
Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Lancaster, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
According to the Hindu Panchang, Dhundhiraja Chaturthi Vrat is observed on Shukla Paksha Chaturthi of the Phalguna month. In the Matsya Purana, this Vrat is also referred to as Manoratha Chaturthi. On this sacred day, devotees worship Lord Ganesha in His Dhundhiraja form.
When the Chaturthi Tithi falls on a Sunday or Tuesday, it is considered especially auspicious and is known as Angaraka Chaturthi. In addition to fasting, this observance includes the recitation of sacred legends and stories that describe the significance of Lord Ganesha's worship on this day. Many regional folk tales associated with this Vrat are also popular and listening to them enhances faith and devotion toward Lord Ganesha.
Matsya Purana describes a fast called Manoratha Chaturthi, observed on the Phalguna Shukla Chaturthi. On this occasion, it is prescribed to observe a Nakta Vrat, meaning that one should partake of food only once at night. On the day of Phalguna Shukla Chaturthi, devotees should worship a golden idol of Lord Ganesha and continue observing this Vrat on every Shukla Chaturthi throughout the year. After completing the year-long observance, the idol should be donated. By performing this Vrat with devotion, all desires and wishes are fulfilled.
According to the Varaha Purana, observing the Avighnakara Vrat on Phalguna Shukla Chaturthi bestows great spiritual merit. During this observance, devotees worship a golden idol of Lord Ganesha, offer sesame seeds as Naivedya and donate five copper or metal vessels filled with sesame seeds to Brahmin. The ritual also includes serving meals prepared from sesame to Brahmins and partaking of sesame-based food oneself at the time of Parana. This Vrat is traditionally observed for four consecutive months and in the fifth month, i.e., Ashadha, it is concluded with the Udyapana ceremony, during which the idol of Lord Ganesha is donated to a learned Brahmin.
In the past, King Sagara observed this Vrat to ensure the successful completion of his Ashvamedha Yajna; Lord Shiva performed it before His battle with Tripurasura and Lord Vishnu undertook it prior to the Samudra Manthan.
According to traditional practice, the golden idol of Lord Ganesha should be worshipped with Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi. After the main worship, one should perform Havana using sesame seeds, followed by Dana, i.e., donation of sesame-based items. Prepare various dishes made of sesame and serve them to Brahmins with devotion. Then, as mentioned in Mudgala Purana, conclude all rituals by performing Parana i.e. breaking the fast, in the presence of a Brahmin on Panchami Tithi.
After observing the Vrat throughout the year, conclude it with the Udyapana ceremony and donate the golden idol of Lord Ganesha to the officiating Acharya. By faithfully observing the Phalguna Shukla Chaturthi Vrat according to the prescribed procedure, devotees are blessed with all forms of happiness, peace and prosperity.