Karva Chauth is one of the most beloved and widely observed festivals in India, celebrated with deep devotion and grandeur by married Hindu women. This sacred festival is dedicated to the well-being, longevity, and prosperity of husbands, where women undertake a rigorous day-long fast from sunrise to moonrise. In 2025, Karva Chauth will be celebrated on Friday, 10 October. This auspicious day falls in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon), just a few days ahead of Diwali.
The term Karva refers to an earthen pot used during the rituals, while Chauth signifies the 'fourth day.' The fast is not just a symbol of marital devotion but also a time for prayer, traditional dressing, community gatherings, and performing the Karva Chauth Puja. Women dress in vibrant ethnic attire, apply mehndi (henna), and listen to the Karva Chauth Katha before sighting the moon to break their fast.
Over the years, Karva Chauth has gained popularity beyond its traditional roots, with many urban couples and even celebrities observing the fast as a gesture of mutual respect and love. It has also become a significant cultural highlight depicted in Bollywood movies, adding to its festive charm.
Date of Karwa Chauth 2025
In 2025, Karwa Chauth will be celebrated on Friday, October 10.
This auspicious day falls on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon phase) in the Kartik month of the Hindu lunar calendar, just ahead of Diwali
History of Karwa Chauth Vrat
According to ancient scriptures and legendary tales, Karva Chauth is a one-day Hindu celebration during which women do not eat or drink anything from dawn to moonrise. According to Karwa Chauth History, when Draupadi and her five Pandav husbands journeyed to the Nilgiri mountain, she kept a Vrat (fast). Several additional stories are associated with the Karva Chauth Vrat.
According to traditional myth, the event is based on the actual story of a married lady known as Karwa. Karwa's spouse was bathing in a river when a crocodile attacked him. When Karwa saw this, she hurried towards her husband to save him. She was able to save her spouse by tying the crocodile. When Lord Yama arrived, he discovered a wounded crocodile. Her bravery so moved Lord Yama that he blessed her husband with a long and healthy life and banished the crocodile to hell.
The narrative of Queen Veervati is also well-known and is recited during the Karwa Chauth puja. For the event, the queen was at her parents' house. When he saw his sister having an empty stomach for the entire day, he became quite concerned and used a mirror to create a moon above a tree. But, as soon as she broke her fast, she learned of her husband's death and burst into tears. Then a goddess appeared and told her that her brothers had duped her and that if she kept another fast with undivided love, her husband would be alive again. She followed the instructions correctly, and her husband was revived.
Major Attractions Of Karwa Chauth
This one-day event is fervently celebrated and honoured by married ladies for their husbands' prosperity and longevity. Here are some of the karwa chauth events that perfectly demonstrate the true meaning and belief of this festival.
1. Fasting
Karva Chauth fasting begins before morning. The married ladies are provided 'Sargi,' a meal their mother-in-law prepares that she must consume before daybreak and fast until the moon rises that evening. Women wear wedding attire, henna on their hands and feet, jewellery, Mangalsutra, and anything else a bride can wear.
2. Prayer Rituals
During the day (fasting period), married ladies worship Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and their Son Lord Ganesha while listening to popular Karva Chauth folk legends.
3. Moon Sighting
The most awaited and yet the purest moment of Karva Chauth is the sighting of the moon. All the beautifully dressed women wait for the moon sighting at their rooftops and balconies to catch the glimpse of the shining orb. Once they see the moon, women worship it by offering it 'Aragya' water from a vessel known as Karva. They break their fast with their husbands after worshipping the moon and consume food, drink, and sweets. This moment is symbolic of the fulfillment of their devotion and love.
4. Evening
'Bayna' or 'Baya' is a dish holding gifts and tokens of love distributed on Karva Chauth amongst married ladies in the household. Although the event is observed throughout the country's northern regions, it is most significant in Punjab. The 'Sargi' plate in Punjab includes fruits, sweets, dried fruits, coconut, jewellery, garments, and prepared cuisine.
Karva Chauth is not just a festival; it is a pure celebration of love, devotion, and the deep-rooted cultural values that bind families together. Through its rituals and traditions, it fosters a sense of community among women and strengthens the marital bond. As the festival continues to be celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion, it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of love and the enduring spirit of commitment that defines marriage.
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Frequently Asked Questions Related to Karwa Chauth
Q1: What is the significance of Karwa Chauth?
A1: Karwa Chauth is a traditional Hindu festival where married women observe a day-long fast for the longevity, well-being, and prosperity of their husbands. It symbolizes love, dedication, and the sacred bond of marriage.
Q2: When is Karwa Chauth in 2025?
A2: Karwa Chauth in 2025 will be celebrated on Friday, October 10. It falls on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the Krishna Paksha in the Kartik month of the Hindu lunar calendar.
Q3: How is Karwa Chauth celebrated?
A3: Women fast from sunrise to moonrise without food or water. They dress in traditional attire, apply mehndi (henna), perform the Karwa Chauth Puja, listen to the Karwa Chauth Katha, and break the fast after sighting the moon.
Q4: Is Karwa Chauth celebrated only in North India?
A4: Karwa Chauth is predominantly celebrated in North Indian states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi. However, due to its cultural popularity, it is now observed by many across India and even by Indian communities abroad.
Q5: Can unmarried women observe Karwa Chauth?
A5: Yes, many unmarried women also observe Karwa Chauth to pray for an ideal life partner. While traditionally linked to married women, the fast today is sometimes undertaken by those wishing for a loving and prosperous marriage in the future.
