Blog

Karva Chauth is more than just a traditional Hindu holiday. It’s also a sign of how  much a husband and wife love and care  for each other In this article, we get to  the heart of this festival by talking about what it means, the interesting stories behind it, the date and time, the  holy practises, the evening puja, the happy moment of breaking the fast and the part that husbands play in  this lovely celebration.

You might also like: Lunar Eclipse 2023: Date, Time And Impact On Zodiac Signs

Karva Chauth 2023 Date and Time

In 2023, Karva Chauth will  be celebrated on Wednesday, November 1 Different cities have different puja  times. Here are the puja  times for each city on Karva  Chauth 2023:

• New Delhi: 5:36 pm to 6:54 pm

• Ahmedabad – 6:02 pm to 7:18 pm 

• Noida  – 5:36 pm to 6:53 pm 

• Jaipur – 5:44 pm to 7:02 pm 

• Mumbai – 6:05 pm to 7:21 pm 

• Gurgaon/Gurugram – 5:37 pm to 6:55 pm 

• Bengaluru- 5:53 pm to 7:07 pm

• Pune – 6:02 pm to 7:17 pm

• Chennai – 5:42 pm to 6:56 pm 

• Kolkata  – 4:59 pm to 6:15 pm

• Hyderabad- 5:45 pm to 7:00 pm

• Chandigarh- 5:35 pm to 6:54 pm

The Meaning of Karva Chauth

For married Hindu women Karva Chauth is  a very important day. It is marked on  the fourth day of the dark fortnight in  the month of Kartika 

During this one-day festival, they fast  from sunrise to moonrise to make sure their husbands live  long and healthy lives

The Story Behind Karva Chauth

There are many interesting stories about how Karva Chauth came to  be. One of the most famous is  the story of Karva Devi The story is about a  brave and devoted woman called Karva whose love and devotion made  the festival possible.

She lived in a small town and was a devoted wife When her husband went to  the stream to take a bath a crocodile jumped  out and grabbed him Karva loved her husband very much and couldn’t stand to  see him in pain.

Karva was determined and in love so  she wrapped a cotton thread around the crocodile’s neck and begged Lord Yama the god of death, to spare  her husband’s life 

Her fervent prayers and unwavering devotion reached the  divine world and Lord Yama had no choice but  to free her husband from death’s grasp.

This amazing display of love and sacrifice by Karva Devi became a famous story  that shows how devoted a wife is  to her husband’s health During Karva Chauth, her bravery and devotion are honoured. This makes many married women fast and ask that  their husbands live long and happy lives.

The story of Karva Devi is a powerful reminder of  how strong love, respect and the bond between a husband and wife can  be. It shows how Karva Chauth’s spirit lives on, an event that beautifully captures the essence of  love and sacrifice.

The Rituals of Karva Chauth

There are many traditions and practices that make Karva  Chauth a  unique and memorable day. Here are some  of the most important traditions that go along with  this festival:

• Sargi: The mother-in-law starts the  day by giving her daughter-in-law Sargi which is usually a  basket  of sweets, fruits and other foods that will keep her going all  day

• Fasting: From sunrise until they see the moon, women must follow a  strict fast. During this fast you can’t eat, drink or even take a  sip  of water

• Getting Ready: Women wear traditional indian attire, jewelry and have mehendi done on  their hands Part  of the fun is making sure everyone looks their  best

• Puja  and prayers: In the evening, women get together for puja as  a group. They light clay lamps and the puja  thali has things like a  Karva  (a  small earthen pot), a  diya  (a  lamp) and different gifts for the gods.

At night, when the moon rises, everyone looks forward to it the most. When women see  the moon, they break their fast and they  often use a  screen to help them do it 

They give water to the moon to ask for its help in making their husband live a  long life.

