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Sankashti Chaturthi dates in 2026 now point to Thursday, 29 October 2026 as the next observance for Telugu devotees. This is Vakratunda Sankashti. In Hyderabad, moonrise is at 8:41 PM IST, according to Drik Panchang. The other upcoming observances this year fall on 27 November and 26 December.
The annual calendar below also explains the Chaturthi tithi, the extra lunar month in 2026, and a simple Telugu puja procedure. Because moonrise varies by location, readers outside Hyderabad should check the timing for their own city.
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Sankashti Chaturthi Dates 2026 at a Glance
Three Sankashti Chaturthi observances remain from 27 October through the end of 2026. Hyderabad is the reference city for the clock times below, so local moonrise elsewhere may differ.
- Next Sankashti: Thursday, 29 October 2026 — Vakratunda Sankashti.
- Hyderabad moonrise on 29 October: 8:41 PM IST.
- Chaturthi tithi on 29 October: 1:06 AM to 10:09 PM IST.
- Following observances: 27 November and 26 December 2026.
- Extra observance this year: Vibhuvana Sankashti during Adhika Jyeshtha.
- Last Angarki Sankashti of 2026: 29 September, which has already passed.
The October tithi remains in effect at Hyderabad moonrise, so the local date and moonrise match the traditional observance rule. For full details, consult the Drik Panchang Hyderabad Sankashti calendar.
Full Sankashti Chaturthi Dates and Moonrise Calendar for 2026
The table retains all 13 observances from the site’s 2026 calendar. Past dates remain useful for checking an old vrat, while the final three rows help with upcoming planning.
All clock times use Hyderabad and Indian Standard Time. The tithi start and end indicate an astronomical lunar period, not a fixed puja appointment or an opening time at any temple.
Hyderabad month-by-month reference calendar
| Date | Sankashti name | Chaturthi tithi (IST) | Hyderabad moonrise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Jan, Tue | Lambodara | 6 Jan 8:01 AM – 7 Jan 6:52 AM | 9:06 PM |
| 5 Feb, Thu | Dwijapriya | 5 Feb 12:09 AM – 6 Feb 12:22 AM | 9:30 PM |
| 6 Mar, Fri | Bhalachandra | 6 Mar 5:53 PM – 7 Mar 7:17 PM | 9:00 PM |
| 5 Apr, Sun | Vikata | 5 Apr 11:59 AM – 6 Apr 2:10 PM | 9:27 PM |
| 5 May, Tue | Ekadanta (Angarki) | 5 May 5:24 AM – 6 May 7:51 AM | 9:59 PM |
| 3 Jun, Wed | Vibhuvana | 3 Jun 9:21 PM – 4 Jun 11:30 PM | 9:32 PM |
| 3 Jul, Fri | Krishnapingala | 3 Jul 11:20 AM – 4 Jul 12:39 PM | 9:33 PM |
| 2 Aug, Sun | Gajanana | 1 Aug 11:07 PM – 2 Aug 11:15 PM | 9:20 PM |
| 31 Aug, Mon | Heramba | 31 Aug 8:50 AM – 1 Sep 7:41 AM | 8:35 PM |
| 29 Sep, Tue | Vighnaraja (Angarki) | 29 Sep 5:09 PM – 30 Sep 2:55 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 29 Oct, Thu | Vakratunda — next | 29 Oct 1:06 AM – 10:09 PM | 8:41 PM |
| 27 Nov, Fri | Ganadhipa | 27 Nov 9:48 AM – 28 Nov 6:39 AM | 8:39 PM |
| 26 Dec, Sat | Akhuratha | 26 Dec 8:04 PM – 27 Dec 5:12 PM | 8:32 PM |
For the date sequence, you can also compare AstroSage’s 2026 Sankashti list. Different publishers may show slightly different minutes, so use one city-specific calendar consistently for the actual vrat.
What Is the Next Sankashti Chaturthi in 2026?
The next Sankashti Chaturthi is Vakratunda Sankashti on Thursday, 29 October 2026. In Hyderabad, Krishna Paksha Chaturthi begins at 1:06 AM and ends at 10:09 PM on the same date. Moonrise at 8:41 PM falls within that tithi, making Thursday the relevant Hyderabad observance day.
These Sankashti Chaturthi dates replace the expired 29 September reference for the next vrat. September’s Vighnaraja Sankashti was an Angarki observance because it fell on Tuesday. By contrast, 29 October is a Thursday, so it is not Angarki Sankashti.
