Sankashti Chaturthi is a sacred festival dedicated to Lord Ganesh, also known as Vighnaharta, meaning the remover of obstacles. It is celebrated fervently by many Hindu devotees, occurring every lunar month on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha, which is the waning phase of the moon.

Pitru Paksha, also referred to as Shradh Paksha, is a 16-day period in Hinduism dedicated to the worship of ancestors. According to belief, the souls of three generations of deceased ancestors reside in a transitional realm known as Pitrulok (Pitralok). During Pitru Paksha / Shradh Paksha, Yamaraj or Yama, the God of Death, releases these souls to visit their living relatives and accept offerings of gifts, food, and water. Pitru Paksha / Shradh Paksha is observed annually for fifteen days, during which people typically gather at the banks of rivers, including the sacred Ganges, to offer these provisions to their departed ancestors.