When was Karwa Chauth?
Oct 22, 2024
The festival of Karwa Chauth is a very popular one that is celebrated mostly in the northern part of India. The popularity of this festival has spread a lot and hence it is now celebrated all around the world. Thus, Karwa Chauth falls on the fourth day of Krishna paksha in the month of Kartik according to the Hindu calendar.
As per traditions, this day is extremely important to all north-west Indian women for their husband’s well-being. Women fast from sunrise, and after eating the food their mother-in-law sends them sargi or karwa chauth thali set. The fast ends when the moon appears in the sky. These women then offer their prayers and use a sieve to look at the moon and then look at their husbands. After this, the men feed their wives a little food and help them to break their fast. But in all this, the queer part remains the looking at the moon with a sieve.
The Hindu festival Karwa Chauth is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor among married women. On this day, women keep a 'nirjala' fast, which means fasting in which even water isn't consumed from sunrise till moonrise. Women fast on this day to pray for the safe and long lives of their husbands, though many husbands observe the fast along with their wives for a similar reason. According to the Hindu calendar, Karwa Chauth is celebrated on the fourth day after Purnima in the month of Kartik.
The rituals of this festival originated from the time of the Mughal invasion and thus it has a rich cultural heritage. The word ‘karwa’ means ‘pot’ whereas the term ‘chauth’ refers to the ‘fourth’ day of a particular period. If you wish to prepare an amazing spread on Karwa Chauth for your near and dear ones, these could be excellent additions to your menu. Make this day a memorable and healthy one for your friends and family.
The Chaturthi (4th day) of Krishna Paksha (waning moon) in the Hindu month of Kartik is observed by most married women in the northern part of India as Karwa Chauth. On this day, they fast and offer prayers for the well-being of their husbands. The fast begins with the ritualistic consumption of Sargi (a meal that is sent by the mother-in-law) at dawn and ends with a puja in the evening after the moon rises. The puja is followed by the wives looking at the moon and then their husbands through a sieve, who in return feed the first morsel of food to the wives and break their fast.
Karwa Chauth is one of the popular festivals in India. This is a festival that gives a chance to married women to come closer to their in-laws. On this special day, every married woman keeps a fast to ensure the prosperity and well-being of their husband’s life. Even unmarried women keep fast for their desired husbands or fiances. According to the Hindu calendar, this festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the month of Kartik. This grand festival is celebrated with lots of pomp and enthusiasm.
On this auspicious occasion, married women observe a strict fast without taking a single drop of water. The fast begins before sunrise and breaks only after offering the prayer and worshipping the moon at night. The fast is broken once the moon is seen and all the rituals have been performed. Women offer water to the moon and break their fast at night. As the legend goes, Lord Krishna compelled Draupadi to keep the ‘vrat’ of Karwa Chauth so that with its influence Arjuna can defeat the Kauravas on the battlefield and win back the kingdom. Married women, thus, offer wishful prayer for ‘saubhagya’ by observing the Karva Chauth vrat, to receive saubhagya and prosperity.
Preparations for this vibrant festival start much prior to the occasion. Women buy jewelry, clothing, and various puja items. The houses are adorned with flowers and colorful lights to escalate the joyous spirit of the festival. Every married woman who observes fast adorns ethnic wears of bright colors, especially red, gold, pink or orange. These gorgeous hues are considered auspicious. Henna in different intricate designs is applied to the hand, forearm, and feet. It is a conventional practice to visit relatives and dear friends on this propitious day. In the evening, all the women of the family sit together and sing various traditional songs and hymns.
The festival of Karva Chauth is known for its social and cultural significance. It celebrates the eternal and inseparable bond of husband and wife. Send expressive gifts on this pious occasion to make the pious occasion a cherishable memory in your dear one’s life.
