The next Sankashti Chaturthi in the UAE is Tuesday, 29 September 2026, with moonrise in Dubai at 7:52 PM, and the full list below runs to September 2027. Sankashti Chaturthi falls on the Chaturthi after every full moon and is kept in honour of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Devotees traditionally fast through the day and open the fast once the moon has risen.
Sankashti Chaturthi Dates, September 2026 to September 2027
Moonrise is the time that matters most for breaking the fast, so it has its own column. Times after midnight belong to the next date shown in the same cell.
| Date (UAE) | Sankashti | Moonrise (Dubai) | Chaturthi begins | Chaturthi ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 29 Sep 2026 | Vighnaraja Sankashti | 7:52 PM | 3:39 PM, 29 Sep | 1:25 PM, 30 Sep |
| Thu 29 Oct 2026 | Vakratunda Sankashti (Karwa Chauth) | 8:29 PM | 11:36 PM, 28 Oct | 8:39 PM, 29 Oct |
| Fri 27 Nov 2026 | Ganadhipa Sankashti | 8:29 PM | 8:18 AM, 27 Nov | 5:09 AM, 28 Nov |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Akhuratha Sankashti | 8:27 PM | 6:34 PM, 26 Dec | 3:42 PM, 27 Dec |
| Mon 25 Jan 2027 | Lambodara Sankashti (Sakat Chauth) | 9:19 PM | 6:40 AM, 25 Jan | 4:30 AM, 26 Jan |
| Tue 23 Feb 2027 | Dwijapriya Sankashti | 9:00 PM | 8:18 PM, 23 Feb | 7:09 PM, 24 Feb |
| Thu 25 Mar 2027 | Bhalachandra Sankashti | 9:43 PM | 11:07 AM, 25 Mar | 11:13 AM, 26 Mar |
| Sat 24 Apr 2027 | Vikata Sankashti | 10:23 PM | 2:50 AM, 24 Apr | 4:11 AM, 25 Apr |
| Sun 23 May 2027 | Ekadanta Sankashti | 9:55 PM | 7:11 PM, 23 May | 9:28 PM, 24 May |
| Tue 22 Jun 2027 | Krishnapingala Sankashti | 9:51 PM | 11:37 AM, 22 Jun | 2:12 PM, 23 Jun |
| Thu 22 Jul 2027 | Gajanana Sankashti | 9:26 PM | 3:16 AM, 22 Jul | 5:26 AM, 23 Jul |
| Fri 20 Aug 2027 | Heramba Sankashti (Bahula Chaturthi) | 8:29 PM | 5:23 PM, 20 Aug | 6:34 PM, 21 Aug |
| Sun 19 Sep 2027 | Vighnaraja Sankashti | 8:15 PM | 5:38 AM, 19 Sep | 5:38 AM, 20 Sep |
For festival dates and tithi timings beyond Sankashti, see the Divine Sansar Hindu Calendar, set to UAE local time.
What Is Sankashti Chaturthi?
Sankashti comes from "sankat," meaning difficulty, and Chaturthi, the fourth lunar day. In the Krishna Paksha, the fortnight after the full moon, this Chaturthi is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, and each month carries its own name of the deity, such as Vakratunda or Ekadanta. It is especially popular in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, and is kept by Ganesha devotees across the Indian community in the UAE.
Traditionally, the day is one of prayer, a fast and remembrance of Ganesha as the one who clears the path. It is a devotional observance and is kept as a matter of faith and personal intention.
How Sankashti Chaturthi Is Observed
The fast. Many devotees keep a day-long fast, some taking only fruit, milk or water, and break it after moonrise. It is a personal choice, and a lighter version of the fast is common among working households.
Ganesh puja. In the evening, a lamp is lit before Ganesha and durva grass, flowers and a sweet such as modak are offered. Reciting the Ganpati Atharvashirsha or a simple mantra is a common part of the puja. Our guide to Ganesha mantras and puja covers the steps.
Moon sighting. After moonrise, water is offered to the moon, the fast is opened and the family shares a simple meal. Many families also read or listen to the Sankashti vrat katha.
Observing Sankashti Chaturthi in the UAE
In Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman the fast is usually kept around the working day, with the puja done in the evening at the home altar before moonrise. Dubai moonrise falls between roughly 7:50 PM and 10:25 PM across the dates in the table above, so it is worth checking the row for your month before planning dinner.
City lights and haze sometimes make the moon hard to spot, so many households go by the listed moonrise time and offer water at the balcony or window. If your tradition follows a specific rule for a tithi that spans two days, ask your family priest.
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
Salutations to Lord Ganapati - chanted during the evening puja.
For the Sankashti evening puja
Ganesh puja essentials, curated for UAE delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next Sankashti Chaturthi in the UAE?
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, Dubai time. Chaturthi begins at 3:39 PM on 29 September, and moonrise in Dubai that evening is at 7:52 PM. The next one after that is Thursday, 29 October 2026.
What is Sankashti Chaturthi?
It is the Chaturthi of the Krishna Paksha, the fourth day after the full moon, and is kept every lunar month in honour of Lord Ganesha. The name means Chaturthi that removes sankat, or difficulty, in devotional terms. Households traditionally fast through the day and break the fast after sighting the moon.
Why does moonrise matter, and why is it different in Dubai?
The fast is traditionally opened after moonrise, so the moonrise time is the number that matters most. Dubai moonrise times in this table differ from Indian listings, so use the UAE column rather than a forwarded Indian timetable.
Do these timings apply in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman?
Yes. Timings across the four emirates differ by only a few minutes, so the Dubai figures cover the whole UAE.
Which Chaturthi is Sankashti and which is Vinayaka?
Sankashti falls in the Krishna Paksha, after the full moon, while Vinayaka Chaturthi falls in the Shukla Paksha, after the new moon. This page lists Sankashti only.
What is Karwa Chauth doing on this list?
The Sankashti on 29 October 2026 and 18 October 2027 is listed in the panchang alongside Karwa Chauth, which is kept on the same Chaturthi in the Kartika month. Check your own family tradition for which observance you follow.
How do I break the fast in the UAE?
Most families do a short Ganesh puja and offer water to the moon after sighting it, then eat a simple meal. If the moon is not visible through city haze, many households go by the listed moonrise time and follow their family or priest's guidance.
Who can keep the Sankashti fast?
It is a devotional practice open to anyone who wishes to observe it. Fasting is a personal choice, so keep it in a way that suits you and your health, and follow the advice of your family priest or doctor where relevant.
Preparing for the coming months? Browse our Pooja Samagri collection for puja essentials, or read about Ganesh Chaturthi, the great annual festival of Lord Ganesha.
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