Karwa Chauth

Karva Chauth is a festival observed by married women.

It is on the ‘Chaturthi’ that is the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik(North India).

As per the Amanta calendar followed in South India, it is observed in Ashwin Month.

This is a one-day festival in which the female folks observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise for the longevity and safety of their husbands.

In the northern states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh the festivities are observed on a grander scale.

It is celebrated as ‘Chhath’ in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.

The festival of Karva Chauth also coincides with a one-day festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, known as ‘Sankashti Chaturthi’.

The main aspect of the Karva Chauth vrat is the fast from dawn to dusk observed by both married and unmarried women.

The women observe this fast without eating or drinking anything till the time they see the moon.

The tradition of applying Mehendi or henna is an integral part of Karva Chauth.

It is a belief that if the color of the Mehendi is dark it is indicative that the lady will get plenty of care and love from her husband.

On the occasion of Karva Chauth, married women receive beautiful and expensive gifts from their husbands and in-laws.

The custom of gifting to their wives is an expression of love and strengthens the bond of love between man and wife.

On the auspicious day of Karva Chauth, women get up before sunrise and eat the specially prepared food, known as ‘sargi’.

After this, they are not allowed to drink even a drop of water. In the evening, all the women observing the Karva Chauth vrat dress up beautifully in their bridal jewelry. Newlywed brides even adorn their bridal costumes.

On this day, Lord Shiva is worshipped along with Goddess Parvati and their son ‘Kartikeya’. Women collectively listen to the Karva Chauth vrat Katha.

The fast is broken after the moonrise.

 Every woman holds a sieve and first looks towards her husband and then at the moon. Following this, they perform the aarti of their respective husbands and take their blessings.

As a part of the ritual, the husbands give their wives, the first sip of water and a bite of food.

After this all the women observing the Karva Chauth vrat take the blessings of the elders in their family.

The Karva used for ‘argh’ to the moon is then given to an elderly lady or even to a Brahmin as ‘dan’.

All the women of the household then collectively gather and together enjoy the scrumptious spread of food prepared.

2024 Date: October 20.