Karwa chauth is celebrated along with various customs and rituals. The traditional Indian calendar is one long possession of colorful festivals, a colorful mosaic of festivals, fairs and fasts as diverse as the land itself. The festival and fast of Karva Chauth is celebrated with much exuberance and devotion. It is considered an important and auspicious day for married women.
A married woman celebrates this day with great fervor and dedication, by observing a fast and praying for the long life of her husband. The fast is observed during the month of Kartik on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (descending moon). This generally falls in the month of November and has a long list of customs associated with it.
Karwa Chauth Traditions
Karva Chauth is celebrated on the chaturthi tithi after the full Moon in the month of kartik as per the Hindu calendar. Karwa means clay pot and chauth means fourth night after the full moon. It has great social and cultural significance and is mostly practiced in northern India. Karwa chauth traditions are really heart-warming to watch.Married women start their fast at night just after the appearance of the moon, within sight of their husbands.
They then wait until the next night's moon to begin the fast breaking ceremonies, without consuming any food or drink. In the evening women dress in their best clothing, and adorn themselves with jewellery and henna. On sighting the moon, they look and offer prayers and worship to it, and then receive their first bite of food and water from their husbands. Thereafter, women consume their special meal prepared for the occasion. Worshipping the moon involves filling up the karwa with specially prepared food and jewellery and offering it to the god. Karwas are also exchanged with other women after that. Further practices involve telling and listening to stories regarding origin of Karwa Chauth.