Karwa Chauth 2024, a highly cherished festival for married women in India, will be observed on Sunday, October 20, 2024. It falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi in the Kartik month as per the Purnimant calendar, and in Ashwin according to the Amanta calendar, which is followed in regions like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and southern India.
Despite these regional variations in month names, Karwa Chauth is celebrated on the same date throughout the country.
Karwa Chauth 2024
India is a land rich in festivals and religious traditions, and Karwa Chauth, also known as Karaka Chaturthi, is one of the most significant celebrations for Hindu women in Northern and Western India. This festival is dedicated to praying for the long life, safety, and good health of husbands or future partners.
Karwa Chauth follows the lunisolar calendar and takes place on the fourth day (Chaturthi Tithi) after the full moon in the month of Kartik. This year, it will be celebrated on October 20.
The day is also referred to as Karak Chaturthi. The term “Karwa” or “Karak” represents the earthen pot used to offer water, known as Argha, to the moon. This pot holds great significance during the Puja rituals and is often given as a Dan (offering) to Brahmins or other eligible women.
On Karwa Chauth, married women worship Lord Shiva and His family, including Lord Ganesha, and they break their fast only after sighting and making offerings to the moon. The fast is strictly observed, with no food or water consumed from sunrise until the moon is visible at night.
Additionally, this festival aligns with the wheat-sowing season (Rabi crop planting). The large earthen pots used to store wheat are sometimes called karvas, suggesting that the fast may have originated as a prayer for a bountiful harvest in this predominantly wheat-eating region of Northwestern India.
Karwa Chauth 2024 Date and Timing
Check the table below for the important timings for Karwa Chauth 2024. This will help you keep track of the key events associated with the festival.
| Karwa Chauth 2024 Date and Timing | |
|---|---|
| Event | Day/Date |
| Karwa Chauth Puja Muhurat Duration | 05:46 PM to 07:03 PM (1 Hour 16 Mins) |
| Karwa Chauth Upavasa Time Duration | 06:27 AM to 07:53 PM (13 Hours 26 Mins) |
| Krishna Dashami Moonrise | 07:53 PM on Karwa Chauth Day |
| Chaturthi Tithi Begins | 06:46 AM on Oct 20, 2024 |
| Chaturthi Tithi Ends | 04:16 AM on Oct 21, 2024 |
On Karwa Chauth, the moon sighting is a crucial event, marking the end of the fast. Women eagerly await the moonrise to make their offerings and break their day-long fast. The exact timing for moon sighting can vary by location, so it’s important to check local timings as the date approaches.
Traditionally, the moon is sighted between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM in most regions. During this time, women gather with earthen pots, known as Karwa, to perform the ritual of offering water to the moon. This act symbolizes their devotion and signifies the conclusion of their fast.
Karwa Chauth 2024 Significance
The primary purpose of Karwa Chauth is for married women to observe a strict fast for the well-being and long life of their husbands. This festival embodies devotion and love, as women fast from sunrise until the moon is sighted at night, abstaining from food and water throughout the day. While particularly significant in northern India, the importance of this fast is appreciated in other regions as well.
Karwa Chauth also coincides with Sankashti Chaturthi, a day dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The fasting rituals involve worshiping Lord Shiva and his family, especially Parvati, Kartikeya, and Ganesha. During this time, married women pray for their husbands’ long life and prosperity. The fast is only broken after they make an offering to the moon, known as Argha.
Karwa Chauth 2024 Rituals
Karwa Chauth, also known as Karak Chaturthi, derives its name from the earthen pot, or Karwa, used in the rituals. The Karwa plays a vital role during the puja, as it is filled with water and offered to the moon. Once the moon rituals are performed, women typically break their fast with a sip of water and a sweet treat, often given by their husbands as a symbol of love and care.
This day, filled with prayers and hope, brings families together for special meals and celebrations after the fast is broken. The festival highlights the deep bond between married couples, emphasizing love, sacrifice, and devotion.
Karwa Chauth is not just a day of fasting; it signifies love, sacrifice, and a profound spiritual connection. The moon, representing hope and blessings, is central to the day’s rituals. For those observing the fast on October 20, 2024, the sighting of the moon will mark the culmination of their devotion and prayers for their husbands’ long life.
As you prepare for this year’s Karwa Chauth, take a moment to reflect on the significance of the rituals and the bond they represent. Through fasting, prayers, and traditional celebrations, Karwa Chauth serves as a beautiful reminder of love’s strength and endurance.
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Karwa Chauth 2024 FAQs
Q.1. What is the significance of Karwa Chauth 2024?
Ans. Karwa Chauth is a festival where married women fast for the long life, health, and safety of their husbands, reflecting love and devotion.
Q.2. When is Karwa Chauth 2024?
Ans. Karwa Chauth 2024 will be observed on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Q.3. What are the key rituals of Karwa Chauth?
Ans. Key rituals include fasting from sunrise to moonrise, performing puja with an earthen pot (Karwa), and making offerings to the moon.
Q.4. What is the duration of the fast on Karwa Chauth?
Ans. The fast typically lasts from sunrise until the moon is sighted, which can be around 13-14 hours, depending on the local moonrise time.
Q.5. What do women eat after breaking their fast?
Ans. Women usually break their fast with a sip of water and a sweet treat, often given by their husbands, symbolizing love and care.
