What Angarki Chaturthi Is
Angarki Chaturthi is a special version of Sankashti Chaturthi — the monthly fasting day dedicated to Lord Ganesha, observed on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of Krishna Paksha (the waning lunar fortnight) — that occurs specifically when Sankashti Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday. It’s considered the most auspicious of all the Sankashti Chaturthi observances throughout the year, and it holds particular significance in Marathi culture, with especially elaborate temple observances in Maharashtra.
2026 Angarki Chaturthi Dates
In 2026, Angarki Chaturthi falls on three Tuesdays: January 6, 2026, May 5, 2026, and September 29, 2026. Having three Angarki Chaturthis in a single calendar year is considered a comparatively rare and especially auspicious occurrence, since Sankashti Chaturthi only aligns with a Tuesday a handful of times across the lunar year.
Timing for January 6, 2026
For the year’s first Angarki Chaturthi on January 6, 2026, the Chaturthi Tithi begins at approximately 8:02 AM and continues until approximately 6:53 AM the following day. Moonrise, the key moment for breaking the fast, is expected around 8:54 PM (timings based on New Delhi; other locations should adjust by roughly plus or minus 20 minutes). As with all Sankashti Chaturthi fasts, devotees observe the fast from sunrise until moonrise, at which point they offer Arghya (a ritual offering, typically involving water) to the moon before breaking their fast.
Why This Day Is Considered Especially Powerful
According to Hindu tradition, observing a fast on Angarki Chaturthi is believed to carry the combined spiritual merit of observing all twelve (or thirteen, in a year with Adhik Maas) monthly Sankashti Chaturthi fasts throughout the year. The name “Angarki” itself derives from Sanskrit, roughly meaning “red like burning coal,” tied to a traditional legend connecting the day to Mangal (Mars) and the removal of what’s sometimes called Mangal Dosha, along with general debt-related and obstacle-related difficulties.
How the Fast Is Observed
The fast typically follows a strict format: only fruits, root vegetables, and certain vegetable-based foods are permitted during the day, with common staples including sabudana khichdi, potatoes, and peanuts. The fast breaks only after moonrise, when devotees offer Arghya to Lord Ganesha and the moon, and traditional prasad offerings for this day commonly include modak, laddu, and urad dal laddu — sweets closely associated with Ganesha worship generally.
Checking Exact Timing for Your City
Since moonrise timing shifts based on geographic location, the timings above are calculated for New Delhi and should be adjusted for other cities — most Panchang sources suggest a variance of roughly plus or minus 20 minutes depending on location within India, with larger adjustments needed for locations significantly further east or west. Checking a location-specific Panchang or moonrise calculator close to each of the three 2026 dates is the most reliable way to confirm the exact fast-breaking time for a specific city.