Karwa Chauth is considered to be a very special day in the life of a married woman. It is a one day festival in which married women observe fast from sunrise to moonrise with much fervor and gaiety. The day falls on the fourth day of Kartik month in Hindu calendar, about nine days before Diwali in the month of either October or November. On this day, the married women specially pray to Goddess Gauri (Parvati) seeking the well-being, prosperity and safety of their husband.
The preparations of Karwa Chauth begin well in advance. Women buy special ornaments and dresses for this special occasion. On this day, married women get up early in the morning before sunrise and pray for the longevity and prosperity of their husbands. They then take a special meal called as Sargi, which consists of grains, sweets and fruits, generally given by women's mother in law.
Their fast begins at sunrise. On this special occasion, women dress up in beautiful traditional attires like sari, lehenga, salwar-kameez etc. They also adorn themselves with bangles, bindis on forehead and decorate their hands with hennas. The fast continues throughout the day until moonrise.
In the evening, married women gather at some common place or temple where Karwa puja is performed. They form a circle and carry plate or thali filled with chandan, kumkum, rice, pot of water and earthen lamp. An idol of Goddess Gauri and an earthen pitcher are placed in the centre of the circle where women are seated. During the puja, the elders narrate the stories of Karwa Chauth and women sing songs relating to Karwa Chauth . After the puja ceremony, they return to their home and start waiting for moon to rise.
When moon appears, women take a look at the moon through a sieve and worship the moon. They then look at their husbands through the same sieve and pray for his long life. The husband then offers her water and sweet to break her fast. This is then followed by sumptuous dinner.
The fast of Karva Chauth holds a very important place in Indian tradition and culture, especially in North India. This fast is observed every year on the Chaturthi date of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. On this day, married women observe a Nirjala fast to wish for the long life and happiness and prosperity of their husbands. There are many mythological stories and beliefs behind this fast, some of the main ones of which are as follows.
There is a major story associated with the beginning of Karva Chauth fast, which is related to the war between the gods and demons. According to the legend, once upon a time a fierce war broke out between the gods and demons. The gods were constantly being defeated in the war, and the demons were overpowering them. All the efforts of the gods were failing and they were in trouble. Then Brahmadev advised the wives of the gods to observe the fast of Karva Chauth for the safety and victory of their husbands.
Brahmadev told that by observing this fast methodically, the gods will get success in the war. On this advice, the wives of the gods kept the fast of Karva Chauth on the Chaturthi of Kartik month and prayed for the victory of their husbands. Due to the powers of the fast, the gods won the war. It is said that since then the tradition of keeping the fast of Karva Chauth started, and women have been observing this fast for the longevity of their husbands.
According to another belief of Karva Chauth, this fast was first observed by Goddess Parvati for Lord Shiva. According to the legend, Goddess Parvati observed this fast methodically to attain unbroken good fortune. Pleased with her devotion and penance, Lord Shiva blessed Goddess Parvati with unbroken good fortune. That is why on the day of Karva Chauth, women especially worship Shiva-Parvati and pray to Goddess Parvati for the long and healthy life of their husbands.
Another popular story of Karva Chauth is related to 'Veervati'. Veervati was a beautiful queen who kept the fast of Karva Chauth for the first time for the long life of her husband. But she fainted due to hunger and thirst. Then her brothers showed her the moon saying that the moon has come out. Veervati broke the fast, but due to this deceit her husband died. After this Veervati again kept the fast of Karva Chauth with full devotion, which brought her husband back to life. This story reveals the importance of Karva Chauth fast and the importance of devotion.
Karva Chauth is not only a religious fast, but it is also a symbol of love, trust and dedication between husband and wife. On this day married women keep a Nirjala fast from sunrise to moonrise and break the fast only after seeing the moon and offering Arghya to it at night.
In today's time, the fast of Karva Chauth is celebrated with great enthusiasm not only traditionally but also in modern society. It strengthens the relationship between husband and wife and increases their love and devotion. On this day, women dress up specially and do puja for their husbands.
Karva Chaturthi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month is fasted on Karva Chauth. This is the main festival of women. Suhagin women observe this fast for their husband's longevity.
A moneylender had seven boys and a girl. His daughter-in-law and daughter, including Sethani, had fasted for Karva Chauth. When the moneylender's boys started eating food, they asked their sister for food. On this the sister replied - Brother! The moon has not yet come out. I will give food after giving it. After listening to the sister, what did the brothers do that they went out in the city and lit a fire and while going through the sieve, showing light from them, they told the sister - sister! read more
The festival of Karva Chauth is Friday 10 October 2025.
Karwa Chauth will start on Friday, 10 October 2025, morning at 06:19 am and will continue till 08:13 pm. On this day the moon rise time is at 08:13 pm.
Married women observe a fast for the longevity and prosperity of their husbands.
Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati are worshipped. Women break the fast only after seeing the moon.
Moonrise time on karwa chauth 2025 is 08:13 pm.