your local moonrise is earlier, adjust accordingly; always confirm tithi and nakshatra in your city’s panchang before starting the fast.
How to perform the Sakat Chauth fast correctly?
Bathe early, take the sankalpa for the fast, and keep it through the day; many mothers keep it without food or water until moonrise, others take fruit and milk, as the family tradition allows. In the evening worship Ganesha (and Sakat Mata) with durva grass, flowers, a lamp and tilkut or til-gud laddoos, and listen to or read the Sakat Chauth vrat katha.
After moonrise, offer arghya (water, often with milk and akshat) to the Moon, then break the fast with the prasad. Anyone who is pregnant, unwell, elderly or on medication should keep a lighter fast — fruit and water — or simply do the puja and the Moon arghya; the vrat is about devotion, not strain.
Which mantra should be chanted on Sakat Chauth and why?
Because the day belongs to Ganesha, the usual mantra is ‘Om Gan Ganapataye Namah’, chanted 108 times, or the Vakratunda shloka (‘Vakratunda mahakaya, suryakoti samaprabha…’). At the Moon arghya many families say ‘Om Som Somaya Namah’.
Follow your own family or temple tradition where it differs; the katha and the arghya are what complete the vrat.
What is the astrological importance of Sakat Chauth?
In the panchang the day is simply Krishna Chaturthi, ruled by Ganesha as the lord of Chaturthi, and the vrat is timed by moonrise — so a correct local moonrise time matters more than anything else. In 2027 the Moon rises in Purva Phalguni nakshatra, in Leo.
Anyone who wants to know how the period ahead looks for a particular child or family matter can have the Moon and the running dasha read in their own chart; the festival itself carries no special dosha or guarantee.
Who should observe Sakat Chauth and who may skip it?
It is kept mainly by mothers for their children, though anyone in the family may join the puja and the Moon arghya. Pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone who is unwell or on regular medication should not keep a waterless fast; doing the puja, the katha and the arghya with a light meal is a complete observance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sakat Chauth only for married women?
It is kept mainly by mothers for the long life and well-being of their children, but anyone in the family may join the puja, the katha and the Moon arghya.
Can I drink water during the Sakat Chauth fast?
It depends on family custom. Many mothers keep it without water until moonrise; others take water, fruit and milk. Anyone who is pregnant, unwell or on medication should drink water and eat lightly.
What if I miss moonrise on Sakat Chauth?
Offer the arghya as soon as the Moon is visible from where you are. If cloud hides it, families traditionally make the offering toward the Moon's direction after the local moonrise time and then break the fast.
Is Sakat Chauth the same as Sankashti Chaturthi?
Yes. It is the Sankashti Chaturthi of Magha (purnimanta), called Lambodara Sankashti in Maharashtra; in north India it is kept as Sakat Chauth, also called Tilkut Chauth or Maghi Chauth.
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Dr. R.P. Sharma – Ph.D., Delhi University; Acharya in Predictive Astrology; practicing since 1979; consulted thousands of seekers.
See also: 2027 Grahan List In India.
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