Sakat Chaturthi or chauth is a Hindu Festival observed for the well being of children by Hindu married women.
Namaste!
Welcome to the world of divine readings at www.onindianpath.com. Today, I am going to unveil the key points of Sakat Chaturthi2024.
Introduction
Sakat Chaturthi is also known as Maghi Chaturthi, Vakratundi Chaturthi and tilkuta Chaturthi. Sankasti Chaturthi and Sankathara Chaturthi tithi are other names popular in southern part of the country. As the name suggests, Sakat or Sankat Chauth is the fourth day of the Hindu calendar, dedicated to warding off potential troubles from the lives of children.
However, Lord Ganesha and Sakat mata are revered. Hindu women observe a fast, and in the night, they give arghya to Lord Moon. This festival symbolizes the paradigm of devotion and the utmost faith of mothers.
Date and titthi of Sakat Chauth
2024 is going to have sakat chaturthi on 29 January 2024. As per Hindu Panchang, itfalls on 4th(chaturthi) day of Krishna Paksha of magh mas. The Sakat Chauth tithi will start at 6:10 AM on 29 January and will end at 8:54 AM on 30th January 2024.
Significance of Sakat Chaturthi
Apparently, married woman perform puja and observe fast on Sakat Chauth for the well being of their kids. Additionally, they also perform puja for longevity of their beloved kids. Also, Devotees offed sesame seeds, sweets, diya, kumkum and akshat to Lord Ganesha and Lord Moon on this day.
Sakat Mata temple
Did you know that there is a temple in Rajasthan dedicated to Sakat Mata? This ancient temple is situated in the village of Chauth ka Barwada, approximately 60 kilometers from Alwar and 150 kilometers from Jaipur. Notably, it is perched atop a high cliff of a mountain, adding to the mystique surrounding the Goddess Sakat.
Why sesame seeds are important?
Moreover, Til holds great importance in this festival. Till Is Hindi name of sesame seeds. Furthermore, Sesame seeds are considered pious in Hinduism. They are considered as a source of energy, strength and beauty.
Further, there are two kinds of sesame seeds aka Black sesame and White Sesame seeds.
Do you know we have days dedicated to Pitra? Yes, you got me right, they are called Pitra Paksha. Pitra refers to the deceased ancestors of the family. Likewise, Hindus offer black sesame seeds to Pitra during Shradh. Meanwhile, white sesame seeds are dear to Lord Vishnu.
As per Matsya Purana, when Lord Vishnu had a fight with Madhu Asura, his body generated sweat, which became til. Further, Hindu scriptures suggest it is auspicious to use sesame seeds during magh mas. Many people eat sesame seeds, drink til water, bathe with sesame seeds, and even use sesame oil for massage. Sesame seeds have the power to counteract the effects of winter.
In fact, all the festivals of Magh Mas hold great significance for sesame seeds. Hindu gods are offered sesame seed food items like til gajak, til ladu, and til revadi during Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Sakat Chaturthi, and Shattila Ekadashi.
Legends of Sakat Chaturthi
Once upon a time, there was a potter who lived in a village and used to craft pots. In the process of crafting the pots, he used a furnace to harden pots. Eventually, he discovered that despite several tries, the flame was unable to do its job to harden the pots. On this, he made a request for help to the king. The King went to Rajpurohit seeking advice. Rajpurohit advised the ritual of Bali(sacrifice of life) of a little kid when the utensils are ready for the furnace.
Thus, following Rajpurohit’s advice, the King declared that every household must bring a youngster for the ritual when the furnace was ready to work. The ritual commenced, and after a few days, an elderly mother with just one son was summoned for the ritual.
However, unhappy on that day, she had observed a fast and prayed to Sakat Mata and Lord Ganesha to protect her son. Providing Dub ka Beeda (a bunch of grass) and a betel nut to her son as a form of defense, she watched as her child entered the furnace. Meanwhile, the son recited the names of Sakat Mata and Lord Ganesha. As a result, not only did the old woman’s son survive, but all the other children who had undergone the sacrificial ritual were alive and happy the next morning. Since then, everyone has come to accept the existence of Goddess Sakat.
My views on Sakat Chauth
My mother used to make Tilkuta on this day, a sweet delicacy that my brother and I relished during our childhood. As the name suggests, sesame seeds are grinded with hammers and mixed with jaggery to create this delightful treat. In addition to this, she used to observe day long fast for the longevity and wellness of us, end up it by giving arghya to Lord Moon and closing fast with Tilkuta and other Indian cuisines. Those were the moments of her pious and unconditional love for us.
In fact, some readers may perceive the sacrificial ritual as outdated, rooted in superstitions that compelled people to sacrifice their lives for societal benefits. I truly condemn this practice. As a progressive and educated community, let us collectively strive to eliminate any form of inhuman and unethical practices from our surroundings. Together, we can foster positive change.
Conclusion
Henceforth, you may have observed that this festival reflects the profound devotion and faith exhibited by mothers towards Lord Ganesha and Sakat Chauth Mata. While Hindu religion and culture are replete with fasting and festivals, this particular celebration stands out as a poignant expression of maternal love and commitment. Have a blessed day ahead, and may you continue to grow with us.
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