Karwa Chauth is a special Hindu festival celebrated by married women across India and other parts of the world. In 2024, Karwa Chauth will be observed on Sunday, October 20. This festival, also known as Karak Chaturthi, honors the love and bond between a husband and wife.
The festival has its roots in ancient stories. In the Mahabharata, a woman named Savitri saved her husband’s life by asking the god of death, Lord Yama, to return his soul. There is also a story of Draupadi from the Mahabharata, who sought her brother Krishna’s help while her husband Arjuna was away praying and meditating.
The word “Karwa” or “Karak” means an earthen pot, which is used during the rituals. The pot plays an important role in the festival as water is offered to the moon through it. This ritual is called “Argha.”
Fasting: Married women do not eat or drink anything from sunrise until moonrise. This fast is kept for their husbands’ long life and well-being.
Puja (Prayer): Women gather to pray to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Ganesha. They ask for blessings for their husbands’ health and happiness.
Breaking the Fast: The fast is ended after seeing the moon. Women make an offering using the “karwa” pot filled with water before eating.
Karwa Offering: The earthen pot is used to offer water, or Argha, to the moon as a part of the final ritual of the day.
Symbol of Love and Dedication: The earthen pot represents the deep love and dedication of a wife for her husband. It symbolizes the sacrifices she makes and the strong connection they share.
Offering Water to the Moon: The pot is used to give water, known as “Argha,” to the moon during the night. This is an important ritual believed to bring good fortune and happiness to the couple.
A Sign of the Wife’s Fasting: The pot also stands for the wife’s fasting, known as “Nirjala Vrat,” where she refrains from eating or drinking from sunrise until she sees the moon in the evening. It shows her devotion and commitment to her partner.
Karwa Chauth is mostly celebrated in the northern and western parts of India. During the festival, markets are filled with colorful decorations, traditional clothes, and sweets. Each region may have its own small differences in how it celebrates, but the main meaning of the day stays the same — it is a celebration of love, devotion, and the special bond of marriage.
The festival is not just about the fast but also about coming together with family, dressing up in traditional clothes, and sharing the joy of this meaningful day.
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