Karwa Chauth also known as Charak Chaturthi, is considered to be one of the many auspicious traditions followed by Hindu married women for their husbands, it is observed on the fourth day after Purnima in the month of Kartik in various parts of India.
Married women keep a day-long Nirjala Vrat (fasting) without drinking water, this Vrat starts in the wee hours and last all day long, it is believed that they pray for the well-being, long life and prosperity of their spouse.
It is mainly celebrated in parts of North India, especially Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh as well.
Even unmarried girls also observe a day-long fast on Karwa Chauth.
This particular day coincides with Sankashti Chaturthi observed for Lord Ganesha.
This year in 2021, Karva Chauth is to be celebrated on October 24 that is exactly ten days before Deepawali. On this day women worship Karva Mata. The Karwa Chauth timings will prevail between 6.27 am to 8.07 pm on the same date.
Every year Karva Chauth is celebrated with a lot of joy, it is considered to be the festival of marriage. Suhaagans get ready in bright colours, apply henna in their hands and get decked up with beautiful jewellery.
Married women eat Sargi before the sunrise as it is the part of the ritual, Sargi is the first and only meal that they eat before starting the fast. It consists of dry fruits, halwa, kheer, fruits and other food items that are usually prepared by their mother-in-law.
After Sargi, married women gather all together to enjoy Maa karwa’s katha and later when the moon is out in the night sky they see the reflection of the moon and then their husbands though Chhani, drink water and break the fast.
Karwa chauth is a symbol of a strong relationship of love, trust and sacrifice between a husband and wife.
Ms Kalinga