Karwa Chauth (करवा चौथ)

Karwa Chauth

Today, the festival of Karwa Chauth is celebrated enthusiastically in majority of Hindu households in northern and western regions of India.

 Falling nine days before Diwali, Karwa Chauth is a vrat observed by married woman praying for the welfare of their husbands. This one-day festival is celebrated once a year, on the fourth day of the 'Karthik' month according to the Hindu calendar. The term 'Karwa' means earthen pot, which symbolizes peace and prosperity and 'Chauth' refers to 'fourth day'. 

This festival is one of the many beloved occasions in India, where families and friends get together and enjoy. Many pooja rituals are performed on this day and several delicious dishes are prepared too. However, the ritual that forms a significant part of this festival is the fasting ceremony observed by married Hindu women. This sacrifice is performed for the well-being of their husbands and it takes place from sunrise to sunset. The aim behind the celebration of Karwa Chauth is an honorable one, and this has added interesting aspect to Indian culture. Love between the husband and wife and respect among their families, is what Karwa Chauth aims to achieve by the performance of these rituals. The origin of Karwa Chauth is explained in the following lines.  

Karva Chauth History and Origin

For those who celebrate Karwa chauth, this festival is not just another festive occasion, but has a symbolical value to their lives. They believe that their fasting throughout the day will secure fortune, prosperity and long lives for their husbands. This fasting festival has many ancient legends and stores to it. 

During the ancient times in India, girls were married off at young ages and according to tradition, they had to leave their own houses and stay with their in-laws. These girls had no one but their god-sisters, with whom they could speak to. On the bride's wedding day, a small Hindu ceremony would take place, where one woman became their god-sister for eternity. These other women became their sisters for life and they shared a pure and sanctified bond of friendship. Each bride had her own god-sister and they would help each other in times of hardship, sharing their thoughts and problems with one another. Thus, the festival of Karwa Chauth was originally created for those reasons, to celebrate the bond of friendship and sisterhood. 

As years passed, the Karwa Chauth festival evolved and the fasting ritual for the longevity and wealth of husbands became the main part of this festival. However, the husband is always linked to this festival for the reason that, the bride would develop a sisterly bond with the woman who will become their god-sister, only on the day of her marriage. It makes sense that today all the married women, fast and pray together, during the celebration of this festival, as this also symbolizes friendship and sisterhood.

Karwa Chauth fast starts in the morning before sunrise and concludes after sighting the moon in the night. Therefore in most cases the duration of the fast will be certainly more than 12 hours. However, the duration depends on the time of sunrise and moonrise in the given year. The main task involved in Karwa Chauth preparations is to prepare the Karwa Chauth thali.

Two types of thalis are prepared for Karwa Chauth – the Sargi ki thali in the morning to start the fast and the Puja ki thali to perform the puja in the evening and conclude the fast.

Karwa Chauth Sargi Ki Thali is prepared by the Mother-in-law for her daughter in law. The main purpose of this thali is to ensure that the daughter in law eats well before the sunrise so that she is able to fast for the whole day. Therefore the dishes placed in the Sargi Ki Thali are prepared the day before and arranged in the thali. The daughter in law wakes up early in the morning, takes a holy bath, worships gods and receives the blessings of Mother in law before eating the items presented in the Sargi ki thali.

• Pheni or meethi seviyan

• Parathas

• Gobi ki sabzi

• Fruits

• Dahi

• Kaju Katli

• Mathri

Karwa Chauth Puja ki thali includes

• Colorful bangles

• Mehendi

• Jewelry

• Sindhoor

• Cowdung to make the image of Gauri ma

• Strand of red thread

• Karwa (pot with water)

• Some money

• Sieve (to see the moon and husband’s face through it)

• Sweets and fruits

After a day long fasting and preparations for puja  from sunrise  on, the main Karwa Chauth puja is performed in the evening. The women folk gather in a common place wearing bridal sarees and some elaborate costumes. They all hold the Karwa Chauth puja thali in their hands. During this time, an elderly woman narrates the story of karwa Chauth to the gathering. While listening to the story, the women light the lamps in their thali and wait for the moon rise. The reflection of the moon is spotted in the karwa or pot of water kept in the thali or the women view the moon through a sieve or dupatta. After this, the husband’s face is viewed in the same way and after seeking his blessings, they conclude the fast.

It is celebrated by the married women of North India. It usually fall nine days before Diwali. The festival marks an auspicious fast observed by married women for long life, well being and prosperity of their husband. The women strictly adhere to the guidelines laid down for the fast and refrain from food and water for one complete day. The festival also provides an opportunity for socializing with family, relatives, friends and in laws. Karwa Chauth (करवा चौथ) is symbolic of unflagging loyalty of a wife towards her husband.

Karwa Chauth (करवा चौथ) is usually observed in the month of October or November. Karwa Chauth (करवा चौथ) is a Hindu festival celebrated by married women. The celebrations follow a number of rituals traditions. One such important ritual is applying henna (mehendi) on hands. Few ladies follow a strict fast where they do not eat or drink anything. Not even a single drop of water. It is said that successful completion of this fast ensures long life and prosperous future for her husband.

The roots of the festival go back into mythology. The katha read during puja tells the tale of Princess Veeravati who gets married to a king. On her first Karva Chauth, she decides to go visit her parents. The rigour of fasting all day renders her weak and she faints. Her seven brothers, who love her immensely, can not bear to see their sister in this state and trick her into thinking that the moon has risen. Just as she breaks her fast, she gets word that her husband, the king is dead. The queen is heartbroken and rushes to her husband’s palace. Enroute, she meets Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva who tell her that it is a penance and fasting on Karva Chauth will help bring back her husband. The tale ends happily as the king gains consciousness and they live happily ever after.

Sargi tips for women observing Karva Chauth:

1. Include lots of fruits like banana, papaya, pomegranate, berries, apples etc. in the sargi

2. Avoid oily and fried foods like paranthas and pakoras in the morning as these are heavy and may make you dizzy. Eat a heavy meal like multigrain chapatti with vegetables or paneer.

3. Avoid tea or coffee as both of them tend to dehydrate you later in the day. Instead, drink up a glass of fresh juice, milk, buttermilk or a cup of green tea

4. Avoid mithai/ sweets and instead opt for dates, figs or apricots

5. Munch on a few nut like walnuts, almonds and pistachios

Karva Chauth Pooja

The day passes slowly but before you know it, it is evening. The women dress up and gather together to perform the puja. The katha is read aloud as the thali with a sweet, glass of water, a diya and other puja materials is passed around in a circle. All that is left now is to wait for the moon to rise.

Breaking the Fast

Different people break the fast in different ways. The one consistent tradition is to look at your husband through a sieve and then take a sip of water from his hands to break your fast. In recent times, men also choose to fast for their wives, breaking stereotypes. Everybody then enjoys a delicious meal together.