Karaka Chaturthi, popularly known as Karva Chauth, is one of the most important and deeply cherished festivals for married women in North India. The festival is dedicated to the well-being, long life, and prosperity of husbands, and is marked by a rigorous day-long fast observed by wives.
The fast is broken only after sighting the moon and performing prayers, with the participation of the husband, who offers water or food to his wife to break her fast. Karva Chauth is not only a spiritual observance but also a celebration of love, trust, and the bond between married couples.
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Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth) Dates in India for 2024, 2025, and 2026
Here are the dates for Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth) in India for the upcoming years:
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20/10/2024 | Sunday |
| 2025 | 09/10/2025 | Thursday |
| 2026 | 28/10/2026 | Wednesday |
The Significance of Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth) in India
Karva Chauth holds great cultural and religious significance for married women in India. The festival is rooted in ancient traditions and is believed to have originated from the practice of invoking blessings for the longevity and protection of one’s husband. Women observe a strict fast from sunrise until moonrise, refraining from food and water. It is believed that a wife’s devotion and prayers on this day have the power to ensure her husband’s long life and well-being.
In addition to its religious importance, Karva Chauth has also become a celebration of the marital bond and a reflection of love, trust, and mutual respect between spouses.
How Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth) is Celebrated in India
Karva Chauth is observed with rituals, prayers, and a strong sense of devotion. The day is characterised by fasting, dressing in traditional attire, and the performance of rituals to seek blessings for the husband’s well-being.
- Sargi (Pre-Dawn Meal): The day begins early for women observing Karva Chauth, as they consume a pre-dawn meal known as sargi. This meal is traditionally prepared by the mother-in-law and includes fruits, sweets, and other nourishing foods to help sustain the fasting woman throughout the day. After sargi, women refrain from eating or drinking anything until the fast is broken after moonrise.
- Fasting and Prayers: Throughout the day, women abstain from food and water, dedicating their fast to the well-being and longevity of their husbands. During the day, they engage in prayers and rituals, which often involve gathering with other women observing the fast. They offer prayers to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Ganesha, seeking their blessings for their husbands.
- Applying Mehendi and Dressing Up: Karva Chauth is also a time for women to adorn themselves in their finest traditional attire, often wearing bridal-like outfits, jewellery, and applying mehendi (henna) on their hands. Dressing up in vibrant colours, especially red, symbolises marital bliss and is an essential part of the celebration.
- Evening Puja and Storytelling: In the evening, women gather for a communal puja (prayer), where they sit in a circle, passing a decorated plate or karva (a small earthen pot) while listening to stories of devotion and loyalty. One of the popular tales recited during this time is the legend of Queen Veeravati, whose deep devotion to her husband saved his life.
- Sighting of the Moon and Breaking the Fast: The fast is broken after the women sight the moon. The evening concludes with the most awaited moment when the moon rises. Women view the moon through a sieve and offer prayers, often with their husbands by their side. They then break their fast by drinking water and eating a morsel of food, typically offered by their husbands, symbolising the conclusion of their prayers and the end of the fast.
Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth) in Different Parts of India
Karva Chauth is celebrated with regional variations, especially in the northern and western parts of India. Each region adds its unique customs to the observance of this festival.
- North India: In states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, Karva Chauth is celebrated with immense devotion. Women in these states follow traditional rituals, gather for communal prayers, and break their fast only after performing the moon-sighting ritual with their husbands.
- Maharashtra and Gujarat: While Karva Chauth is predominantly celebrated in the north, it is also observed in parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat, particularly among North Indian communities. The rituals are similar, with women observing a day-long fast and breaking it after sighting the moon.
- Delhi and NCR: In metropolitan areas like Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), Karva Chauth has evolved into a grand celebration, with special events, cultural performances, and community gatherings. Women often visit salons to prepare for the day, and markets are bustling with activity, selling special Karva Chauth items like sargi baskets, mehendi, and festive clothing.
- Western Countries: Among the Indian diaspora, particularly in countries like the USA, UK, and Canada, Karva Chauth is also observed with devotion. Women often gather in small groups or participate in virtual celebrations to maintain the tradition, even when they are far from home.
Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth) – A Festival of Devotion, Love, and Tradition
Karva Chauth is a unique festival that beautifully blends devotion, love, and tradition. For married women, the festival is an opportunity to express their love and commitment to their husbands through fasting, prayers, and rituals. It is a day of celebrating the marital bond, strengthening relationships, and reflecting on the values of dedication, patience, and faith.
The festival also fosters a sense of community among women, as they come together to share their experiences, participate in rituals, and support each other in their observance of the fast. In a modern context, Karva Chauth has evolved to include celebrations of mutual love and respect between spouses, making it a cherished and enduring tradition.
More Information about Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth) in India
- Is Karva Chauth a public holiday in India? Karva Chauth is observed as a restricted public holiday in some states of India, particularly in North India. The festival is celebrated with fasting, rituals, and prayers dedicated to the well-being of husbands.
- How is Karva Chauth celebrated in India? Karva Chauth is celebrated with a day-long fast observed by married women for the health and longevity of their husbands. The fast is broken after the moon is sighted in the evening, with prayers and rituals performed to seek divine blessings.
- What is the significance of fasting during Karva Chauth in India? Fasting during Karva Chauth is a symbol of devotion and love. Women observe the fast to pray for the long life and prosperity of their husbands, believing that their prayers and sacrifices will bring divine protection and blessings.
- Where are the major Karva Chauth celebrations held in India? Major Karva Chauth celebrations take place in North India, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. The festival is marked by communal prayers, traditional rituals, and the breaking of the fast after moonrise.