Karva Chauth is a festival celebrated by Hindu women and festival that holds a special place in the hearts of married couples across India of Northern and Western India in October or November which falls on the Hindu lunar month of Kartika.
Like many Hindu festivals, Karva Chauth is based on the lunisolar calendar which accounts for all astronomical positions, especially positions of the moon which is used as a symbol to calculate important dates. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon according to the Hindu calendar. It is a day when married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the long and prosperous life of their husbands.
The festival is not just a religious or cultural event but a celebration of the enduring love and commitment that defines the institution of marriage in India.
Origin of Karva Chauth
The word Karva means a pot, and Chauth refers to the fourth day. The festival falls on the fourth day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, just nine days before the grand festival of Diwali. Karva Chauth is majorly celebrated in Northern India.
One popular story associated with Karva Chauth is the story of Queen Veervati. According to this legend, Queen Veervati was deeply devoted to her husband and observed a strict fast on Karva Chauth. One day, while she was waiting for the moonrise, she became extremely weak due to fasting the entire day.
Seeing her suffering, her seven brothers couldn’t bear her plight and decided to deceive her. They reflected a false moon with a mirror and informed her that the moon had risen.
Believing this, Queen Veervati broke her fast and immediately received news of her husband’s critical condition. She rushed to her husband’s palace, but it was too late. Her husband passed away due to a premature breaking of her fast. Heartbroken, she prayed intensely and received divine guidance.
She was advised to observe the fast with sincerity, and her husband was miraculously resurrected. This story underscores the belief that observing Karva Chauth with unwavering devotion can bring prosperity and longevity to one’s husband.
Karva Chauth Vrat Katha | karva chauth ki kahani
During Karva Chauth all women listen Karva Chauth Vrat katha or karva chauth ki kahani. The one the famous kahani or Khata is as follows.
A woman whose name was Karva was deeply devoted to her husband. Her intense love and dedication towards him gave her Shakti which means spiritual power. While bathing in a river, her husband was attacked by a crocodile, Karva bound the crocodile with cotton yarn and asked Yama (the god of death) to send the crocodile to hell. Yama refused.
Karva threatened to curse Yama and destroy him then Yama, afraid of being cursed by a pativrata which means devoted wife, sent the crocodile to hell and blessed Karva’s husband with a long life. Karva and her husband enjoyed many years of wedded bliss, this day, Karva Chauth is celebrated with great faith and belief.
Rituals of Karva Chauth
The rituals of Karwa Chauth involve having a nirjala fast where married women do not eat or drink for the entire day. Women seek blessings from Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for a happy and long married life. Married women break their fast only after sighting the moon and offering arghya to it using an earthen pot.
The Sargi
The day begins early for married women with a pre-dawn meal known as “Sargi.” The mother-in-law usually prepares this meal, which includes various traditional foods like sweets, dry fruits, and savory dishes. Sargi is considered an essential part of the fast as it provides nourishment for the day ahead. It usually consists of sweets, matthri, dry fruits, and feni along with a saree and jewelry.
Married women consume the items in the thali before observing the Karva Chauth fast. Nowadays, some husbands also observe the Karva Chauth fast and pray for the well-being of their wives. As per tradition, mothers keep Ahoi Ashtami Vrat for the long life of their sons four days after Karwa Chauth. To mark the festival, women sport new and traditional outfits and adorn their hands with henna while many also sing folk tales and narrate folk tales in groups.
Married women should get up early in the morning and take a bath. Then, they should start cleaning the temple, light a diya, worship Maa Parvati, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya, take a pledge for a nirjala vrat, and listen to Karva Chauth Katha.
Red Attire and Mehnadi
Newly married brides should wear traditional clothes in red, do solah Srinagar, and apply mehendi on their hands and feet which symbolizes love and matrimony. They should avoid wearing black, brown, and white colors. Because white and black are not considered auspicious, brown represents Rahu and Ketu. Apart from red, they can wear red, pink, yellow, green, and maroon which not only enhance the festive spirit but also have cultural and symbolic significance. For karva chauth mehndi design Click Now.
Karva Chauth Puja Thali
In the evening, women gather at a common place, often a community or neighborhood temple or in each other’s homes, for the Karva Chauth puja. They bring with them a decorated Puja Thali containing items like a Karva which is a clay pot, water, incense, a diya which is an oil lamp, and various food offerings. The puja is a collective event where married women come together to pray for the well-being and longevity of their husbands.
Moon Sighting
The most anticipated moment of the day is the moon sighting. Women break their fast after they have seen the moon. They look at the moon through a sieve and then at their husbands through the same sieve. This ritual is believed to transfer the moon’s blessings to their husbands and strengthen their marital bond.
Gifting
After the moon is sighted, husbands give their wives gifts, often jewelry or clothing. This gesture symbolizes their appreciation for their wives’ dedication and sacrifice during the fast. It is a way of expressing their love and commitment towards each other.
Significance of Karwa Chauth
Karva Chauth is observed by married Hindu women seeking the long life, well-being, and prosperity of their husbands. All married women keep a strict fast and do not take even a drop of water after sunrise. This is the most important and difficult fast observed by married Hindu women.
