Panchangam 26 December 2026, Saturday: Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi, Moonrise Time, Tithi, Pushya Nakshatra and Ganesha Puja

Quick answer: Saturday 26 December 2026 is Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi, the monthly Ganesha fast of the waning moon. In Hyderabad, Krishna Tritiya lasts until 8:04 PM IST, Chaturthi follows, and the moon rises at 8:32 PM. The fast is broken after moonrise with an offering to the moon and a Ganesha puja.

Sankashti means "release from difficulty," and the vrat is one of the most widely kept monthly fasts, especially in Maharashtra and among Ganesha devotees everywhere. Today's long wait for a late moonrise makes it a real exercise in patience, which is perhaps the point.

Today's Panchang (Hyderabad)

Source: Drik Panchang day panchang for Hyderabad, Telangana (IST). Tithi and nakshatra end times are the same instant everywhere in India; sunrise, sunset and moonrise shift by a few minutes from city to city.

Vaidhriti yoga runs through the day and evening. Like Vyatipata, it is avoided in muhurta practice for new beginnings, but it is no obstacle to the Sankashti vrat or to prayer.

Religious significance

Ganesha is worshipped first in every Hindu ritual as Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles. Sankashti Chaturthi, on the fourth day after every full moon, is his monthly fast, and when it falls on a Tuesday it is called Angaraki. The worship of the moon at the end of the vrat connects with a popular Puranic story in which the moon laughed at Ganesha and was cursed, then forgiven; on Sankashti, the moon is honoured as part of Ganesha's grace.

Today's nakshatra until 8:12 PM is Pushya, whose ruling deity in classical lists is Brihaspati, the teacher of the gods. Pushya is regarded as one of the most nourishing and auspicious stars, a pleasant companion for a day of devotion. For the rules about moon-sighting and breaking the fast, see our Sankashti Chaturthi moon rules.

Sankashti puja vidhi

• Morning: bathe, light a lamp before Ganesha and take a simple intention (sankalpa) to keep the fast as your health allows.
• During the day, take fruit, milk, water or a single light meal according to your family's custom. Many avoid grains.
• In the evening, set up Ganesha with durva grass, red flowers and modak or laddu. Durva is traditional; any fresh green leaf offered with devotion is acceptable.
• Read or listen to the Sankashti vrat katha, or recite the Ganesha Atharvashirsha if you know it.
• After moonrise (8:32 PM in Hyderabad), offer water to the moon from a small vessel, with a little milk, rice and flower if available.
• Perform aarti to Ganesha and break the fast with prasadam.

No materials? Look at the moon, offer a mental prayer to Ganesha, and eat your first bite with gratitude. The vrat is about intention.

Mantra for the day

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah

Meaning: "Om, salutations to Ganapati," with "Gam" as Ganesha's bija syllable. Chant it 108 times during the evening puja. It is a prayer for steadiness and right effort; it does not promise that any particular obstacle will vanish.

Vrat guidance

This is a long fast because moonrise is late. Drink water through the day unless you keep a strict fast, and do not push yourself. Elderly people, pregnant women, children and anyone with diabetes or another medical condition should not feel obliged to fast and should consult a doctor.

What you can do today

• Note the moonrise time for your city before the evening.
• Offer durva grass to Ganesha; children can help tie small bunches.
• Read the eleventh Tiruppavai pasuram at dawn if you follow Dhanurmasam.
• On this Saturday, also light a sesame oil lamp if your family keeps Saturday prayers.
• Clear one small pending obstacle in your own life, such as a long-postponed call or task.
• Share modak or laddu prasadam with neighbours after the puja.

For families and children

Children enjoy watching for the moon. Let them be the ones to spot it and announce it. Tell the story of the moon laughing at Ganesha and what it teaches about humility. Children should eat normally; they can join the puja and help with the arghya.

Hindus abroad: Sat 26 Dec at local sunrise

Outside India, go by your local sunrise, not Indian clock times. The table gives local sunrise and sunset and the tithi and nakshatra at local sunrise, computed with HinduTone's panchang calculator, validated against Drik Panchang; festival dates abroad can differ by a day — follow your temple's panchang.

Krishna Tritiya prevails at sunrise everywhere listed, and Sankashti abroad depends on local moonrise. Check your local panchang or temple; in some cities the vrat may fall on 27 December.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Sankashti on 26 December when the tithi at sunrise is Tritiya?

Sankashti is fixed by the tithi at moonrise, not at sunrise. In Hyderabad, Krishna Chaturthi begins at 8:04 PM IST and the moon rises at 8:32 PM, so Chaturthi prevails at moonrise on 26 December. That is why Drik Panchang lists Akhuratha Sankashti today.

What time is moonrise on Sankashti, 26 December 2026?

In Hyderabad the moon rises at 8:32 PM IST. Moonrise differs by city, so devotees elsewhere should check a local panchang. Abroad, use your own local moonrise; do not convert the Indian time.

What does Akhuratha mean?

Akhu means mouse and ratha means chariot or vehicle, so Akhuratha is Ganesha who rides the mouse. Each monthly Sankashti has its own name for Ganesha; Akhuratha is the name used for the Sankashti of Pausha (purnimanta).

How is the Sankashti fast broken?

Traditionally, after sighting the moon, devotees offer arghya (water) to the moon, perform Ganesha puja and then eat. Those who cannot see the moon because of cloud can break the fast at the listed moonrise time. Elderly people, pregnant women and anyone with a medical condition should not feel obliged to fast.

A closing thought

Waiting for the moon teaches what Ganesha teaches: that obstacles pass, often in their own time. Tomorrow is Sunday, the expected day of Mandala Pooja at Sabarimala.

Previous day: Panchang Friday 25 December 2026. Next day: Panchang Sunday 27 December 2026. Whole month: December 2026 Hindu festivals, dates and rituals.

Editor's note

Editor's note (9 October 2026): Panchang timings and festival observances can vary by location, regional calendar and family tradition. This guide follows Drik Panchang for Hyderabad (IST). Please verify local puja timings with a trusted panchang or priest.

Related guides

• Sankashti Chaturthi moon rules
• Ganesha Gayatri mantra
• December 2026 vrat and fasting calendar
• How to do abhishekam at home for Shiva or Ganesha