
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, on the Shukla Paksha Chaturthi Tithi of the Ashwina month, devotees observe a sacred fast and worship Lord Ganesha. On this day, Lord Ganesha is venerated in His Kapardisha Vinayaka form. As prescribed in the scriptures, Lord Kapardisha Vinayaka should be worshipped through the Purusha Sukta with the Shodashopachara Puja.
According to the sacred Hindu texts, observing the Ashwina Shukla Chaturthi Vrat grants rare and divine blessings. Lord Ganesha is regarded as the bestower of wisdom, knowledge and intelligence; therefore, by observing this Vrat, a devotee attains these rare and noble virtues.
In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the Pratham Pujya Devata, i.e., the foremost deity to be worshipped before commencing any ritual, ceremony or auspicious task. According to the scriptures, it was Lord Brahma Himself who declared Lord Ganesha as the first deity to be worshipped. Observing this Shukla Paksha Chaturthi Vrat dedicated to Lord Ganesha removes all obstacles from life and brings success in every endeavor.
Thus, the Ashwina Shukla Chaturthi Vrat, devoted to the worship of Lord Kapardisha Vinayaka, is a powerful observance that grants intelligence, success and divine blessings while dispelling difficulties and leading the devotee toward success on every front of life.
According to the Mudgala Purana, one should observe a Nirjala Vrat, i.e. fasting without water during the Chaturthi Vrat performed in the Ashwina month. On this day, Lord Ganesha should be worshipped with full devotion through the Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi during Madhyahna Kala. One should observe the fast with discipline, spending the entire day in remembrance of Lord Ganesha. Thereafter, at night, keep a Jagarana, accompanied by family and relatives.
To obtain the complete merit of the Vrat, one should recite or listen to the Kapardisha Chaturthi Vrat Katha. On the following day, the Panchami Tithi, the Vrat should be ceremoniously concluded by doing Parana in the presence of a Brahmin.