Karwa Chauth 2024: Date, rituals, significance, and moonrise timings for this auspicious festival
Karwa Chauth 2024: Karwa Chauth 2024 is approaching, and married and soon-to-be-married Hindu women, particularly in northern India, are preparing for this deeply traditional festival. Known also as Karaka Chaturthi or Karva Chauth, the celebration involves women observing a strict nirjala vrat—a fast without water—from sunrise until moonrise, praying for the longevity and prosperity of their husbands. The fast is only broken after making offerings to the moon, following which women consume food and water.
For those observing Karwa Chauth 2024, here’s a guide to the key details, including the date, significance, rituals, muhurat, and the method to break the fast.
Karwa Chauth 2024 Date and Timings
As per the Purnimanta calendar, Karwa Chauth is observed on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi in the Hindu month of Kartik, celebrated nationwide on the same date. This year, Karwa Chauth will be marked on Sunday, October 20, 2024, according to Drik Panchang. The Chaturthi Tithi begins at 6.46 am on October 20 and ends at 4.16 am on October 21, 2024.
Karwa Chauth Puja Muhurat and Moonrise Time
The auspicious time for the Karwa Chauth puja is between 5.46 pm and 7.02 pm, offering a 1 hour and 16 minutes window for prayers. The moonrise is expected around 7.54 pm, though the exact time may differ slightly across various cities.
Karwa Chauth Fast Rituals
The day of Karwa Chauth begins with a pre-dawn meal called sargi, typically prepared by mothers-in-law for their daughters-in-law. After this, women observe a strict fast, refraining from both food and water. Dressed in traditional attire, they gather in the evening to recite legendary tales like those of Veeravati, Karwa, and Savitri, which symbolise devotion and love. The fast concludes with the sighting of the moon, when husbands offer the first morsel to their wives, symbolically ending the fast.
- With inputs from agencies