Evening Puja

The evening puja is the main event of  the festival, and it happens in the night, after the  sun goes down. When women get together, it makes the  mood lively and peaceful 

The puja thali, a plate  with different symbolic items on it, is very important:

• A karva, which is a clay pot, that has water in  it

• A diya, which is  an oil lamp, stands for the light of love and hope

• A thali full of sweets and dry fruits, which stands for  the sweet times and caring parts of being married

• A chunri (scarf) that stands for  the safety and beauty of marriage life

• A mangalsutra, which is  a necklace and a holy sign of marriage

• A sindoor (vermilion), which shows that  the person is married

• A piece of mehendi (henna) that makes marriage life  more beautiful

The puja starts with lighting the  diya and giving arghya to the karva. Next, prayers are said to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, asking them to  bless their men with health and wealth 

The moving Karva Chauth katha, which tells  the story of Karva Devi, is  the main attraction.

Breaking the Fast

If a woman wants to break her  fast spiritually, she does puja and then eats sweets  and dry foods 

Women often kindly give their husbands the first  bite of food, which is meant to show how close they are to  each other.

Husband’s Role

During Karva Chauth, men make  sure their wives are comfortable and help them get ready for the fast. They stand by their side all day, giving them strength  and support 

The happy time comes after the moon rises, when husbands and wives break  their fast together and make their promise to  love and be together forever stronger.

Karva Chauth is  a day of love, devotion, and promises. It is  a celebration that strengthens the bond between a married couple and the ideals of trust, loyalty and eternal love.

The event is more than just a  set  of rituals; its also a  powerful reminder  of how committed husbands and wives are  to each other This Karva  Chauth, remember the love and promises you share with your spouse. 

May this  day strengthen the beautiful link between you two Have fun with the celebrations, make memories that you’ll treasure and look forward to a  happy and successful future. Most importantly enjoy Karva  Chauth!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is Karva Chauth?

• Karva Chauth is  a traditional Hindu holiday that is very important to women who  are married. Based on  the Hindu calendar, it is observed on the fourth day of  the dark fortnight in the month of Kartika. On this day, married women fast from sunrise to moonrise and hope that there husbands will live  a long and healthy life. The event is  a beautiful way to show love, devotion and the strong  bond between a husband and wife.

Q2: When is Karva Chauth 2023?

• In 2023, Karva Chauth is on November 1, a Wednesday. In Delhi, India, the fast starts at sunrise and ends when the moon rises at 5:36 PM.

Q3: What are some safety tips for Karva Chauth fasting?

• It can  be hard to fast during Karva Chauth, so its important to put your health  and well-being first. Here are some ways to stay safe:

1. Stay hydrated: Drink lots  of water during the times you are not eating.

2. Balanced Diet: During the pre-fasting time (sargi), eat  a healthy meal to keep your energy up.

3. Rest: Make sure you  get enough rest to make it through the fast.

4. Don’t overdo it: Stay away from things that are  too hard for you.

5. Dress comfortably: For the day, wear clothes that are easy on  the body.

6. Talk to a Doctor: Before you fast, you should talk to  a doctor if you have any health worries or conditions.

Q4: How can I celebrate Karva Chauth if I am not married?

• Karva Chauth is usually celebrated by married women but single women and people who  are engaged can also celebrate it. Some people fast to show their devotion and pray  for future spouses while others do  it for culture or family reasons. Love, respect and celebrating relationships are what it’s all about.

Q5: What food breaks the Karwa Chauth fast?

• During Karva Chauth, people usually break their fast with a  sip of water and certain foods. Things that are often eaten to  break the fast are:

– Sargi: This is  the meal eaten before sunrise, before the fast. It typically includes sweets, dry fruits and a healthy meal.

– Fruits: Plenty of women start their day with a date-sized piece of  fruit to slowly break their fast.

– Sweets: People often eat traditional sweets like sugar or  a piece of mithai.

– A Meal: People usually eat  a full meal with rice, vegetables and other foods after the moon rises.

Q6: Which color should we not wear on Karwa Chauth?

• People usually tell each other not  to wear black on Karva Chauth. Instead, women often choose to wear bright, happy colors like orange, pink or red, which represent love, wealth and the festival’s spirit  of celebration.

Q7: Which fruits are used in breaking the fast?

• Dates, pomegranates and apples are all common foods that  are eaten to break the Karva Chauth fast. People believe that these fruits are lucky and that eating them is  a nice way to end a day of fasting while also giving you energy  and nutrients.