Karwa Chauth, one of North India’s most cherished festivals, continues to weave together threads of faith, mythology, and tradition even in a rapidly changing social landscape.
Celebrated predominantly by married women, it is a day of rigorous fasting — abstaining from food and water from sunrise until moonrise — as wives pray for the long life, prosperity, and well-being of their husbands.
In 2025, Karwa Chauth falls on Friday, October 10, corresponding to Krishna Paksha Chaturthi in the Hindu month of Kartik.
According to Drik Panchang, the Puja Muhurta will be observed between 5:58 PM and 7:11 PM, while the fast begins at 6:08 AM and concludes at 8:36 PM, when the moon is expected to rise. Interestingly, the festival also coincides with Sankashti Chaturthi, a day devoted to Lord Ganesha, signifying auspicious alignment.
The Mythological Roots
The origin of Karwa Chauth is steeped in Hindu mythology and epic lore, with references found in the Mahabharata.
One legend speaks of Savitri, whose steadfast devotion compelled Lord Yama, the god of death, to restore her husband’s life — an enduring symbol of a wife’s love and the power of faith.
Another tale describes Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, observing a fast similar to Goddess Parvati’s, on Lord Krishna’s advice. When Arjuna undertook penance in the Nilgiris,
Draupadi’s fast and prayers ensured his safe return — setting a divine precedent for what later became the ritual of Karwa Chauth.
The term Karwa Chauth itself comes from “Karwa” (an earthen pot used for sacred offerings) and “Chauth” (the fourth day of the waning moon).
Over centuries, the ritual evolved into a symbol of marital fidelity and emotional endurance, deeply embedded in the cultural tapestry of northern India, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
The Rituals and Their Meaning
Traditionally, women begin preparations days in advance — adorning themselves in vibrant sarees, applying mehendi (henna), and gathering with friends and family to perform sargi (a pre-dawn meal prepared by the mother-in-law).
Throughout the day, they fast without food or water, engaging in prayers and devotional activities.
As dusk falls, women assemble for the Karwa Chauth Puja, where they exchange karwas (clay pots) and listen to the Karwa Chauth Katha, narrating tales of devotion and sacrifice.
When the moon rises, women offer arghya (water offerings) to the lunar deity through a sieve, view their husbands’ faces, and finally break their fast — often touching their husbands’ feet as a mark of reverence and gratitude.
The Cultural Continuity
Historically, Karwa Chauth was also a community ritual that strengthened bonds among women. In earlier times, when men traveled far for trade or war, this festival symbolized the emotional strength of women left behind — a way to pray for the safety and longevity of their partners.
Over time, it became an emblem of marital commitment, celebrated with both devotion and festivity.
Karwa Chauth in Modern India
In contemporary India, the meaning of Karwa Chauth is transforming. As more women achieve financial independence and social autonomy, the festival’s traditional framework — where a wife prays solely for her husband’s long life — faces both introspection and reinterpretation.
Some see it as a gesture of mutual love, with many modern couples observing the fast together, symbolizing equality and emotional reciprocity.
Yet, social commentators note a contrasting trend — that in today’s material and fast-paced urban life, emotional reverence within marriages is fading.
Reports and surveys suggest that only a small number of urban women hold the same degree of spiritual or emotional devotion toward their husbands as their predecessors once did.
Nevertheless, for countless women across India, Karwa Chauth remains a deeply personal expression of love, prayer, and cultural continuity. It is a ritual that transcends centuries — connecting mythology, marriage, and modern womanhood in a single moonlit evening.
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