Karwa Chauth Essentials

What is Karwa Chauth?

Karwa Chauth is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated by married women, primarily in Northern and Western India. The festival is dedicated to the well-being, longevity, and prosperity of their husbands. It falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the month of Kartik, according to the Hindu lunar calendar.

Significance and Traditions:

• Fasting: The central ritual of Karwa Chauth is the day-long fast observed by married women from sunrise to moonrise. The fast is rigorous, with women abstaining from food and water throughout the day.
• Sargi: Before dawn, women consume a pre-dawn meal known as ‘Sargi’, given by their mothers-in-law. This meal is crucial as it provides the necessary energy to sustain the fast.
• Puja and Rituals: In the evening, women gather to perform a group puja (prayer), where they listen to the Karwa Chauth Katha (story) and pass around a ceremonial plate (Thali). This ritual symbolizes the collective spirit and support among women.
• Moonrise Ceremony: After sighting the moon, women break their fast. They view the moon through a sieve, then look at their husbands through the same sieve. The husbands offer the first sip of water and the first bite of food to their wives, marking the end of the fast.

Karwa Chauth Essentials

1. Sargi: A pre-dawn meal that includes fruits, sweets, dry fruits, and other nutritious items to provide energy for the day’s fast.

2. Karwa: A clay pot filled with water, symbolic of prosperity and well-being, used during the evening rituals.

3. Thali: A decorated plate used in the puja. It typically contains a diya (oil lamp), roli (vermilion), chawal (rice), flowers, and sweets.

4. Sieve (Chalni): Used during the moon-sighting ritual to view the moon and then the husband.

5. Puja Items: These include roli, chawal, flowers, diya, incense sticks, and a Karwa Chauth storybook for the evening prayer session.

6. Traditional Attire: Women dress in their finest traditional clothes, often in red or other vibrant colors. They also wear jewelry, apply henna (Mehndi) on their hands, and adorn themselves with bangles.

7. Karwa Chauth Katha Book: A booklet or text containing the legend and story associated with Karwa Chauth, read aloud during the evening puja.

8. Gifts: It’s customary for husbands or in-laws to give gifts to the fasting women, which can include jewelry, clothes, or other tokens of appreciation.

Karwa Chauth is a beautiful blend of love, tradition, and devotion, where the ritualistic fasting and prayers reflect the deep bond between husband and wife. The festival is a celebration of marital harmony and familial ties, strengthening the emotional and cultural fabric of Indian society.