The fast is broken only after moonrise, and the exact moonrise time varies by city and year, so check a local panchang for the precise timing.
Significance of Karva Chauth
'Karva' refers to the earthen pot filled with water used in the puja, and 'Chauth' refers to the Chaturthi tithi. On this day, married women eat sargi before sunrise, observe a waterless fast through the day, and take food and water only after sighting the moon at night.
Puranic legends associate this vow with a devoted wife named Karva, who challenged Yamraj to save her husband from a crocodile. Another popular legend recounts Queen Veervati, who was tricked by her brothers into breaking her fast, but later observed it again with true devotion and revived her husband.
This vow is especially popular in North India, particularly in Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, and includes the worship of Lord Shiva, Maa Parvati, Kartikeya, and Ganesh, along with Chandra Dev.
How Karva Chauth Is Celebrated
In the morning before sunrise, women eat the 'sargi' given by their mother-in-law, a platter of fruits, nuts, and sweets. After this, a waterless fast is observed through the day.
In the evening, women dress in their solah shringar and gather together, listen to the Karva Chauth story, and exchange their karva pot and lamp with one another's thalis.
At night, after moonrise, women first view the moon through a sieve, then view their husband's face through the same sieve, and break the fast by drinking water offered by him.
Karva Chauth Puja Vidhi
Eat the sargi before sunrise and begin the fast. In the evening, dress in the solah shringar, worship Lord Shiva, Maa Parvati, Kartikeya, and Ganesh, and listen to the Karva Chauth story. After moonrise, view the moon and then your husband's face through a sieve, and break the fast with water offered by him.
About Karva Chauth
Karva Chauth is the waterless fast observed by married women on Kartik Krishna Chaturthi, kept for their husband's long life. This page covers the vow's significance, the legends of Karva and Queen Veervati, and the vrat vidhi.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is Karva Chauth observed?
Karva Chauth is observed every year on the Chaturthi tithi of the Kartik Krishna Paksha, usually falling in October–November.
What is Sargi?
Sargi is the platter of fruits, nuts, and sweets given by a mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law before sunrise, ahead of beginning the fast.
Why is the moon viewed through a sieve?
The tradition of viewing the moon and then the husband's face through a sieve is regarded as marking the completion of the vow and an auspicious sign of the husband's long life.
Is Karva Chauth kept only by married women?
Traditionally, this vow is kept by married women, though in modern times some unmarried women also observe it, wishing for a good future husband.