Karwa Chauth is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals in India. It is much more prevalent in the Northern and Western sides of the country. This festival is observed among married Hindu women in various parts of India where people have different ways of celebrating the festival based on the region.
As the name signifies, 'Karwa' means a clay pot and 'Chauth' corresponds to the fourth, this festival is commemorated on the fourth day after the Full Moon in the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar.
This year the festival will be celebrated on October 20, marking a significant day in the Hindu calendar, especially for married couples. The festival is characterised by a ritual where married women observe fast for one long day till the moon comes out. After which the married women pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for longevity, prosperity and safety of their husbands. While unmarried women participate in this ritual as well to find the perfect groom.
In 2024, the moon is expected to be visible between 7:50 pm and 9:05 pm, adding a special significance to the occasion. The detailed timing for the muhurat this year is as follows:
- Puja Muhurat: 5:46 pm to 7:02 pm
- Duration of Puja: 1 hour and 16 minutes
- Fasting Time: 6:25 am to 7:54 pm
- Duration of Fasting: 13 hours and 29 minutes
- Krishna Dashami Moonrise Timing: 7:54 pm
Regional Significance of Karwa Chauth
India is famous for its regional diversity and hence every region or state celebrates Karwa Chauth in their way, although the date and time remain the same.
Punjab
In Punjab, a night before Karwa Chauth, the mothers of the married women send her 'Bayaa,' which includes clothes, sindoor (vermilion), coconut, fruits and sweets. The women have to eat Sargi or the food that is prepared by her mother-in-law, before dawn.
Whereas while breaking the fast, women are supposed to look at the moon through a sieve (channi), then her husband feeds her with water and sweets. Among many households of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, even unmarried women observe the fast in order to please Lord Shiva, who, according to the legends, manifests himself as the moon. Instead of looking at the moon, young girls break their fast by looking at the North Star.
Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh
The married women in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi apply mehndi on their hands as a crucial part of the ritual. They also receive traditional gifts also known as the 16 Shringar, including anklets, indoor (vermillion), alta (red paint), toe rings, kamarband, saree and other things that are markers of a woman's marital status.
In Uttar Pradesh women also decorate the walls of their home with the drawings of Gauri Ma, the moon and the sun.
In Rajasthan, the festival of Karwa Chauth is also known as "Vata Purnima." Interestingly, the legend is that these women who observe fast are not only blessed with welfare of her husband but also wins the same husband for the next seven births.
Women also gather in group and exchange karwas (earthen pots) seven times amongst themselves. In Rajasthan, older women in families tell legends about the festival to the younger generation celebrating it.
Jammu
Here, women add wheat grains to their karwas. They also pray for a great Rabi season (winter crop) while offering water to the moon. Additionally, before the moonrise women dress like new brides and gather in groups to exchange stories and the significance of the festival.
Overall there are very few changes about how the festival is celebrated across India. However, the gist remains the same. In Maharashtra, this particular fast is not very popular but a similar one called "Vaat Savitri" is kept by married women.
Nowadays many men are also participating in the Karwa Chauth fasting ritual for their wives as a gesture of mutual love and respect. This tradition emphasises the evolving relationship dynamics where both partners equally contribute to their bonds moving beyond the conventional gender expected roles.
So as Karwa Chauth approaches, not serves as a reminder of the enduring love, commitment and evolving traditions that shape the festival, making it a festival of not only devotion but also mutual; respect in marital relationships.
