Karva Chauth 2024
Karva Chauth, one of the most eagerly awaited festivals for married women in North India, will be celebrated on Sunday, October 20, 2024. This auspicious occasion falls on the fourth day after the full moon (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Kartik, according to the Purnimant calendar. In Gujarat, Maharashtra, and southern India, where the Amanta calendar is followed, Karva Chauth occurs in the month of Ashwin. Despite the different regional names, the festival is celebrated on the same day across India.
Karva Chauth 2024: Date, Time, and Muhurat
- Karva Chauth: Sunday, October 20, 2024
- Karva Chauth Puja Muhurat: 5:46 PM to 7:02 PM
- Upavasa (Fasting) Time: 6:25 AM to 7:54 PM
- Moonrise Time: 7:54 PM
- Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 6:46 AM on October 20, 2024
- Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 4:16 AM on October 21, 2024
The Rituals of Karva Chauth
Karva Chauth, also known as Karak Chaturthi, holds deep cultural and religious significance. The word “Karva” or “Karak” refers to a clay pot, which is central to the evening Puja. Married women use this pot to make water offerings, known as Argha, to the moon. After the ritual, the Karva is often given as charity (Dan) to a Brahmin or a woman who is eligible to receive it.
The day begins before sunrise with the consumption of Sargi, a meal prepared by the mother-in-law for the fasting woman. This pre-dawn meal includes fruits, sweets, and other nutritious items that provide energy for the day-long fast. After eating Sargi, women observe a strict nirjala vrat—a fast where they abstain from both food and water until they see the moon in the evening.
In the evening, women dress in vibrant traditional attire, often in shades of red, symbolizing marital bliss. Adorned with jewelry and mehendi (henna), they gather in groups for the evening Puja, where they exchange stories and sing folk songs dedicated to the festival. The camaraderie and collective spirit of the occasion strengthen not only the bond with their spouses but also with the community.
The Importance of Karva Chauth
Karva Chauth is a sacred day dedicated to the long life, health, and prosperity of husbands. Married women fast from sunrise to moonrise as a gesture of love and devotion. The fast is considered one of the most rigorous, as it is observed without food or water for the entire day.
During the Puja, women worship Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya, seeking their blessings for the well-being of their husbands. The festival also coincides with Sankashti Chaturthi, a day dedicated to Lord Ganesha, further enhancing its spiritual significance.
Breaking the Fast
The fast is broken only after the moon is sighted in the evening. As part of the ritual, women view the moon through a sieve and then look at their husbands’ faces through the same sieve. This gesture symbolizes that their husbands are the center of their universe. After making the Argha (water offering) to the moon, the husbands offer the first sip of water and a morsel of food to their wives, symbolizing love, support, and mutual commitment.
Popularity and Regional Variations of Karva Chauth
While Karva Chauth is immensely popular in North Indian states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, it holds less prominence in southern India. However, the essence of the festival—dedication to the marital bond—remains the same across regions. Four days after Karva Chauth, another festival, Ahoi Ashtami, is celebrated by mothers who fast and pray for the well-being and long life of their sons. This sequence of festivals emphasizes the strong family values that are central to Indian culture.
A Celebration of Love and Devotion
Karva Chauth is not just a day of fasting, but a celebration of love, sacrifice, and the sacred bond of marriage. The meaningful rituals and rich cultural heritage surrounding this festival continue to be cherished by married women across generations. As Karva Chauth 2024 approaches, may the divine blessings of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva bring joy, prosperity, and good health to your married life.
FAQs
What’s the Shubh Muhurat for Karva Chauth?
Karva Chauth: Sunday, October 20, 2024
Karva Chauth Puja Muhurat: 5:46 PM to 7:02 PM
Upavasa (Fasting) Time: 6:25 AM to 7:54 PM
Moonrise Time: 7:54 PM
Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 6:46 AM on October 20, 2024
Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 4:16 AM on October 21, 2024
