Karwa Chauth is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated primarily by married women in India. This significant observance falls on the fourth day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, typically in October or November. It is a day when married women fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying for the long and prosperous life of their husbands.

Karwa Chauth 2023 Date: November 01, Wednesday.

Tithi timing: Oct 31, 9:30 pm to Nov 01, 9:19 pm.

Moonrise time of various cities to break fast:

Jaipur, Rajasthan: 08:26 PM

Ahmedabad, Gujarat: 08:50 PM

Patna, Bihar: 07:51 PM

Mumbai, Maharashtra: 08:59 PM

Bengaluru, Karnataka: 08:54 PM

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: 08:29 PM

Raipur, Chhattisgarh: 08:17 PM

Hyderabad, Telangana: 08:40 PM

Chennai, Tamil Nadu: 08:43 PM

Kolkata, West Bengal: 07:46 PM

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: 08:05 PM

Chandigarh: 08:10 PM

Bhubaneswar, Odisha: 08:02 PM

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: 08:07 PM

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: 08:06 PM

Ranchi, Jharkhand: 07:56 PM

The word "Karwa" refers to an earthen pot, while "Chauth" means the fourth. The festival is named after the clay pot that plays a crucial role in the rituals of the day. Women wake up before dawn to have a pre-dawn meal, often referred to as "Sargi," which is usually prepared by their mothers-in-law. This meal provides them with the necessary energy to sustain their fast throughout the day.

As the day progresses, women engage in various rituals and customs. One of the essential aspects of Karwa Chauth is the application of mehndi (henna) on their hands, which is not only a form of adornment but also symbolizes the love and affection they have for their husbands. Women also dress up in their finest traditional attire, usually donning colorful sarees or lehengas.

In the evening, women gather together, along with friends and family, for a special ceremony. They sing traditional songs and narrate the story of Veeravati, a popular mythological character associated with Karwa Chauth. According to the legend, Veeravati observed a stringent fast and fervently prayed for her husband's well-being. Due to her unwavering devotion and determination, she was able to save her husband's life from a fatal accident.

The most crucial part of the Karwa Chauth rituals is the worship of the moon. As the evening sky darkens, women come together with their decorated earthen pots filled with water, fruits, and other symbolic items. They sit in a circle and wait for the moonrise. Once the moon becomes visible, the women offer prayers and seek the blessings of the moon for their husbands' long lives. This ritual is a poignant moment, as women break their fast only after sighting the moon.

Upon the completion of these rituals, husbands traditionally offer their wives the first morsel of food and water to break their fast, symbolizing their appreciation and love. This act underscores the bond of trust and love between married couples.

Karwa Chauth is not just a religious event but a cultural celebration of the enduring love and devotion that Indian married women have for their husbands. It reflects the deep-rooted beliefs, values, and traditions that continue to play a vital role in the lives of countless individuals and families in India. While the festival has evolved over time and may vary in customs from one region to another, its essence remains the same—strengthening the bonds of love and togetherness within the sacred institution of marriage.