Karwa Chauth 2023 • Moon Time, Puja - Tithi Timings & Rituals

Karwa Chauth (Hindi: करवा चौथ, Gujarati: કરવા ચોથ) or Karva Chauth is a very grand festival observed by married Hindu women. This is a one-day festival in which the female folks observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise for the longevity and safety of their husbands.

Karwa Chauth is observed on Chaturthi tithi, that is the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the month of Kartik as per the purnimanta Hindu calendar. According to the Amanta calendar followed in the Maharashtra, Gujarat and Southern India, Karwa Chauth is observed during the ‘Ashwin’ month.

Karwa Chauth 2023 is on November 01, Wednesday

Chaturthi tithi timing - Oct 31, 9:30 pm to Nov 01, 9:19 pm
Karwa Chauth Moon Time: November 01, 8:36 pm

Karwa Chauth 2023 Puja Muhurat, Moon Timings

Read More: Learn About Beautiful Karwa Chauth Rituals for Every Indian Woman

Karwa Chauth is also referred as ‘Karak Chaturthi’ in some places. ‘Karva’ or ‘karak’ in Hindi means ‘a pot’ while ‘chauth’ implies ‘fourth day’. Earthen pot is then used to make water offerings to the moon on the fourth day after the full moon, during the Kartik month. The karwa also called as ‘Argha’ is considered very auspicious and given away to an eligible woman in the family or to Brahmin as ‘Dan’ after the puja.

The festival of Karwa Chauth is celebrated with immense fervour and zeal all over India. In the northern states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh the festivities are observed on a grandeur scale. Karwa Chauth is celebrated as ‘Chhath’ in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The festival of Karva Chauth also coincides with a one-day festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, known as Sankashti Chaturthi.

Rituals of the Karva Chauth Vrat:

The main aspect of the Karwa Chauth vrat is the fast from dawn to dusk observed by both married and unmarried women. The women observe this fast without eating or drinking anything till the time they see the moon. The Karwa Chauth vrat is unique in a way that nowhere in the world, married women observe this strict fast for the welfare of their husbands.

The tradition of applying mehendi or henna is an integral part of Karwa Chauth. In the Hindu culture, mehendi is symbolic of good fortune for married women. On the day of Karwa Chauth women apply mehendi on the hands and feet. It is a belief that if the color of the mehendi is dark it is indicative that the lady will get plenty of care and love from her husband. Henna artists apply intricate and fascinating designs. For the Hindu married women, mehendi does not only color their hands, it also fills their life with ecstasy and joy.

On the occasion of Karwa Chauth, married women receive beautiful and expensive gifts from their husbands and in-laws. The gifts can be anything from bangles, jewelry, henna, lehenga choli, sarees and other traditional gifts. The custom of gifting to their wives is an expression of love and strengthens the bond of love between man and wife. Women feel very satisfied and love after receiving gifts from their loved ones.

On the auspicious day of Karwa Chauth, women get up before sunrise and eat the food that is especially prepared, known as ‘sargi’. After this they are not allowed to drink even a drop of water. In the evening, all the women observing the Karwa Chauth vrat dress up beautifully in their bridal jewelry. Newlywed brides even adorn their bridal costume. On this day, Lord Shiva is worshipped along with Goddess Parvati and their son ‘Kartikeya’. Women collectively listen to the Karva Chauth vrat katha.

The fast is broken after moonrise. Every woman holds a sieve and first looks towards her husband and then at the moon. Following this, they perform an aarti of their respective husbands and take their blessings. As a part of the ritual, the husbands give their wives, the first sip of water and a bite of food. After this all the women observing the Karva Chauth vrat take the blessings of the elders in their family. The Karva used for ‘argh’ to moon is then given to an elderly lady or even to a Brahmin as ‘dan’. All the women of the household then collectively gather and together enjoy the scrumptious spread of food prepared.

In India, Karwa Chauth holds immense significance for the married Hindu women. Observing this festival ensures longevity, well-being and prosperity of their husbands. With rapid commercialisation the celebrations of Karwa Chauth vrat is getting grandeur with every passing day.

The occasion of Karwa Chauth marks the beginning of the feasting and the festivity that is experienced during Diwali, the grand Hindu festival that comes after nine days. With so much fun, frolic and extravaganza involved the fasting is not the same as before!