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Category: Karwa Chauth: Rituals and Celebration Ideas
Karwa Chauth 2024: A Festival of Devotion and Marital Bliss
Karwa Chauth is a deeply cherished festival in India, celebrated by married women who observe a fast for the long life and prosperity of their husbands. In 2024, Karwa Chauth will be observed on Sunday, October 20th. This festival, rich in tradition and symbolism, derives its name from “Karwa,” meaning an earthen pot, and “Chauth,” referring to the fourth day of the Kartik month in the Hindu calendar. It is a day that highlights the devotion, love, and commitment between married couples.
The day begins before sunrise, when women consume Sargi, a pre-dawn meal prepared by their mothers-in-law, which sustains them during the fast. From this point on, women observe a strict fast, refraining from both food and water until the moon rises at night. Dressed in vibrant, traditional attire, often resembling bridal wear, women celebrate the day by adorning themselves with bangles, mehndi (henna), and jewelry, symbolizing their love and dedication.
In the evening, women come together to perform the Karwa Chauth Puja. They listen to the Karwa Chauth Katha, a story that emphasizes the significance of the festival and the virtues of marital loyalty and devotion. When the moon appears, the fast is broken after a special ritual, where women first view the moon through a sieve and then their husband’s face, signifying the completion of their prayers for his well-being.
Karwa Chauth is more than a fast—it’s a celebration of marital love, trust, and commitment that strengthens the emotional bond between husband and wife.