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. Karwa Chauth is a festival celebrated by Hindu women from the Indian Subcontinent on the fourth day after Purnima (a full moon) in the month of Kartika. Like many Hindu festivals, Karwa Chauth is based on the lunisolar calendar which accounts for all astronomical positions, especially positions of the moon which is used as a marker to calculate important dates. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon, in the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Kartik.
The fasting women collectively sitting in a circle, while doing Karwa Chauth puja, singing song while performing the feris (passing their thalis around in the circle).Women begin preparing for Karwa Chauth a few days in advance, by buying adornments (shringar), jewellery, and puja items, such as the Karwa lamps, matthi, henna and the decorated puja thali (plate). Local bazaars take on a festive look as shopkeepers put their Karwa Chauth related products on display. On the day of the fast, women from Punjab awake to eat and drink just before sunrise.
The fast begins at dawn. Fasting women do not eat during the day. Hindu wives perform various kind of rituals along with Vrat (fast) on Karwa chauth for their husband’s long life. In traditional observances of the fast, the fasting woman usually does no housework. Women apply henna and other cosmetics to themselves and each other. The day passes in meeting friends and relatives. In some regions, it is customary to give and exchange painted clay pots filled with put bangles, ribbons, home-made candy, cosmetics and small cloth items.. In Punjab, sargi is an important part of this pre-dawn meal and always includes fenia. It is traditional for the sargi to be sent or given to the fasting woman by her mother-in-law. If she lives with her mother-in-law, the pre-dawn meal is prepared by the mother-in-law. On Karwa Chauth occasion, fasting women choose to wear Karwa chauth special dresses and wears a full traditional attire with beautifull jewellery and looks best.
Some rituals to be followed on day
Sargi
Sargi is a food platter given to the daughter-in-law from her mother-in-law which contains fruits, traditional mathri, sweets, phirni, dry fruits, milk, subji and paranthas. Traditionally, this meal is to be consumed before sunrise, after taking a bath and offering early morning prayers. Sargi usually contains foods which will help a woman stay full till the time of moon sighting.
Engaged or married women also receive gifts from their mother-in-law’s side, which include clothes, makeup, jewellery or other gifts which can be made use of on the day. A woman can have the sargi at dawn alone, or celebrate it with other women in the household. It is one of the most important rituals and customs of the festival, which should not be missed.
Baya
Daughters-in-law also offer gifts to their mothers-in-law, which is called, ‘Baya’. It contains dresses, jewellery, food, utensils and other ritualistic offerings. Women offer this to their mothers-in-law and seek their blessings. In some regions of India, Baya is also offered to other female members of the family.
Karwa Chauth katha and puja
After the Sargi, taking part in the Puja and listening to the traditional katha (story) is an important ritual of the Karva Chauth. The puja should always be held before moonrise. Specific timings, depending on the Shubh Muhurat designate when the puja is to be held and prayers are to be offered. Fasting ladies gather at a place, worship Goddess Parvati and listen to Karwa Chauth Katha. It is only after the puja is held and the moon is sighted that a fasting woman can break her fast. A special thali, prepared under the guidance of one’s mother-in-law or family elder is used for the same.
Breaking the fast
The Karva Chauth fast comes to an end when the moon makes its appearance. The thali, which holds a customary sieve, diya, a traditional karwa lamp, sweet and prashad is used. Women use the sieve to sight the moon, catch a glimpse of their husband and offer water. Post this, they can have food and water. It should be noted that thali should be rotated clockwise three times, and then in an anti-clockwise motion.
Do’s and don’ts
Karwa Chauth is an occasion when women dress up in bright colours and look like a new bride. While it is not a traditional rule, women are discouraged to wear colours like white and black, which are considered to be inauspicious. Colours like red and pink are symbolic. Applying henna on hands, wearing jewellery is also a custom observed on the day.