Sakat Chauth in 2016

Sakat Chauth is a festival that is mainly celebrated by the north Indian states. The date for Sakat Chauth in 2016 is 27th January, Wednesday. The simple purpose behind the celebration of the Sakat Chauth is worshipping Maa Sakat and Lord Ganesha for the well being of children. Goddess Sakat is so kind that she can’t see her devotees in pain for long. It is believed that Goddess Sakat once saved the life of many children to relieve her devotees from the suffering of losing their child. Great power, strong will and also a kind heart are the attributes of Goddess Sakat. Goddess Sakat is worshipped as well as honored on the day of Sakat Chaturthi.

The day of Sakat Chauth is always the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha in the month ‘Magh’. In the reference to the Gregorian calendar the day usually comes in January. Sakat Chauth makes a person away from all his troubles and also increases the level of happiness in his life. The special importance of the festival Sakat Chauth lies in the story or katha of Sakat Chauth. The katha of Sakat Chauth expresses the power that a Goddess possesses and how the Almighty is always willing to help his or her devotees. Along with Sakat mata, Lord Ganesha is also worshipped on Sakat Chauth as he is believed to be the Sankat mochak (he removes all the obstacles and troubles).

Sakat Chauth Katha

Sakat Chauth is celebrated for the well being of the children. The katha of Sakat Chauth goes like this – “Once there was a potter in a village who used to make pots. He used to do his work successfully but then one day he was not able to harden his pots. This became a major issue of concern for him. He took his problem to the king and the king after consulting a pandit gave a shocking order. The pandit suggested that the bali of a child each day the pots are hardened can solve this issue. The king ordered to all the families that they will send one of their sons whenever they are asked to do so.

The order of king can’t be disobeyed by the people of the kingdom. There was a woman, an ardent follower of Goddess Sakat. She was very upset as she had only one son. Then came a day when she had to give her child for the bali. In order to protect her child she kept on worshipping Goddess Sakat and also gave certain things for protection to her son. Goddess Sakat was so touched by the efforts of that woman that she saved the life of her child. The kindness of Mata Sakat wasn’t confined and she blessed all the kids who were killed with their life. This incident made all the people believe in the enormous power and pure heart of the Goddess Sakat. All the people then started worshipping Sakat mata with ultimate devotion in their heart for her.

Rituals performed on the Day of Sakat Chauth

Sakat Chauth is sincerely dedicated to the Goddess Sakat and Lord Ganesha. They are worshipped and are offered different delicacies. Women in large number observe fast on this day and some don’t even drink water during the fast of Sakat Chauth. The fast is complete with eating fruits in evening or at night. Many things are prepared by women to offer to the Almighty and those things are eaten next day as prasad by them. The most important ritual consists of roasting til and then it is mixed with Jaggery. In most of the places, a dummy of goat is prepared with this mixture and then the neck of the goat is cut by the son. This indicates that the bali of goat has been given in the honor and the life of children will remain protected.

The north Indian states celebrate Sakat Chauth enthusiastically and show their dedication to a great extent. Nothing in a person’s life is more important than his children and they perform all the rituals flawlessly to safeguard the life of their children.

Goddess Sakat and Lord Ganesha both are very well known for their kindness and easy to melt hearts. The fast of Sakat Chauth blesses people with long life of their children and also removes the hurdles of their life. The faith of people in Sakat Chauth is what that makes this festival more fascinating and significant.