Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi 2025: Significance, Muhurat, Vrat Katha And What Makes It Spiritually Special

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Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi is the monthly Sankashti that falls in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the Pausha/Margashirsha period. On this day, devotees worship Ganesha in his Akhuratha form, the one who rides the mouse ("akhu"), symbolizing mastery over ego, fear, impulses, and everything that holds you back.

Photo Credit: Oneindia

Sankashti as a whole is about turning to Ganesha for strength, clarity, and smoother paths. The Akhuratha form adds an extra layer of meaning: staying grounded and staying in control of your mind, even when life feels overwhelming.

Muhurat Timings for Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi 2025

The Chaturthi Tithi begins at 6:24 PM on 7 December and ends at 4:03 PM on 8 December. The fast is broken only after moonrise, which is 7:55 PM on 7 December 2025 for most parts of India. Since moonrise can vary slightly depending on the city, checking the local panchang for your exact location is recommended.

Why This Day Holds Importance

People observe Akhuratha Sankashti to seek:

• Relief from problems and barriers
• Mental steadiness and clarity
• Prosperity, good health, and family well-being
• Calmness during stressful situations
• Confidence to move through stuck phases in life

It's seen as a powerful day to reset your energy and ask for guidance, especially if you're dealing with obstacles that feel bigger than you.

The Akhuratha Sankashti Vrat Katha

The Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi Katha tells of a time when Ravana became too proud after defeating many gods. One day, he tried to grab Bali, the powerful monkey-king, but things didn't go his way. Bali easily caught him, tucked him under his arm, and took him to Kishkindha. There, he even gave Ravana to his young son Angad to play with. Angad, thinking Ravana was just a toy, tied him with a rope and swung him around, which caused Ravana a lot of pain.

Hurt and helpless, Ravana remembered his father, Sage Pulastya. When Pulastya saw his son's condition, he felt bad for him but also understood that this is what pride can lead to. Still, he asked Ravana why he had called for him. Ravana said he was suffering and needed help. Pulastya told him not to worry and advised him to observe the Sankashti Chaturthi fast dedicated to Lord Ganesha. He explained that even Indra had once kept this vrat to come out of a difficult situation.

Ravana followed his father's advice and observed the vrat with devotion. Because of this, he was finally freed from Bali's captivity.

Every Sankashti of the year has its own story, and Akhuratha has one too. While versions differ slightly by region, the core message stays the same: when devotees approached Ganesha during a difficult phase, he removed their troubles after they prayed with patience and completed the fast properly.

Monthly Sankashti Kathas highlight one recurring idea when nothing else works, sincere devotion, discipline, and humility bring the change you need. The Akhuratha Katha focuses on removing inner blockages as much as external ones.

How People Observe the Fast

The rituals are simple and doable for most people. The idea is not strictness - it's consistency and sincerity.

Morning Activities: You begin the day with a bath, set your purpose for the fast, and keep your mind calm and focused. Many people choose a fruit or "phalahar" fast, while others go for a full-day fast depending on their health.

Preparing for Puja: A clean puja area, an idol or picture of Ganesha, a lamp, flowers, durva grass, and simple offerings like fruits or modaks are enough.

The Puja Itself: People chant Ganesha mantras, offer durva, recite or listen to the Akhuratha Sankashti Vrat Katha, and keep the atmosphere peaceful. It's common to use the time to reflect on worries or blockages and consciously hand them over to Ganesha.

Moonrise is the Key Moment: The fast ends only after moonrise. People perform a short evening puja, offer water (arghya) to the Moon, and then break the fast with prasad. If the moon isn't visible due to clouds, the calculated moonrise time is used.

What Makes Akhuratha Sankashti Unique

Each Sankashti connects to a different form of Ganesha, but Akhuratha stands out because of its message: control over the mind is the starting point of removing problems in life.

The mouse beneath Ganesha represents fears, temptations, negativity, and runaway thoughts. Worshipping Akhuratha is about reminding yourself that you're bigger than your chaos.

Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi is one of those days where tradition, discipline, and personal reflection work together. If you're someone who feels stuck, tired, or pulled in too many directions, this observance gives you a structured way to pause, reset, and ask for strength. Whether you follow every ritual or keep it minimal, the day is ultimately about reconnecting with yourself with Ganesha guiding the process.