Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth is a very grand festival observed by married Hindu women. This is a one-day festival in which the female folks observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise for the longevity and safety of their husbands. Karva Chauth is observed on the ‘Chaturthi’ that is the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the month of Kartik as per the Hindu lunisolar calendar. Whereas according to the Amanta calendar that is followed in the Maharashtra, Gujarat and Southern India, Karva Chauth is observed during the ‘Ashwin’ month. However, it is only the name of the month that differs in different states; the spirit of celebration remains the same everywhere.

Karva Chauth is also referred as ‘Karak Chaturthi’ in some places. ‘Karva’ or ‘karak’ in Hindi means ‘a pot’ while ‘chauth’ implies ‘fourth day’. This earthen pot is then used to make water offerings to the moon on the fourth day after the full moon, during the Kartik month. The karwa also called as ‘Argha’ is considered very auspicious and given away to an eligible woman in the family or to Brahmin as ‘Dan’ after the puja. The festival of Karva Chauth is celebrated with immense fervour and zeal all over India. In the northern states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh the festivities are observed on a grandeur scale. Karva Chauth is celebrated as ‘Chhath’ in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The festival of Karva Chauth also coincides with a one-day festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, known as ‘Sankashti Chaturthi’.

In India, Karva Chauth holds immense significance for the married Hindu women. Observing this festival ensures longevity, well-being and prosperity of their husbands. With rapid commercialisation the celebrations of Karva Chauth vrat is getting grandeur with every passing day. The occasion of Karva Chauth marks the beginning of the feasting and the festivity that is experienced during Diwali, the grand Hindu festival that comes after nine days. With so much fun, frolic and extravaganza involved the fasting is not the same as before.

Rituals of the Karva Chauth Vrat:

• The main aspect of the Karva Chauth vrat is the fast from dawn to dusk observed by both married and unmarried women. The women observe this fast without eating or drinking anything till the time they see the moon. The Karva Chauth vrat is unique in a way that nowhere in the world, married women observe this strict fast for the welfare of their husbands.
• The tradition of applying mehendi or henna is an integral part of Karva Chauth. In the Hindu culture, mehendi is symbolic of good fortune for married women. On the day of Karva Chauth women apply mehendi on the hands and feet. It is a belief that if the color of the mehendi is dark it is indicative that the lady will get plenty of care and love from her husband. Henna artists apply intricate and fascinating designs. For the Hindu married women, mehendi does not only color their hands, it also fills their life with ecstasy and joy.
• On the occasion of Karva Chauth, married women receive beautiful and expensive gifts from their husbands and in-laws. The gifts can be anything from bangles, jewelry, henna, lehenga choli, sarees and other traditional gifts. The custom of gifting to their wives is an expression of love and strengthens the bond of love between man and wife. Women feel very satisfied and love after receiving gifts from their loved ones.
• On the auspicious day of Karva Chauth, women get up before sunrise and eat the food that is especially prepared, known as ‘sargi’. After this they are not allowed to drink even a drop of water. In the evening, all the women observing the Karva Chauth vrat dress up beautifully in their bridal jewelry. Newlywed brides even adorn their bridal costume. On this day, Lord Shiva is worshipped along with Goddess Parvati and their son ‘Kartikeya’. Women collectively listen to the Karva Chauth vrat katha.
• The fast is broken after moonrise. Every woman holds a sieve and first looks towards her husband and then at the moon. Following this, they perform an aarti of their respective husbands and take their blessings. As a part of the ritual, the husbands give their wives, the first sip of water and a bite of food. After this all the women observing the Karva Chauth vrat take the blessings of the elders in their family. The Karva used for ‘argh’ to moon is then given to an elderly lady or even to a Brahmin as ‘dan’. All the women of the household then collectively gather and together enjoy the scrumptious spread of food prepared.

2017 Date : 8th October.