Karva Chauth is a widely observed ritual and celebration of the commitment, love, and trust shared by husbands and wives.
On the fourth day after Purnima (a full moon) in the month of Ashwin, Hindu women in Northern and Western India celebrate Karwa Chauth. Karwa Chauth, like many other Hindu celebrations, is determined by the lunar phase since the moon is a significant celestial body in the Hindu calendar.
Karwa Chauth is called Karak Chaturthi in the holy texts of Dharamasindhu, Nirnayasindhu, and Vratraj. Both Karak and Karwa refer to the same thing: a small pitcher used in puja and then given away to charity for the benefit of the household.
For the sake of their husbands’ health and longevity, married women fast from dawn until moonrise on the Hindu holiday of Karwa Chauth. Even though it is established that only women have the privilege of fasting on Karwa Chauth, it is becoming common practice for men to observe the fast as well in current times.
In the absence of a husband, family patriarch or matriarch, doing Karwa Chauth for the first can be a bit of an ordeal. Here are key elements of the ritual that you need to be familiar with, along with an outline of the step-by-step puja process to do Karwa Chauth puja alone at home
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Karwa Chauth 2023
Karwa Chauth puja date: November 1, 2023
Day: Wednesday
Puja muhurat: 05:36 PM to 06:54 PM
Upavasa (Vrat) time: 06:33 AM to 08:15 PM
Moonrise time: 8:15 PM
Chaturthi Tithi begins: 09:30 PM on Oct 31, 2023
Chaturthi Tithi ends: 09:19 PM on Nov 01, 2023
Karva Chauth puja: Significance
Karva Chauth is a Hindi festival observed by married women, especially in north India. On this day, married observe fast and pray for the long and healthy of their husbands. Unmarried women also observe the Karva Chauth fast and wish for good husband.
Story of Queen Veeravati
According to popular beliefs, the festival is associated with Queen Veeravati, who was known for her devotion to her husband. According to the legend, she observed a strict fast from sunrise on the day of Karva Chauth but could not sustain the hunger and thirst for the whole day. Seeing her weak and in distress, her brothers decided to break her fast and tricked her into believing that the moon had risen. When she took the morsel of food, she heard the news of her husband’s demise.
However, seeing Queen Veeravati’s devotion and prayers, a divine messenger appeared and explained that the reason behind her husband’s death was her incomplete Karva Chauth fast. After this, the queen fasted for a month, offered prayers to god and observed penance. Finally, the gods were pleased and brough her husband back to life.
The story of Queen Veeravati sends a message that sincere love and devotion can help one overcome obstacles. Thus, women, on the day of Karva Chauth, women come together and celebrate the day by getting mehndi designs on their hands, observing fast from sunrise to moonrise and offering prayers.
Other mythological stories
- According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati observed Karva Chauth fast for Lord Shiva to seek him as her husband.
- In another story, Lord Krishna suggested Karva Chauth fast to Draupadi because she was worried about her husband Arjun who set out for meditation in the Nilgiris.
- The popular story of Savitri also mentions the Karwa Chauth fast observed by Savitri, who pledged Lord Yama to return the soul of her husband.
- According to Hindu mythology, Karva Devi also observed Karwa Chauth fast for her husband after a crocodile attacked him.
According to the traditions, the mothers-in-law of married women prepare and offer a special meal before dawn, known as Sargi, to their daughters-in-law. The dish comprises fruits, sweets and other items to provide nourishment for the day. On this day, women seek the blessings of goddess Parvati for the happiness, prosperity and long life of their husbands.
List of things for Karva Chauth Puja
Source: Pinterest
The Karva Chauth fast observed is very stringent since no food or drink is permitted from sunrise till moonrise. After a full day of fasting, the ladies of the community get together in the evening to conduct an elaborate pooja, during which they also observe the moon and break their fast. Women observing the Karva Chauth Vrat often begin preparing for the Vrat or puja samagri the day before to minimise last-minute complications.
- A stable platform for the Karva Chauth pooja
- A dish for holding the pooja materials and a Gadvi (glass) with water.
- Cow dung for constructing a picture of the goddesses Gora or Parvati.
- Karwa Chauth Paath book
- Matthias for the bhog
- Sindoor or kumkum
- Red string (called kalawa)
- Karwa – a water-filled vessel
- Baya or Bayana — Gifts for the mother-in-law, often consisting of dried fruits, a saree, or cash.
