Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth is the most sacred Nirjala Vrat (waterless fast) observed by married Hindu women for the long life, good health, and prosperity of their husbands. It is celebrated on the Chaturthi (fourth day) of the Krishna Paksha in the Kartik month. On this day, married women fast from sunrise to moonrise without consuming food or water, and break the fast only after offering arghya to the moon and drinking water from their husband's hands. This festival is a beautiful symbol of the unbreakable love and devotion between husband and wife.

Before sunrise, married women receive "Sargi" from their mother-in-law and then observe a strict waterless fast throughout the day. They adorn themselves with the traditional "Solah Shringar" (16 adornments) — wearing red or pink attire, applying henna (mehndi) on their hands, donning bangles, bindi, mangalsutra, and sindoor. In the evening, women gather for collective puja, exchange the sacred karwa (clay pot), and listen to the Karwa Chauth katha. At moonrise, they view the moon through a sieve, then look at their husband's face, and break their fast by drinking water from his hands.

The tradition of Karwa Chauth is extremely ancient. According to one belief, in ancient times when men went to the borders for war, their wives observed this fast for their safe return and longevity. This tradition was particularly prevalent in the soldier families of Punjab and North India. According to a legend connected to the Mahabharata era, Savitri performed this fast to bring her husband Satyavan's life back from Lord Yamraj — the most famous example of this devotion and dedication.

In ancient times, there was a beautiful queen named Veeravati, the only beloved sister of her seven brothers. On her first Karwa Chauth after marriage, she observed the Nirjala Vrat at her parental home. As the day progressed, she became extremely weak from hunger and thirst. Her brothers could not bear to see their sister in such distress.

The brothers devised a trick — they lit a lamp on a peepal tree, placed it behind a sieve, and told her that the moon had risen. Believing it to be the actual moon, Veeravati offered arghya and broke her fast. But the moment she broke her fast incorrectly, news arrived that her husband had died.

Heartbroken Veeravati performed severe penance to Maa Gauri for an entire year. Pleased with her sincere devotion, Maa Gauri appeared and brought her husband back to life. Since then, this vrat is observed strictly with proper rituals, and broken only after actual moonrise. Draupadi too had observed this vrat for the protection of the Pandavas, and Lord Krishna himself explained the importance of this fast to her.

"Sargi" is a unique and emotional tradition of Karwa Chauth. Just before sunrise (around 4-5 AM), the mother-in-law gives her daughter-in-law a special pre-dawn meal — which includes pheni, dry fruits, sweets, fruits, paratha, mathri, and shringar items (cosmetics and adornments). It is a symbol of the mother-in-law's blessings and love for her daughter-in-law. It is believed that consuming Sargi gives the strength to sustain through the day-long Nirjala fast. Women whose mother-in-law is no longer alive can receive Sargi from their elder sister-in-law, elder sister, or any married woman.

On Karwa Chauth, married women adorn themselves with "Solah Shringar" (16 traditional adornments), which are considered symbols of marital bliss. These 16 adornments include — bindi, sindoor, kajal, mehndi, bangles, bichiya (toe rings), payal (anklets), jhumka (earrings), nath (nose ring), mangalsutra, gajra (flower garland), kamarband (waist chain), ring, baajuband (armlet), maang tikka (forehead ornament), and a red or pink bridal attire. It is widely believed that the darker the mehndi colour blooms, the deeper the love of the husband. This shringar not only enhances beauty but is also a blessing for the longevity of the husband.