Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth is a significant festival for married women in North India. On this day, women observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise, abstaining from food and water, praying for the longevity and prosperity of their husbands. The word “Karwa” refers to an earthen pot used during rituals, and “Chauth” means the fourth day.

The rituals include applying mehndi (henna), dressing in traditional attire, and gathering with other women for the evening puja. A special prayer ceremony is performed with decorated karwas, where stories of Karwa Chauth are recited. The fast is broken only after sighting the moon at night, when women view the moon and their husbands through a sieve and then drink water given by their husbands. In modern times, the festival has also become a celebration of marital love, with some men choosing to fast alongside their wives.

Karwa Chauth is widely observed in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.