Karva Chauth

The story behind Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth is kept on Kartik Krishna Chaturthi in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, when married women observe a waterless fast from before dawn until moonrise for the long life of their husbands. The day begins with sargi, the pre-dawn meal sent by the mother-in-law. In the evening women gather to hear the katha and pass the karva — the clay pot the vrat is named for — in a circle. The fast is broken only after the moon is sighted through a sieve.

Karva Chauth Puja Vidhi

1. 1

   Sargi & Sankalpa

   Eat the sargi before sunrise — traditionally fruit, feni and sweets sent by the mother-in-law — and take the sankalpa of the nirjala fast.

2. 2

   Gauri-Shiva Puja

   In the evening install Maa Gauri, Bhagwan Shiva and Ganesha, and offer sindoor, bangles, flowers and a lit deep.

3. 3

   Katha & Karva Pheri

   Gather with other observers, listen to the Karva Chauth katha, and pass the filled karva around the circle as the tradition prescribes.

4. 4

   Chandra Darshan & Parana

   At moonrise view the moon through a sieve, offer arghya of water, then look at the husband through the same sieve and break the fast with water from his hand.

Karva Chauth Mantra

ॐ गौर्यै नमः॥