Karwa Chauth is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated by married women in India and some parts of Nepal. It falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, which usually corresponds to October or November in the Gregorian calendar. The word “Karwa” means clay pot and “Chauth” means fourth, indicating the festival’s observance on the fourth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartik.
On this day, married Hindu women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. The fast is broken only after sighting the moon, and women often break their fast in the presence of their husbands or other married women.
The rituals associated with Karwa Chauth vary across different regions of India, but they generally involve married women dressing up in traditional attire, applying henna on their hands, and observing a day-long fast without food or water. In the evening, women gather together to perform puja (worship) to the moon and a clay pot (Karwa) with water, offering prayers for the well-being and prosperity of their husbands.
Karwa Chauth 2023: Significance
This festival holds a great significance among Hindu married women. They observe fast on this auspicious day for the happy married life. This festival is celebrated by all Hindu married women with great enthusiasm and zeal across the country. They offer prayers to
Chauth Mata and pray for the well being and long life of their husbands. At some places, unmarried girls also observe fast and pray to get the desired partner. They start preparing for the festival a day before and apply Mehndi on their hands and feet as Mehndi is a symbol of good fortune.
Karwa Chauth 2023: Puja Rituals
1. Wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath.
2. Women eat Sargi before starting the fast rituals and also before sunrise.
3. They keep fast whole day and adorn themselves in new traditional clothes.
4. They offer prayers to the Goddess.
5. In the evening after the moonrise, they offer water to Moon and break their fast.
Karwa Chauth is considered a significant and auspicious festival for married women, symbolizing love, dedication, and loyalty in marriage. It is also an occasion for socializing and strengthening bonds among women in the community.
