Karwa Chauth, a cherished festival among married women in North India, is set to be celebrated on Sunday, October 20, 2024, this year. 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 contrast, regions like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and southern India follow the Amanta calendar, where Karwa Chauth is observed during the month of Ashwin. Despite these differences, the festival is celebrated on the same day across the country, symbolising unity in diversity. Karwa Chauth 2024 date falls on Sunday, but what about the sargi time for Karwa Chauth? What is the moonrise time on Karwa Chauth 2024? What time should one break the fast? What are the puja shubh muhurat and other important rituals to be followed, including the recital of Rani Veeravati Katha on the festival day? If you are observing the Karwa Chauth vrat for the first time or for many years, here's all the information on this festival that will help you celebrate without any hassle.

Karwa Chauth 2024 Date, Sargi and Moonrise Time

  • Date: Sunday, October 20, 2024

  • Puja Muhurat: 05:46 PM to 07:02 PM

  • Sargi Time for Karwa Chauth: 2 Hours Before Sunrise, i.e., 04:34 AM IST

  • Upavasa Time: 06:25 AM to 07:54 PM

  • Moonrise Time on October 20: 07:54 PM

  • Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 06:46 AM on October 20, 2024

  • Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 04:16 AM on October 21, 2024

The Rituals of Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth, also known as Karak Chaturthi, is rich in cultural and religious significance. The term "Karwa" refers to a clay pot, which is central to the evening Puja rituals. During the ceremony, women make water offerings, known as Argha, to the moon using this pot. Following the ritual, the Karwa is often donated as charity to a Brahmin or an eligible woman. Karwa Chauth 2024 Saree Ideas: Janhvi Kapoor, Tamannaah's Red Sarees Will Add a Dash of Glam to Your Festival This Year (View Pics).

The day begins early for women, who consume a pre-dawn meal called Sargi. Traditionally prepared and gifted by the mother-in-law, Sargi includes fruits, sweets, and savoury dishes, providing nourishment for the day-long fast. After this meal, women observe the fast with utmost dedication, refraining from food and water until the moon is sighted in the night sky.

Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha in Punjabi With Lyrics (Watch Video)

As evening approaches, women don traditional attire, typically in vibrant shades of red, symbolising marital bliss. They adorn themselves with jewellery and henna and gather with other married women for the evening Puja. Together, they sit in a circle, sharing stories and singing folk songs dedicated to Karwa Chauth, creating a sense of community and shared devotion.

A Day of Love and Devotion

Karwa Chauth is primarily a fasting ritual observed by married women for the well-being, prosperity, and long life of their husbands. The rigorous fast, known as nirjala vrat, symbolises the deep devotion and love that wives hold for their spouses. The day also coincides with Sankashti Chaturthi, a fasting day dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Thus, during the Puja, women worship deities such as Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya, seeking blessings for their husbands' longevity and happiness. Karwa Chauth 2024 Easy Mehndi Designs: Try These Designs for the Auspicious Occasion (Watch Videos).

Breaking the Fast

The fast is only broken once the moon is sighted. Women traditionally view the moon through a sieve before looking at their husband's face through the same sieve, a ritual that symbolises their belief that their husband is their universe. After making the water offering (Argha) to the moon, husbands provide their wives with the first sip of water and a morsel of food, symbolising mutual love and commitment.

Popularity and Regional Variations

While Karwa Chauth is particularly celebrated in North Indian states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, its observance is less common in southern India. Nevertheless, the significance and rituals of the festival emphasise the same themes of devotion, love, and the sanctity of the marital bond.

Karwa Chauth is more than just a festival; it represents a deep-rooted cultural tradition that highlights the strength of marital relationships. As women prepare to celebrate this significant day in 2024, they carry forward the legacy of love, devotion, and community, reinforcing the bonds that unite families and communities.

(Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on beliefs and legends only. Before applying any information in real life, consult the concerned expert.)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 18, 2024 01:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).