All you need to know about Karva Chauth

Just like Valentine day is considered to be the most celebrated day by the lovers all around the world, Karva Chauth holds same importance in India, especially by North Indians. It is a festival in which married women fast from sunrise to moon-rise for the safety and longevity of their husbands. Sometimes even many women observe the fast for their fiances or desired husbands. But today even many men observe the fast, may be because of the influence of movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.

But do you know how this festival originated? Well here is the answer.

The origin of this festival was based on an idea which has lost its true sense. In the ancient time, girls used to get married at a very early stage, and had to go and live with their in-laws in other villages. After marriage, if she faces any problem with her in-laws or her husband, she would have no one to talk to or seek support from. Her own parents and relatives would be quite far and unreachable. Thus the custom started that, at the time of marriage, when bride would reach her in-laws, she would befriend another woman there who would be her friend (kangan-saheli) or sister (dharam-behn) for life. It would be similar to god-friends or god-sisters.

Later in life, if she faces any difficulty related to her husband or in-laws, she would be able to confidently talk or seek help from each other. Fasting and praying for husband came later and is secondary. It was probably added, along with other mythical tales, to enhance the festival. But today the festival is merely celebrated with the same sense. Though it is of little importance as people feel happy the way they are celebrating it now. And if you talk about ignorance then it is in trend in every Indian festival today.

For a newly wed couple, the festival is celebrated with immense pomp and enthusiasm. The new important aspect of Karwa Chauth is that a dawn to dusk fast is undertaken by the ladies and they finally break the fast after seeing the moon. The fast is unique in itself because nowhere in this whole world does a wife go without food or water just to pray for the long-life and well-being of her husband.

The festival is more symbolic in nature. It is not so much about fasting. It’s also about celebration of sorts, of the institution of marriage in India.

Karva Chauth Katha

The Karva Chauth Katha recited during the festival tells the tale of Princess Veeravati who got married to a king and how she got her husband back by observing fast for him the day long.

Vrat Vidhi of Sargi

It is traditionally observed by Punjabis. Sargi- a food hamper that mother-in-law gifts to her daughter-in-law which includes food items such as nuts, vermicelli kheer and even mathri. One is supposed to eat early morning before sunrise on Karva Chauth.

Karva Chauth Puja

The Karva chauth  katha is read out aloud as the thali with a sweet, glass of water, a diya and other puja materials is passed around in a circle. All that is left now is to wait for the moon to rise.

Breaking the fast

One consistent way to break the fast is to look at your husband through sieve and take a sip of water from his hands to break your fast. However, different people break fast in different ways.

Puja Time

Karva Chauth Muhurat is the exact duration of time within which puja can be performed. The whole duration for Karva Chauth Pooja on 30th of October, 2015 is 1 hour and 18 mins. The timing of moon rise on the day of Karva Chauth will be at: 08:26 PM.