Sankata definition
Sankata in Sanskrit means difficulty, crisis or obstacle, while “hara” refers to removal or elimination. On this day, devotees fast from morning until moonrise. In the evening, after a ritual bath, Ganesha is worshipped with sacred Durva grass. Devotees recite His prayers – the Ganesha Gayatri, the Ashtothram Shatanamavali (His 108 names) and the Ganesha Atharvashirsha Avartan. The moon is also worshipped with offerings of flowers and sandalwood paste.