Karva Chauth 2022
Karva Chauth Was celebrated on 13th October in the year 2022
Karva Chauth 2023
Karva Chauth is celebrated on 1st November 2023
Karva Chauth 2024
Karva Chauth will be celebrated on 20th October in the year 2024.
Karva Chauth benefits
1. Good digestive system:- To begin with the Vrat, women eat Sargi which includes sweets, etc early in the morning which is why they are said to have good digestive strength.
2. Detoxifies body:- The Vrat for the complete day helps the body to neutralize the toxins and keep the body naturally detoxified and keeps the overall health in good condition.
3. Enhances the Smriti and Dhriti:- Fasting on the day of Karva Chauth has a direct, positive, and healthy effect on the chemical factors of the brain. Offering mental clarity, the brain functions highly improved as new neurons are formed on this day.
4. Boosts the immune system:- Observing strict Vrat for the complete day recycles the old white cells in the body and forms new cells naturally leading to improvement in the immune system so that one can overcome any diseases.
5. Reduces Blood Sugar:- Fasting may improve blood sugar control, which can be valuable for those at risk of diabetes, the body’s sensitivity to insulin can be increased by promoting insulin resistance, allowing the transportation of glucose from the bloodstream to the cells efficiently.
Where is Karva Chauth Celebrated?
Karva Chauth is primarily celebrated in North India, especially in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Himachal Pradesh. It is also observed in other regions of India where there are significant North Indian communities. In addition to India, Karva Chauth is celebrated by Indian communities living abroad, making it a global observance among the Indian diaspora.
Important things for Karva Chauth Pooja Thali
- 1. Karva:- Two Karvas in Karva Chauth Vrat Thali are necessary as they symbolize peace and porosity.
- 2. Sieve:- One of the most important and notable parts of the Karva Chauth Vrat Thalii is Sieve or Channi.
- 3. Clay Diya:- Another important element of the Thali is the Clay diya
- 4. Lota:- It is a globular water container important to offer water to the moon and to open the fast.
- 5. Sindoor:- Siondoor or vermilion is important for Hindu married women and represents the martial status of a woman.
- 6. Katha Book:- To narrate the Karva Chauth as a part of the ritual, the Katha Book is an important element.
- 7. Fruits:- After a day of fasting, fruits are kept in the Karva Chauth Thali as they are healthy for one who is fasting.
Facts about Karva Chauth
Here are some interesting facts about the festival of Karwa Chauth that you shouldn’t miss.
- 1. The festival of Karwa Chauth is not only a fasting day but also enhances the bond between the girl and her mother-in-law.
- 2. married women especially observe a fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands.
- 3. The Karva Chauth fast is traditionally celebrated in the states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.
- 4. Married women keep a strict fast and do not take even a drop of water after sunrise.
- 5. women gather at a common place, often a community or neighborhood temple or in each other’s homes, for the Karva Chauth puja.
- 6. The most anticipated moment of the day is the moon sighting. Women break their fast after they have seen the moon.
Similar popular fast Ahoi Ashtami for Kids/ Sons in India
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the spiritual significance of Karwa Chauth?
It is observed by married Hindu women seeking the long life, well-being, and prosperity of their husbands. All married women keep a strict fast and do not take even a drop of water after sunrise. It is a very important and difficult fast observed by married Hindu women.
Which God is worshiped in Karwa Chauth?
On Karwa Chauth, women wake up early, finish their morning chores, and then worship Lord Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesha as per the Karwa Chauth Pooja vidhi, and then they eat something, but this is done before Sunrise.
What colors should be avoided during Karwa Chauth?
Married Women should avoid black or white shades of clothes in this festival.
When is Karva Chauth 2023 is celebrated?
Karva Chauth is celebrated on 1st November in 2023
Which color is good for Karwa Chauth?
Red is the most commonly worn color on Karwa Chauth. It represents love, passion, and marital happiness. Red sarees symbolize the deep bond between husband and wife and are considered most auspicious.
Karva chauth kab hai?
This year karva chauth will be celebrated on 1st Nov 2023, Wednesday.
When will moon come on karva chauth 2023
karva Chauth will be celebrated on 1st Nov 2023 , Wednesday The moon rise time on 1st Nov 2023 is 7:46pm in 59 Degree.
What to eat in sargi in karva chauth
In Hinduism, it’s important to eat pure vegetarian food during special occasions like Karva Chauth. You can include fruits and nuts in your meals, aiming for light, less oily, and less spicy options. This is because you’ll be fasting the whole day without water and food. Make sure to review the list of recommended food items for Sargi.
Why karva chauth is celebrated
Karva Chauth is celebrated primarily by married Hindu women. It is observed as a day of fasting and devotion to ensure the well-being and longevity of their husbands.
How to break Karva chauth fast?
Karva Chauth is a challenging and widely observed fasting tradition in India. On this day, women observe a strict fast without consuming any food or water. They break their fast after seeing the moon through a sieve and offering water to the moon. They drink water with the help of their husband’s hand, and only then can they eat and end their fast.
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