Karwa Chauth, one of the most awaited Hindu festivals, will be celebrated this Sunday across India. This auspicious day, also known as Karak Chaturthi, is marked by married women who fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying for the long life and good health of their husbands. This year, Karwa Chauth will be observed on October 20, and the moonrise is expected at 7:54 PM in New Delhi.
According to the Drik Panchang, the Chaturthi Tithi begins at 6:46 AM on October 20 and will end at 4:16 AM on October 21. The Puja, an important part of the rituals, will be conducted between 5:46 PM and 7:02 PM, giving women an hour and 16 minutes to offer their prayers.
Main Points
Significance of Karwa Chauth in Indian Culture
The festival of Karwa Chauth is steeped in devotion, folklore, and tradition. It’s celebrated mostly by married women in northern and western India, although its importance has spread across the nation due to its deep-rooted connection with marital love and devotion.
One of the most well-known stories linked with the festival is that of Queen Veeravati, who fainted from hunger while fasting on her first Karwa Chauth. Her brothers, worried about her health, tricked her into breaking the fast early by showing her a fake moon. As a result, her husband died, but her devotion and prayers to Goddess Parvati brought him back to life. This story reinforces the power of love, faith, and prayer.
Another tale from the Mahabharata involves Draupadi, who performed a strict fast while her husband Arjuna was in exile. Lord Krishna advised her to observe a fast similar to that of Goddess Parvati to ensure her husband’s safe return.
Rituals and Practices of Karwa Chauth
The day of Karwa Chauth is filled with various rituals, starting with the pre-dawn meal known as Sargi, which is traditionally prepared by the mother-in-law. This meal sustains women throughout the day as they observe a strict fast, refraining from even drinking water until the moonrise.
Women take a sacred vow, called Sankalp, where they pledge to fast for their husbands’ health and longevity. As the evening approaches, women dress up in beautiful traditional outfits, often in shades of red or pink, which symbolize marriage. They adorn their hands with intricate henna designs, adding a festive touch to the celebration.
The Karwa Chauth Puja is conducted during the evening, usually after sunset but before moonrise. Women gather in small groups or families, sitting together with earthen pots known as karwas. They offer prayers to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, seeking their blessings for a long, happy married life. The Puja is an essential aspect of the festival, as women listen to the Karwa Chauth Katha, a traditional story narrating the significance of the fast.
Once the moon is visible, women break their fast by offering water to the moon, known as Arghya, and pray for their husbands’ well-being. They look at their husbands through a sieve and receive the first morsel of food or water from them, marking the end of their fast. This tender moment strengthens the marital bond and adds a personal touch to the ceremony.
Moon Timings Across Major Indian Cities
The moonrise time is crucial for Karwa Chauth, as women eagerly await its sight to break their fast. Here are the moon timings for some major cities in India:
- Mumbai: 8:59 PM
- Pune: 8:56 PM
- Chennai: 8:43 PM
- Jaipur: 7:54 PM
- New Delhi: 8:15 PM
- Lucknow: 8:05 PM
- Bengaluru: 7:55 PM
- Ahmedabad: 7:38 PM
- Kolkata: 7:46 PM
Karwa Chauth Celebrations: A Display of Unity and Tradition
Although Karwa Chauth is more prominent in northern and western India, the festival has become a nationwide celebration of love and devotion. Women gather to perform the rituals with enthusiasm, decorating their homes and preparing traditional sweets like Gujiyas and Mathris. The festival is also a time for families to come together, strengthening bonds between in-laws and celebrating marital harmony.
In urban areas, Karwa Chauth has taken on a more social aspect, with gatherings, gift exchanges, and elaborate Puja ceremonies. Beauty parlors and boutiques also see an influx of customers, as women love to pamper themselves on this special day. Social media further adds to the excitement, as women share their fasting experiences and celebrate the festival’s importance.
A Festival Rooted in Devotion
Karwa Chauth remains one of the most significant festivals for married women in India, symbolizing their deep devotion, love, and respect for their husbands. Whether celebrated in small villages or big cities, the essence of the festival – fasting for the well-being and long life of husbands – stays the same.
This year’s Karwa Chauth is expected to be filled with the same joy, rituals, and prayers as always, as women across India come together in devotion and faith.
