As the name indicates, the Sankat-haaraa Ganesh Chaturthee is taken up to alleviate all kinds of problems.

Sankat Haaraa Ganesh Stotra is a very powerful Stotra. This Stotra is chanted daily for three times (at least once) to get rid of all the Sankat (problems). Haaraa means - killing or removing. All the problems get destroyed by chanting this Stotra of Lord Ganesh. Number 3 is very dear to Lord Ganesh, hence, it is desirable to chant this Stotra thrice if possible.

Sankat-haaraa Chaturthee falls every month on the Chauth (fourth day) after Poornima (Full Moon day) means it is Krishn Paksh Chaturthee. Sankat means trouble, an Haaraa means to take it off. So by keeping fast on this day all kinds of problems are removed. You can fast on this day, taking head bath in the morning and not eating in the day till the evening, have things like drinking milk and having a fruit, and having food only in the evening after Poojaa after offering Naivedya to Lord Ganesh. You can also have just a one time meal also that day depending on your ability to fast. God never tells us to do anything that is beyond our capacity or ability. It is up to us.

This Vrat, Sankat Chauth or Sankat Haaraa Chaturthee Vrat is observed on every Krishn Chaturthee, and is performed for Ganesh Jee to alleviate all problems. You can perform this Vrat for one time or making a Sankalp to do for 3, 5, or 7 times. It is said that number 3 is dearer to Ganesh and hence 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 or 21 are usually preferred. However, we can take a vow to do whatever number of times i.e, Chaturthee we feel like doing.

Method of Poojaa
In the morning, after your daily cores, take bath or if possible head bath. Do your morning prayers. Recite "Om Ganeshaaya Namah", "Om Vakratundaaya Hum", 108 times. I always recite the 108 names of Vinaayak. This is called Ganesh Ashtottar. On the Sankashti day one can recite the 108 names and bow to the Lord 21 times either in the morning or at night just before the Moon rise however convenient. During the fasting period, Saaboodaanaa Khichadee, fruits, curds with Beaten rice are permitted. If one cannot utter the 108 names due to shortage of time or any reason, he/she can by heart this song which is Sankasht Naashan Stotra and is written underneath.

In the evening, like you do for any Vrat, make a Mandap and place a photo of Lord Ganesh. In a small plate, separately, place another Ganesh made of Turmeric on a betel leaf. Decorate the photo of Lord Ganesh with available flowers. Light Diyaa (lamp) and Agarbattee (incense stick) and do the Panchopachaar Poojaa just like we do for Vinaayak Chaturthi - Dhyaan, Aavaahan, Aasan etc. Chant the Ganesh Ashtottar (you can do Sahasra Naam Poojaa also if you have time) breaking a coconut and offering plantains and Naivedya.

Offer Modak (rice flour cooked with a tsp of Bangaal Graam Daal and a tsp of ghee and Jeera each and then made into balls and steamed - there are variations in this preparation) as Naivdya. It is preferred to light Diyaa for Lord Vinaayak using Coconut oil. You can also offer some sweets etc again this is all depending on our capacity and ability. Main thing that is required is devotion and Shraddhaa. The next day, place the turmeric Ganesh in the Tulasee plant or any other flowering plant that is having green leaves. Just before the Moon rise, finish cooking and chant the Ashtottara, the Sankat Naashan Ganesh Stotra (either both or only the Sankat Naashan Ganesh Stotra whatever convenient) offer 2 coconuts, banana, flowers to the Lord, also offer some fragrance sticks, offer the Prasad prepared and then do Aaratee. Sing the song Jaya Ganesh, Jaya Ganesh, Jaya Ganesh Devaa... and ask for his blessings.

Regarding Moon rise - sometimes due to the clouds etc, the Moon may not be visible at the specified time. In that case after the Moon rise timings one may perform the Poojaa. The proper procedure for observing this Vrat is to keep a fast throughout the day, do Poojaa to Lord Ganesh in the evening and break the fast after sighting the Moon.

Take the vow to celebrate the Vrattam for 1 year continuously on all Sankat-haaraa Chathurthee, one can end the period by performing a "Vaanch Kalp Ganapati Hom" or "Mahaa Ganapati Hom" in the evening at the end of 1 year. By this performance, even difficult tasks can be accomplished in 1 year.