Karwa Chauth is a significant Hindu festival celebrated by married women in India and across the globe. It is also called Karak Chaturthi, where Karwa or Karak means an earthen pot that is used to offer water to the moon, also referred to as Argha. The earthen pot or Karwa is considered very important to the Karwa Chauth celebration. The day is devoted to keeping a fast in observance of the husband’s long life and good health. A lot of women participate in prayers and ceremonies on this holy day.
According to the Purnimanta calendar, Karwa Chauth falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi in the Hindu month of Kartik. The celebration falls in the month of Ashwin for people in Gujarat and Maharashtra who follow the Amanta calendar. Despite these variations, Karwa Chauth is celebrated on the same day throughout India.
Karwa Chauth 2024 Date & Shubh Muhurat Timings
This year, Karwa Chauth will be grandly celebrated on Sunday, October 20, as per Drik Panchang. The Chaturthi Tithi commences at 6:46 AM on October 20, 2024, and concludes at 4:16 AM on October 21, 2024.
The Karwa Chauth Puja Muhurat is from 5:46 PM to 7:02 PM. The duration is 1 hour and 16 minutes. Meanwhile, the Karwa Chauth Upavasa Time is from 6:25 AM to 7:54 PM (which is 13 hours and 29 minutes). The Moonrise on Karwa Chauth is anticipated to be at 7:54 PM.
Karwa Chauth 2024: History & Significance
The festival has ties to many folklore, most notably the story of the devoted queen Veeravati. Following her marriage, Veeravati observed her first Karwa Chauth and fainted from starvation. She broke her fast early after her brothers tricked her into believing that the moon had risen.
She found out about her husband’s passing shortly after. She prayed to Goddess Parvati in her sadness and received her wish to fast fervently. Her husband’s life was saved by her faith, demonstrating the strength of devotion and love.
Another tale from the Mahabharata concerns the Pandavas and their wife Draupadi, who, following Arjuna’s several-day sojourn in the Nilgiris for prayer and meditation, turned to her brother Krishna for help. He told her to follow the same stringent fasting practices as Goddess Parvati to ensure her husband Arjuna’s safety. As Draupadi persisted, Arjuna returned home safely.
During Karwa Chauth, women demonstrate their devotion to their husbands by fasting and praying, symbolising the merging of tradition and faith. Over the years, the festival has added modern elements, but its core message of respect and love has not changed.
Karwa Chauth 2024: Rituals And Tradition
- Married women refrain from having food and water from sunrise to moonrise as part of a rigorous fast.
- They honour Lord Shiva as well as his family, Lord Ganesha among others.
- Only when the moon is seen and offerings are made, the fast is broken.
- The earthen pot used to make water offerings to the moon is referred to as a karwa and the event is also called Karak Chaturthi.
Karwa Chauth 2024: Celebrations
Karwa Chauth is mainly observed with colourful celebrations in northern and western India. The joyous mood is reflected in the abundance of decorations, traditional attire and sweets found in markets.
Local customs may differ, but the fundamental idea is the same — love, devotion and the holy union of marriage are celebrated.
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