Karwa Chauth is a significant festival celebrated by Hindu women, predominantly in North India, with deep-rooted traditions that symbolize love, sacrifice, and devotion. It involves a day-long fast, observed for the long life and well-being of their husbands. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Karwa Chauth festival, including the date, moonrise timing, shubh muhurat, and the rituals that accompany it.
Date and Timing
This year, Karwa Chauth falls on Sunday, October 20, 2024, as per the Drik Panchang. The festival is celebrated on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik. The Chaturthi Tithi begins at 6:46 AM on October 20 and concludes at 4:16 AM on October 21, 2024.
Shubh Muhurat and Moonrise Timing
- Puja Muhurat: The ideal time for performing Karwa Chauth puja is between 5:46 PM and 7:02 PM. The puja lasts for approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes.
- Moonrise: The moon is expected to rise around 7:54 PM. However, moonrise times may differ slightly depending on the location.
Fasting and Rituals
The day begins with a pre-dawn meal called Sargi, which is typically prepared by mothers-in-law for their daughters-in-law. After this early meal, women begin their nirjala vrat, a fast where they abstain from both food and water throughout the day. This fasting is done with immense dedication, symbolizing their love and devotion to their husbands’ health and longevity.
In the evening, women dress in traditional attire, often vibrant sarees or lehengas, and gather together to perform the Karwa Chauth puja. During this time, they recite the Vrat Katha, which narrates the stories of Veeravati, Karwa, and Savitri, all of whom are known for their sacrifices and love.
The fast concludes with the sighting of the moon. Once the moon rises, women offer Arghya (water) to the moon and pray for their husbands’ prosperity. After this, husbands symbolically break their wives’ fast by offering them the first sip of water or the first bite of food.
Significance of Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth goes beyond a simple fast; it represents unwavering love, trust, and commitment in marriage. The festival’s rituals are seen as a way to reinforce the bond between husband and wife, while also connecting generations of women through shared traditions. Over the years, the festival has evolved, but the core values of love and devotion remain unchanged. For many women, it’s a day of celebration, prayer, and connection with their marital vows and traditions.
Vrat Katha (Legendary Stories)
During the evening, women gather for the Vrat Katha, which includes stories of legendary women like Veeravati, a devoted wife whose fast led to her husband’s resurrection, and Savitri, who fought with Yama (the god of death) to bring her husband back to life. These tales highlight the strength, loyalty, and sacrifice of women for their husbands, forming the spiritual backbone of the Karwa Chauth traditions.
While Karwa Chauth holds deep traditional and cultural significance, it is also seen as an opportunity to celebrate relationships in contemporary times. In urban settings, the festival has been embraced with modern interpretations, where both husbands and wives sometimes fast for each other’s well-being, reflecting equality and mutual respect.