Moonrise is an astronomical estimate, not a guarantee of a clear view of the moon. If clouds obscure it, follow your household or priest’s practice and consult the local panchang before completing the vrat.
Sankashti Chaturthi Dates Remaining in 2026
From 27 October, the three remaining Sankashti Chaturthi dates are 29 October, 27 November, and 26 December. The dates below follow the Hyderabad reference calendar, not a single moonrise time for all of India.
- 29 October, Thursday: Vakratunda Sankashti. Hyderabad moonrise is 8:41 PM, during Chaturthi.
- 27 November, Friday: Ganadhipa Sankashti. Hyderabad moonrise is 8:39 PM. The tithi continues into the next morning.
- 26 December, Saturday: Akhuratha Sankashti. Hyderabad moonrise is 8:32 PM, shortly after the tithi begins.
When reading Sankashti Chaturthi dates, December’s short gap matters: Chaturthi starts at 8:04 PM, just 28 minutes before the calculated Hyderabad moonrise. Therefore, do not automatically copy the date or ritual time from a calendar set to another city.
The next observance after December belongs to the 2027 calendar. Check a new annual panchang instead of estimating it by adding a fixed number of days.
Why Does 2026 Have 13 Sankashti Observances?
The Hindu lunar calendar includes an extra month, called Adhika Masam, in some years. In 2026, Adhika Jyeshtha creates an additional Sankashti observance named Vibhuvana Sankashti. Hyderabad’s 2026 calendar therefore contains 13 observances rather than the usual 12.
The extra month also explains why simply copying last year’s festival dates does not work. The lunar and civil calendars do not advance together by a fixed interval. After Adhika Masam, later dates can look unusually late compared with the previous year.
Readers following the wider Telugu festival cycle can compare our Karthika Pournami date guide. It explains another date shift during the same year.
Why do some calendars list 3 June and others 4 June?
Published calendars can disagree about Vibhuvana Sankashti because of how they apply the moonrise rule and choose a location. Drik Panchang lists Wednesday, 3 June 2026 for Hyderabad. However, some general calendars list 4 June. Use the local moonrise and one consistent panchang tradition.
How Are Sankashti Chaturthi Dates Decided?
Sankashti Chaturthi falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi, the fourth lunar tithi after Purnima. For the fasting observance, the crucial test is whether Chaturthi prevails at local moonrise. Therefore, its calendar date can occasionally differ between places even when the tithi interval is the same.
When comparing Sankashti Chaturthi dates, remember each lunar month also has a Shukla Paksha Chaturthi after Amavasya. That is the monthly Vinayaka Chaturthi, so it should not be confused with the Sankashti moonrise vrat.
How to confirm the correct date for your city
- Open a location-aware panchang, such as Drik Panchang, and choose your town or city.
- Select the 2026 Sankashti calendar and note the Chaturthi start and end.
- Read the moonrise shown for that same location and date.
- Confirm that Chaturthi prevails at moonrise, then follow your family’s puja custom.
Hyderabad’s 8:41 PM time on 29 October is not a universal Telangana or Andhra Pradesh timing. For example, families in Tirupati, Vijayawada, Warangal, and Visakhapatnam should select their own city before planning the moon offering.
Sankashti Chaturthi in Telugu Tradition
Telugu-speaking families also call this observance Sankatahara Chaturthi or Sankashtahara Chavithi. Devotees worship Lord Ganesha and traditionally pray for relief from obstacles, peace, and clarity. These are expressions of religious faith rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Household customs vary. Some people observe a fast from morning until moonrise, while others take fruit, milk, or simple vrat food. Families may recite a Ganesha stotram, perform aarti, or listen to the month’s vrat katha before the moon offering.
Simple Sankashti Chaturthi Telugu Puja Procedure
The home puja can be modest because the main observance is prayer followed by the local moonrise ritual. If your family already uses a particular sankalpam or mantra, retain that practice instead of adopting an unfamiliar sequence from a generic calendar.
- Prepare the space: Clean the puja area and place a Ganesha image or murti on a stable surface.
- Make the sankalpam: State your intention to observe Sankatahara Chaturthi according to family tradition.
- Offer simple naivedyam: Use flowers, durva grass if available, fruit, coconut, modakam, or undrallu.
