Karwachauth fast is observed on the chaturthi of Kartik krishna paksha. This fast is observed by married females for the long and prosperous life of their husbands. During this year the festival of Karwa chauth will be celebrated on 20th October 2024. Karwachauth is also known as Karak Chaturthi in many states of India.
The significance of Karwachauth has increased with time, especially in Northern India. Among the modern and educated ladies, when on one side the relevance of other fast got reduced, and the fast of Karachauth have become mode of expressing love for the lovers, fiance or husbands. Now, its not just a fast kept by the married women, but it has become the first Vrat kept by husbands for their wives.
Profits earned by market through Karwachauth is quite clear. But, the fast plays an important role in making married life happy and successful. Because Karwachauth today is, not just a festival of tradition rather a source of sharing of feelings.
Historical Significance of Karwachauth
As per the legend in Mahabharat, Arjun goes to Nilgiri hills to perform penance and on the other hand the Pandavas have to go through various sufferings. Draupadi gets upset seeing all the hardships of Pandavas and requests Lord Krishna to provide her the solution for these trouble.
Lord krishna asks Draupadi to fast on the Kartik krishna paksha to get relief from all the troubles. Draupadi observes the fast as recited by Lord Krishna and as a result gets freedom from all sufferings and troubles going on with the Pandavas.
Sargi
Sargi is an important part of Karwachauth given by mother-in law to their daughter-in-laws in a form of a blessing. Sargi includes various food items like fruits, sweets etc and clothes and is given in the form of good luck and prosperity. Married women eats this sargi before the sun rise. On this day married women wears special clothes, adorn themselves with jewelry, colorful bangles, bindi and vermilion on the forehead and apply design patterns of heena (Mehendi) on both hands.
Rituals For Karwachauth Puja
On the fasting day, the married women take the pledge to observe fast for the longevity of their husbands. A paste made of wheat and grinded rice are used to make the idol of goddess Gauri and Lord Ganesha sitting on her lap. Put the idol of the goddess, along with a water filled urn on a wooden platform. The idol of the goddess is decorated with vermilion and dupatta.
The fasting ritual of Karwa Chauth signifies utmost love and devotion of a wife to her husband. The fast starts before sunrise and ends after seeing moon on the same day. Ladies observe a day long fast without having food or water for the prosperity and longevity of their husbands on this day. They fast for the whole day, and worship again in the evening, after hearing the Karva Chauth saga. The fast is concluded by worshiping moon.