Karwa Chauth is one of the festivals or rituals among many which is celebrated in the north and northeast India. The festival to Celebrate takes place 9 days before Diwali on “Kartik ki Chauth ”, i.e. on the fourth day of the new moon after Dussehra, in the month of Kartik. (October-November).

Karwa Chauth is a very special festival for all married women. On this day women pray for the longevity of their husbands and for their well-being. It is also a festival where the bond between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is further strengthened. The day includes rituals, decorations, pujas, and a lot of glories, which is why it’s important to gather all the basics and essentials from before. Therefore, from here we can understand how important this Karwa Chauth festival is for couples and why we celebrate it.

What is Sargi?

A woman woke up early in the morning and ate something because she had to stay hungry all day. After that she started her day worshiping God. In the evening they all wear “Solah Shringar”, which they received from their mother-in-law as “Karva Chauth Sargi“. According to the ritual, the mother-in-law of the fasting woman gives Karva Chauth Puja Thali to her. It contains all the elements and essential items needed for a puja, along with sweets or dried fruits that the husband has to feed his wife to break her fast.

If there is no mother-in-law at home, then there is Jethani or an older sister or sister-in-law. The main reason for eating Sargi is to maintain energy in the body for the whole day.

Why Do We Celebrate The Festival Of Karwa Chauth?

Karwa Chauth dates back to the ancient history of India when men and women prayed for their safe journey and long life. In northern India, women fast throughout the day after enjoying the delicious pleasure of Sargi – eating at the break of dawn. The fast is broken after the moon worship by offering a bow (water) and filtering the blessings of happiness and love through a sieve. The husband offers the wife the same water to drink along with lighter meals. Ayurveda recommends light meals on Karwa Chauth day as it is the perfect time to detox.

The Ritual Of Karwa Chauth

Married women wake up early at Karwa Chauth to eat and drink. Women hold the whole day, which is spent preparing for the ritual that is observed in the evening. In the evening, neighboring women gather in their best attire for the ritual, some of whom listen to legends and the meaning of fasting. On this day Shiva, Parvati, and their son Kartikeya are honored along with 10 “Karvi” (clay vessels) filled with sweets. The engravings were given to daughters and sisters along with gifts.

The fast is then broken at night after seeing the moon. Usually, the husband gives the first sip of water and the first bite of food. The women also traded ceramics painted with bangles, ribbons, small pieces of cloth, sweets, and more.