The Day-long Fast
Karva Chauth, also known as Karaka Chaturthi, is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated primarily in North India, where married women observe a day-long fast, from sunrise to moonrise, for the safety, prosperity, and long life of their husbands. The festival is a beautiful testament to love, sacrifice, and the sacred bond of marriage. In modern times, it has also become a symbol of mutual love and respect, with many husbands also observing the fast alongside their wives.
The name itself is significant: 'Karva' refers to the earthen pot through which water is offered to the moon, and 'Chauth' means the fourth day, as it falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Kartik.
Karva Chauth Essentials
Rituals of the Day
Sargi
The day begins before sunrise with 'Sargi', a meal prepared by the mother-in-law, which the fasting woman consumes to sustain her through the day.
Puja and Katha
In the evening, women dress in beautiful traditional attire, often their wedding outfits, and gather to perform a special puja and narrate the story (katha) of Karva Chauth.
Breaking the Fast
The fast is broken only after sighting the moon. The woman looks at the moon through a sieve, then at her husband's face, before he offers her the first sip of water and bite of food.
A Celebration of Marital Bond
Love and Sacrifice
Karva Chauth is a powerful expression of love, devotion, and sacrifice. The rigorous fast is a physical testament to the wife's prayers for her husband's well-being. The festival strengthens the marital bond and is a day for couples to cherish and celebrate their relationship.