Karva Chauth Festival

The word Karva Chauth is made up of two words, 'Karva,' which means an earthen pot with a spout and 'Chauth' which means fourth. The earthen pot is of great significance as it is used by the women to offer water to the moon as part of the festival rituals. It is said that this festival began when women started praying for the safe return of their husbands who went to fight wars in far off lands. It is also held that it is celebrated to mark the end of the harvest season. Whatever be the origins, the festival offers an occasion to strengthen familial ties.

Karva Chauth is a one-day festival celebrated annually by married Hindu women in which they observe a fast from sunrise to moonrise and pray for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. The festival is also observed by unmarried women who pray in the hope of securing a desired life partner. It falls on the fourth day of the dark fortnight (Krishna paksh or the waning phase of the moon) in the month of Kartik of the Hindu lunar calendar. The date roughly falls anytime between mid to late October. It is mainly celebrated in the states of Northern India such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The festival entails keeping a 'Nirjala' fast in which women neither eat nor take a drop of water throughout the day and prayers are offered to the Goddess Gauri, an incarnation of Parvati, who bestows blessings for a long and happy married life.

There are various mythological tales related to Karva Chauth. One of the most popular ones is related to Savitri and Satyavan in which the former brought back her husband from the clutches of death with her prayer and determination. Another such story is that of Veervati, the only sister of seven loving brothers. When the brothers could not bear to see her fasting the whole day they misled her into believing that the moon had risen. Veervati broke her fast and had food but soon got the news of her husband's death. She prayed for a whole year and the Gods pleased with her devotion gave back her husband's life.

Importance of Karwa Chauth

According to Hindu tradition, Karwa Chauth is one of the most important festivals, especially for married women. It begins with a small early morning prayer and is usually followed by "Sargi" - a food platter containing dry fruits, parathas, curry and coconut water. Women consume Sargi after their bath as it is believed to be a healthy meal that allows them to prepare for the day's fasting. It keeps them energetic and allows them to stay without food or water for the entire day.

Significance of Karwa Chauth

Apart from observing fasts, women also pray for a prosperous and happy married life. Later in the evening, they perform puja for their husbands before the moon sighting. After this, the women try to see the moon through a sieve and then catch a glimpse of their husbands through the same sieve. It is also believed that when a wife looks at her husband through a sieve, all negative emotions are filtered through it.

Once this is done, the women eat something and their fast is completed. The festival has also been made popular by its depiction in various movies and TV shows. During recent times, a lot of men have also started observing fasts for their wives. This has made the festival even more special as it signifies love, compassion and understanding.

Unmarried Women Also Observe this fast

Many unmarried women observe this fast hoping to find the ideal life mate. In this manner, their wishes are granted, and they are blessed with loving partners.

Year-Wise Karva Chauth Observances

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