- Pray or chant: Recite a familiar Ganesha prayer. A set mantra count is optional unless your tradition calls for one.
- Complete the evening worship: Perform aarti and read or hear the vrat katha if that is customary.
- Check moonrise: Use the city-specific time before making the moon offering.
- Finish the vrat: After moonrise, offer arghya to Chandra and break the fast according to your household practice.
If clouds block the moon, the calculated local moonrise still gives useful guidance. However, families differ on whether they wait to see the moon or follow the panchang time. Ask a trusted priest or follow your established family practice rather than treating one online instruction as universal.
What Was Angarki Sankashti in 2026?
Angarki, also called Angaraki Sankashti, occurs when Sankashti falls on a Tuesday. In 2026, those dates were 6 January, 5 May, and 29 September. All three have passed by 27 October, so the upcoming Vakratunda Sankashti is not an Angarki observance.
Many devotees attach special devotional significance to Angarki Sankashti. However, this does not change the basic rule for checking tithi and local moonrise.
Fasting Safety and Practical Mistakes
A Sankashti fast may last until late evening. If you have diabetes, low blood pressure, kidney disease, or other health concerns, speak with a qualified clinician before fasting. Pregnancy, medicines, and strenuous work can also make strict fasting unsafe.
Do not skip prescribed medication for a religious fast without medical advice. A lighter observance with prayer and suitable food may be more appropriate, especially for children and older adults.
- Do not reuse the September 2026 date as the next vrat after it has passed.
- Do not treat 8:41 PM as the moonrise across every city in the Telugu states.
- Do not confuse monthly Sankashti with the annual Vinayaka Chavithi festival.
- Do not assume every food, mantra, or fasting rule is compulsory for all families.
For the separate annual Ganesh festival, see our Vinayaka Chavithi Telugu calendar guide.
Before You Observe Vakratunda Sankashti
The immediate date to remember is 29 October 2026, with 8:41 PM moonrise in Hyderabad. November 27 and December 26 are the other two Sankashti dates left in 2026. Check your local moonrise close to the observance because city settings matter.
This Sankashti Chaturthi dates guide keeps 2022 in its original URL, reflecting its first publication year. That historical slug does not change the current 2026 calendar, and readers should use the updated information on the page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sankashti Chaturthi Dates
When is the next Sankashti Chaturthi in 2026?
The next Sankashti is Thursday, 29 October 2026, named Vakratunda Sankashti. For Hyderabad, Drik Panchang gives moonrise at 8:41 PM. The Chaturthi tithi runs from 1:06 AM to 10:09 PM on that date.
What time is the moonrise on 29 October 2026 in Hyderabad?
Hyderabad moonrise is 8:41 PM IST on Thursday, 29 October, according to Drik Panchang. Other astronomical calendars can differ by a few minutes. If you live elsewhere, use the local moonrise instead of the Hyderabad reference.
What are the remaining Sankashti Chaturthi dates in 2026?
Three dates remain from 27 October: 29 October, 27 November, and 26 December 2026. In Hyderabad, their moonrise times are 8:41 PM, 8:39 PM, and 8:32 PM respectively.
Is 29 October 2026 Angarki Sankashti?
No. Angarki Sankashti falls on a Tuesday, while 29 October 2026 is a Thursday. The last Tuesday Sankashti in 2026 was Vighnaraja Sankashti on 29 September.
Why are there 13 Sankashti dates in 2026?
The 2026 Hindu lunar calendar has Adhika Jyeshtha, an extra lunar month. It adds a Vibhuvana Sankashti observance in June. As a result, Hyderabad’s calendar has 13 Sankashti dates during 2026.
Can I follow the same moonrise time in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana?
No. Moonrise changes with location, so times in Hyderabad and Vijayawada need not match. Choose your own city on a panchang before finishing the evening vrat.
Can I eat during Sankashti fasting?
That depends on household tradition and personal health. Some families allow fruit or a light vrat meal. If fasting interferes with medicine or a medical condition, seek professional advice before observing a strict fast.
Is Sankashti Chaturthi the same as Ganesh Chaturthi?
No. Sankashti is Krishna Paksha Chaturthi after the full moon, with moonrise central to the vrat. Monthly Vinayaka Chaturthi is in Shukla Paksha after the new moon. The major annual Ganesh Chaturthi celebration follows that bright-fortnight tradition.