Karva Chauth is the amalgamation of two different words. ‘Karva’ means ‘Diya’ or an oil-lamp made of clay, Chauth means four in Hindi. Celebrated on the fourth day in the month of Kartik as per the Hindu Calendar. It is widely celebrated in the northern part of India. This festival celebrates the auspicious bond of love and togetherness between a husband and wife. Married Hindu and Sikh women celebrate it to pray for their husbands’ longevity and wellness.
The Karva Chauth fast rules must be strictly followed. Listed below are Karva Chauth fast rules that must be followed by anyone who is keeping the fast:
Karva Chauth Fast Rules: What You Need to Know
Observing Karva Chauth requires strict adherence to certain rules and traditions. Here are the essential rules to ensure your fast is followed correctly:
1. Personal Appearance and Preparation
-
Women should avoid household chores on Karva Chauth. The focus is on spirituality and devotion.
-
Women dress up for the occasion, often wearing bright colors like orange, red, or golden. Black or white-colored clothes should be avoided, as they are considered inauspicious.
-
Henna (Mehndi) is applied on the hands to signify the celebration and marital bond.
2. Avoiding Specific Tasks
-
Women should refrain from weaving, stitching, or using sharp objects like scissors, needles, or knives on this day.
3. Food Restrictions
-
Onion and garlic are not to be consumed throughout the day.
-
Women do not eat or drink anything before the fast is broken. The fast is broken only after sighting the moon at night.
4. Politeness and Respect
-
Maintain politeness towards everyone, especially elders. The atmosphere should be filled with love and respect.
-
Any conflicts or arguments should be avoided.
5. Avoid Offering Certain Foods
-
Halwa should not be offered during the evening puja.
-
White-colored items like milk, curd, and rice should not be donated on Karva Chauth, as they are believed to bring negativity.
The above-given steps explain how to keep Karva Chauth fast. Women are not allowed to have even a morsel of food or a drop of water after this meal. The fast can only be broken after seeing the moon at night. Now we will talk about how to break Karva Chauth fast. Women need to know how to break Karva Chauth fast. Otherwise, the entire process of fasting might deem to be useless. Below it is discussed how to break Karva Chauth fast.
Karva Chauth Fasting Procedure (Vrat Vidhi)
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you perform the Karva Chauth fast traditionally:
Step 1: Sargi – Early Morning Ritual
-
Wake Up Early: Women should wake up before sunrise to begin the day with purity and devotion.
-
Take a Bath: Cleanse yourself with a bath to purify your body and mind.
-
Sargi: The mother-in-law prepares the Sargi, which consists of coconut, mathri, milk, fruits, sweets, and tea/coffee. It is offered to the daughter-in-law for the fast.
-
Sargi Blessings: The daughter-in-law offers prayers and touches seven items before consuming the Sargi.
Step 2: Prepare for the Pooja (Puja)
-
Puja Thali Preparation: Prepare your puja thali with essentials such as a Diya, mathri, water, fruits, and prasad.
-
Install the Idol of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Parvati: Place the idol or image of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Parvati on a pedestal. Decorate it with green grass (Dhruva) and flowers.
Step 3: Evening Puja
-
Light Incense and Diyas: Light incense and diyas to purify the environment and invite positive energy.
-
Recite Karva Chauth Katha: Chant the Karva Chauth vrat katha, which narrates the significance of the fast and the story of the goddess.
-
Mantras: Recite the following mantras:
-
Sankashtnashana sthothra
-
Ganesha Ashtothra
-
Vakrathunda Mahakaya
Step 4: Moon Sighting (Chandra Darshan)
-
Wait for the Moon: Once the moon is visible, perform the moon sighting ritual. Traditionally, the moon is sighted through a sieve (channi).
-
Prayers: After sighting the moon, women offer prayers to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Parvati for the well-being and longevity of their husbands.
Step 5: Breaking the Fast
-
Karva Chauth Thali: After the moon sighting, prepare the Karva Chauth thali. The thali should have a clay diya (lamp) made from wheat flour, and a mathri placed along with water.
-
Break the Fast: Stand on a wooden plank or stick while offering the diya and water towards the moon. Once done, see your husband through the sieve and offer your prayers for his long life.
-
Husband’s Blessings: Your husband then offers water and mathri to you to break the fast. After this, elder family members are given their share of the Baya (gift from the mother).
-
Feast Time: Finally, after performing all rituals, you can have a hearty meal.
The festival tests the self-determination and patience of the wife. The wife sacrifices so much for the husband on this day. Husbands should make sure his wife feels loved. Visit https://www.mypoojabox.in/collections/karwa-chauth to find everything you’d need to celebrate your perfect Karva Chauth. They have thalis, puja boxes, gifts, and a lot more to make your Karwa Chauth special.