- Dhoop
- Match-box
- Paan leaves
- Butter or oil
- Cash – for presenting an offering
- Fruit and sweets as offerings to Karwa ma
- Balls of Kapoor / Camphor
- Diya, made of atta
- Strainer or chhanni to see the moon at night
- Red or pink fabric should be used to cover your thaali.
Step by step process: How to do Karwa Chauth puja alone at home
Source: Pinterest
Early morning Karva Chauth puja vidhi
- On the day of Karva Chauth, you should always have a pleasant attitude and make an effort to be calm and joyful. It will become less challenging to effectively finish the demanding fast
- On the day of Karva Chauth, rise two to three hours before dawn (around 4:00 to 4:30). Consume ‘Sargi’ before morning. Drink plenty of water. The fasting period starts at daybreak.
- Dress in traditional garb and apply cosmetics like Henna, Sindoor, and Bindi to indicate your married status.
Afternoon Karva Chauth puja vidhi
- Set up a perimeter around a small square space that is next to a vertical wall at about four o’clock in the afternoon, either inside or outside your home. Create a mark in the shape of a Swastika with turmeric in the centre of the space.
- Against the vertical wall, put the Karva Chauth calendar. It has depictions of the deities Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, Lord Kartik, and Lord Ganesha. These images are venerated throughout the subsequent puja.
- Put all of the Puja materials on a plate, including the roli (red chandan), the mouli (holy thread), the haldi powder (turmeric powder), a glass of clean water or a glass of milk, a betel leaf that has been well cleaned, and a betel nut.
- Put the Karva in the middle of the Swastik mark that you just produced, and then pour water or milk into it. In addition to that, you may use the Karwa to store coins composed of metals that correspond to other currencies.
- Now, lay the cover over the top of the Karva, and on top of the cover, add the grains of wheat and sugar. As an alternative to sugar, you may alternatively put 14 maal-puas on top of it.
- After you have applied the roli to the karva, wrap the mouli around the neck and tie it off.
- If you are doing this Puja by yourself, you need to prepare one additional Karva. Position this additional Karva right next to the picture of the Karva Chauth festival. This Karva was given to Goddess Parvati by Lord Shiva.
- You may sprinkle some droplets over the picture of Karva Chauth by dipping the mango leaves into a glass of water or milk and then using them to sprinkle some of the liquid onto the image.
- The next step is to apply roli, also known as red chandan, on the figures of the gods that are located on the Karva Chauth calendar. A little coating of akshat and haldi should be applied to the image.
- The next thing to do is to trade places with the lady who is sitting next to you and trade your Karva for hers. As you transmit your Karva to another lady, utter these words – “Karva le karva le sada suhaagan karva le. Karva le karva le saat bhai ki behen karva le. Karva le karva le saat putron ki maa karva le.”
- The next thing that has to be done is to recite the story of Karva Chauth, which is also referred to as “Karva Chauth Katha.” This tale ought to be told by the eldest lady in the group if at all possible. It is important to take note that some sources just explain one narrative, whilst others give many stories in sequential order.
- It would be helpful if you would keep some uncooked rice grains in your fists as you listened to the narrative.
- As soon as the time allotted for the story-telling has passed, put the Karvas to one side and give them to a temple in the neighbourhood.
Night Karva Chauth puja vidhi
- In the evening, you can wear clothing that resembles a bride-to-be.
- Now organise the Pooja Samigri for the worship of the moon. You will need a low-sided pot filled with water.
- Prepare a small dish of ‘Akshat’ (raw rice grains), roli (red Chandan), haldi (turmeric), and a little diya.
- As soon as the moon appears in the sky, light the diya that is resting on the plate
- If the spouse is not there, close your eyes and think about him in veneration, Now gaze at the moon and drink some water.
- Now that the rituals are complete, you may take food. Happy Fasting!
FAQs
What are Karwa Chauth rules?
Before breaking their fast on Karwa Chauth, married women should do the evening puja and listen to the Katha. To conclude the nirjala vrat successfully, this ceremony must be carried out. On Karwa Chauth, women are forbidden by Hindu tradition from using sharp objects like knives, needles, and scissors.
What food restrictions are imposed during Karwa Chauth?
On this auspicious day of Karwa Chauth, women must break their fast with only satvik food and avoid eating non-veg. An item like the moon should not be distributed. Therefore, you should not give someone rice, milk, curd, or white objects.
Can a single woman observe Karva Chauth?
Yes. Unmarried women can also fast. On this day, they can pray to the Karwa maa for an ideal life companion.