Karwa Chauth 2022 Vastu Tips | Karwa Chauth Puja Process

Karwa Chauth (Gujarati: કરવા ચોથ, Hindi: करवा चौथ) or Karva Chauth is a big Hindu women's festival celebrated every year. This is a one-day event during which women fast from sunrise to moonrise in order to ensure the longevity and safety of their husbands.

Karwa Chauth is celebrated on Chaturthi tithi, which is the 4th day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of moon) in the month of Kartik, as per the purnimanta Hindu calendar. Karwa Chauth is observed in the month of Ashwin.

Karwa Chauth Puja Muhurat- 17:49 to 19:05

Moonrise- 20:14

Chaturthi tithi Begins- 01:58 (13^th October)

Chaturthi tithi End- 03:07 (14^th October)

Karwa Chauth 2021 Puja Muhurat and Moon Timings on October 24

In some locations, Karwa Chauth is also known as ‘Karak Chaturthi.' In Hindi, words 'karva' or 'karak' imply 'pot' and 'chauth' means 'fourth day.' During the Kartik month, on the fourth day after the full moon, an earthen pot is used to make water gifts to the moon. After the puja, the karwa, also known as "Argha," is presented to a suitable woman in the family or to a Brahmin as "Dan." 

Karwa Chauth is a Hindu festival celebrated with great zeal and fervour all over India. In the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, Karwa Chauth is known as ‘Chhath.' Karva Chauth also falls on the same day as Sankashti Chaturthi, a one-day celebration dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

Importance of 'Sargi' and Other Essentials

All women get up early in the morning and eat 'sargi' (Indian breakfast) before sunrise. Throughout the day, they aren’t allowed to eat or even drink water. They dress up in gorgeous attire in the evening, listen to the Karwa Chauth katha, and break their fast after the moonrise.

Married women begin preparing the Karwa Chauth puja a day ahead of time. Married ladies purchase shringar, or traditional adornments, as well as pooja goods like as karwa, matthi, and heena. They prepare and eat breakfast early in the morning, before sunlight. Other festive activities like as heena hand and foot decoration, pooja thali decoration, and meeting friends and family fill the morning.

Women congregate in the evening at a common place of pooja, such as a temple or someone's home who has organised the puja. The legend of Karva Chauth is told by an elderly lady or the pujarin, and all the ladies listen to the katha together. A particular mud pot, which is regarded a symbol of Lord Ganesha, a metal urn filled with water, flowers, idols of Ambika Gaur Mata, Goddess Parwati, and some fruits, mathi, and food grains are among the essentials of this meeting and listening to the Karwa chauth narrative. A portion of it is given to the gods and the storyteller.

Rituals of Karva Chauth Vrat

The fasting from dawn to sunset, observed by both married and unmarried women, is the most important part of the Karwa Chauth vrat. The women follow this fast by not eating or drinking anything until they see the moon. The Karwa Chauth vrat is unique in that it is the only time in the world when married women fast for the sake of their husbands.

Karwa Chauth is not complete without the application of mehendi or henna. Mehendi is a Hindu tradition that symbolises good fortune for married ladies. Women put mehendi to their hands and feet on Karwa Chauth. It is said that if the mehendi is dark in colour, the lady will receive a lot of attention and love from her spouse. Intricate and interesting designs are applied by henna artisans. Mehendi not only colours the hands of Hindu married women, but it also brings ecstasy and joy into their lives.

Married women receive lovely and expensive gifts from their spouses and in-laws on Karwa Chauth. Bangles, jewellery, henna, lehenga choli, sarees, and other traditional presents are examples of acceptable gifts. The habit of husbands giving gifts to their spouses is a display of affection that improves the man-wife bond. Women are overjoyed and pleased when they receive gifts from their loved ones.

Women get up before sunrise on the auspicious day of Karwa Chauth and consume specially prepared cuisine called as 'sargi.' They are not allowed to consume even a drop of water after that. All women observing the Karwa Chauth vrat dress up magnificently in their bridal jewellery in the evening. Bridal gowns are even worn by newlywed brides. Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and their son ‘Kartikeya' are all revered on this day. The Karva Chauth vrat katha is sung by a group of women.

After the moonrise, the fast is broken. Every lady takes a sieve in her hand and gazes first at her spouse, then at the moon. They then do an aarti for their respective spouses and ask for their blessings. The husbands offer their wives the first drink of water and a mouthful of food as part of the tradition. Following this, all women participating in the Karva Chauth vrat seek the blessings of their family elders. The Karva used for moon's 'argh' is then presented as 'dan' to an old lady or even a Brahmin. The entire household's women then congregate and enjoy the delectable spread of food that has been prepared.

Karwa Chauth is a very important festival in India for married Hindu ladies. Observing this holiday ensures their husbands' lifespan, happiness, and success. The Karwa Chauth vrat is becoming increasingly grandiose as a result of rising commercialization.

Karwa Chauth marks the start of the eating and festivities that will take place during Diwali, the big Hindu celebration that takes place after nine days. Fasting isn't the same now since there's so much fun, frolic, and extravaganza involved!