Karwa Chauth Vrat Puja Time and Fasting End Time
- 7:43 PM to 8:29 PM is auspicious for performing puja
- Fast end time - 7:43 PM and 8:28 PM - Moon will be sighted in North India.
Why is Karva Chauth Observed?
Karva Chauth Vrat is observed by women for a happy and prosperous married life and for the well-being of the husband and is one of the most popular Hindu fast and ritual.Wives of soldiers started observing a special fast for the well-being of their husbands on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha) after the first full moon of the month of Kartik. This is known as the Karva Chauth fast.
Karwa Chauth In Hindu Scriptures
Karva Chauth is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that Goddess Parvathi had observed severe penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Women emulate the fasting practice observed by Goddess Parvati for her husband Lord Shiva.Karwa Chauth Basic Fasting Rules
On the Karva Chauth day after an early morning bath, married women eat food made from select grains and fruits. All this takes place before sunrise. After sunrise, the women observe a strict fast. Some people even do not drink water.
Women in the neighborhood gather in a house and take advice from elderly women on how to observe Karva Chauth fasting. They also listen to the significance to Karva Chauth, Katha (stories) and perform rituals together.
The fast is broken after sighting the moon at night along with her husband. The moon is seen through a sieve. Women break the fast with an offering of water and flowers to the moon.
Karwa Chauth Dos and Don'ts
- Red color is the preferred choice on the day as it is considered auspicious for married woman. Blue, brown and black color dress should not be worn on the day.
- The person performing the vrat should not distribute milk, curd, uncooked rice and white color cloth.
- One should not get angry and insult elderly people on the day.
- Goddess Parvati should be worshipped before the sighting of the moon. She should also be offered puri and halwa as prasad.
Karwa Chauth Sargi from Mother-in-law
Sargi is prepared by mother-in-law for her daughter-in-law especially in Punjab and Haryana. It is a kind of meal with dry fruits and other regional items. Today, sargi also contains gifts.
The sargi is present on the day before sunrise. It contains fresh fruits, sweets, dry fruits, traditional snacks and coconuts. Oily food is avoided as it makes the person lethargic.
As those observing the vrat do not eat food or drink water after sunrise, the food items in sargi is consumed before sunrise on Karva Chauth day.
Now gifts like sari and jewelry are part of sargi.
Some Rare Facts
In some traditions, karva also refers to a vessel used for storing wheat grains. This is the time when the sowing of wheat begins, and the large pot in which the wheat is kept is called karva.
There is also a belief that the name comes from a devoted woman named Karva, who once saved her husband from the jaws of a crocodile through her deep devotion.
Originally, this ritual was observed mainly by the wives of soldiers, but over time, its popularity spread to almost every Hindu household.
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