Karwa Chauth is a prominent Hindu festival celebrated by married women, primarily in North India. They fast from sunrise to moonrise for the well-being, longevity, and prosperity of their husbands. Karwa Chauth 2024 is on Sunday, 20th October, bringing with it a day filled with love and traditional rituals.
Meaning and Importance of Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is a blend of tradition, devotion, and love. The word “Karwa” refers to an earthen pot used during the festival, and “Chauth” means the fourth, indicating the fourth day after the full moon in the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar. The fast observed on this day signifies a wife’s dedication to her husband’s health, safety, and success. While its roots are ancient, the significance of this festival continues to resonate with married women in modern times.
Origin of Karwa Chauth
The history of Karwa Chauth is deeply rooted in ancient traditions. It is believed to have started as a community ritual for women whose husbands were away for long periods, often engaged in wars. The fast symbolized prayers for their safe return. Over time, Karwa Chauth evolved into a celebration of marital love and fidelity. Today, it stands as a day for couples to reaffirm their love, with women fasting for the longevity of their husbands.
How Karwa Chauth is Celebrated?
Karwa Chauth has traditional customs and rituals that begin early in the morning and continue until moonrise. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to celebrate this festival:
– Sargi: The mother-in-law prepares sargi for her daughter-in-law, which they both eat before sunrise. This meal includes fruits, sweets, and nuts, which provide energy for the day’s fasting. Sargi strengthens the bond between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
– Day-long Fast: After consuming Sargi, the women begin their fast, which lasts throughout the day. The fast is strict, and women refrain from eating or drinking anything, not even water, until they break their fast after sighting the moon.
– Puja Preparation: During the afternoon, women dress up in beautiful traditional attire, often in shades of red, gold, or bright colors that symbolize marital happiness. They adorn themselves with bangles, sindoor (vermilion), and mehndi (henna), which are essential elements of the festival.
– Thali Decoration: Women prepare a Karwa Thali for the evening puja, which contains items like a small earthen pot (Karwa), sweets, a diya (lamp), and kumkum. The Thali is a vital part of the rituals performed in the evening.
– Karwa Chauth Katha: In the evening, women gather together to perform the Karwa Chauth Katha, where they read the story of Karwa Chauth together. The Katha recounts tales of devotion, sacrifice, and love, inspiring women to uphold the sanctity of their fast.
– Moonrise Ritual: Once the moon rises, the most anticipated moment of the day arrives. Women look at the moon through a sieve (Chhalni), offer water to it, and pray for their husband’s long life. Then, they break the fast by drinking water and eating a morsel of food offered by their husband.
Karwa Chauth 2024: Date and Auspicious Timings
In 2024, Karwa Chauth will be celebrated on 20th October 2024, which falls on a Sunday. The auspicious time for performing the Karwa Chauth Puja (also known as Chauth Muhurat) will be from 5:54 PM to 7:10 PM. The expected moonrise time is around 8:27 PM. It is essential to perform the puja and break the fast within these timings for the best results.
Moonrise Times for Karwa Chauth 2024 (20th October 2024)
Moonrise times can vary depending on the geographical location of different states in India. Below is a general estimate of moonrise times for Karwa Chauth 2024 in some major states across India. These times are approximate and can vary slightly based on local factors:
- Delhi-NCR: Moonrise Time: Around 8:27 PM
- Punjab (Amritsar, Ludhiana): Moonrise Time: Around 8:24 PM
- Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow, Kanpur): Moonrise Time: Around 8:15 PM
- Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal, Indore): Moonrise Time: Around 8:19 PM
- Rajasthan (Jaipur, Jodhpur): Moonrise Time: Around 8:30 PM
- Haryana (Gurgaon, Faridabad): Moonrise Time: Around 8:26 PM
- Bihar (Patna): Moonrise Time: Around 8:10 PM
- West Bengal (Kolkata): Moonrise Time: Around 7:58 PM
- Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune): Moonrise Time: Around 8:40 PM
- Gujarat (Ahmedabad): Moonrise Time: Around 8:41 PM
- Karnataka (Bangalore): Moonrise Time: Around 8:49 PM
- Tamil Nadu (Chennai): Moonrise Time: Around 8:42 PM
- Odisha (Bhubaneswar): Moonrise Time: Around 8:03 PM
- Chhattisgarh (Raipur): Moonrise Time: Around 8:14 PM
- Jharkhand (Ranchi): Moonrise Time: Around 8:09 PM
- Himachal Pradesh (Shimla): Moonrise Time: Around 8:25 PM
- Jammu & Kashmir (Srinagar): Moonrise Time: Around 8:29 PM
- Telangana (Hyderabad): Moonrise Time: Around 8:45 PM
- Assam (Guwahati): Moonrise Time: Around 7:45 PM
- Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram): Moonrise Time: Around 8:50 PM
Karwa Chauth Puja Vidhi
- On the day of Karwa Chauth, women should take an early morning bath and wear new clothes. After this, they should take a vow to observe the Karwa Chauth fast.
- After making the vow, recite:”मम सुखसौभाग्य पुत्रपौत्रादि सुस्थिर श्री प्राप्तये कर्क चतुर्थी व्रतमहं करिष्ये”. This mantra is for the attainment of happiness, prosperity, and long-lasting good fortune.
- Next, while fasting, read or listen to the Karwa Chauth story (Katha) while holding water in a Karwa (earthen pot).
- During the puja, offer cosmetic items (shringar) to Goddess Parvati and adorn her with clothes as part of the ritual.
- Pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for a happy and long married life.
- After moonrise, worship the moon and offer water (Arghya) to it.
- Once the puja is complete, break your fast by drinking water from your husband’s hands.
- Finally, touch the feet of your elders to seek their blessings.
Rules for Karwa Chauth Fasting
- Eat Sargi (a special pre-dawn meal) before starting your fast.
- Wear full makeup (16 Shringaar) and new clothes as part of the traditional attire for the day.
- Observe the fast strictly until the moonrise.
- Break your fast by drinking water from your husband’s hands, as per tradition.
Role of the Moon in Karwa Chauth
The moon holds a special place in the Karwa Chauth festival. In Hindu culture, the moon is associated with calmness and emotional balance. On this day, women patiently wait for the moon to rise, as sighting it marks the end of their fast. Offering water to the moon invokes the divine blessings for the well-being of their husbands.
Mythological Stories Behind Karwa Chauth
Several mythological stories are associated with the origins of Karwa Chauth. One of the most popular tales is that of Queen Veeravati, who was tricked into breaking her fast early. This resulted in her husband’s death, but her devotion to him brought him back to life. Another famous story is that of Karwa, a devoted wife who saved her husband from a crocodile by praying to Lord Yama, the god of death. These stories highlight the power of a wife’s love and dedication.
Preparation Tips for Karwa Chauth 2024
To make the most of Karwa Chauth 2024, here are some helpful tips:
– Plan Your Sargi: Sargi is an important part of Karwa Chauth, so plan it in advance with your mother-in-law or elder women in the family. Include fruits, nuts, and sweets that will give you the energy to sustain the day-long fast.
– Choose Your Attire: Select your traditional attire, jewelry, and accessories well in advance. Red, maroon, and gold are the most popular colors that women wear on this day.
– Mehndi Application: Apply Mehndi a day before the festival to avoid any last-minute rush. Mehndi is a symbol of good luck and enhances the festive look.
– Puja Essentials: Prepare all the essential puja items, including the Karwa, diya, sweets, and flowers, ahead of time. This will ensure that the rituals are performed smoothly.
Karwa Chauth 2024 is one of the most cherished festivals for married women. As it strengthens the marital bond and symbolizes unwavering faith. While the traditions may have evolved with time, the essence of the festival remains the same – a celebration of the beautiful relationship between life partners. Whether you’re observing Karwa Chauth for the first time or have been celebrating it for years, the festival continues to bring joy and unity in marriage, reminding us of the timeless values of love, commitment, and devotion.
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