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Himachal Pradesh

Fairs and Festivals

Festivals


Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth is celebrated on the fourth day of the month of Kartika. The term ''Karva'' implies an earthen pot of water and the word ''chauth'' means fourth, signifying that Karva Chauth falls on the fourth day after Poornima (full moon), in the month of Kartik, according to the Hindu calendar. On this day, women pray for the long life of their husbands by not eating or drinking anything and offering prayers to Lord Shiva. They break their fast after making various offerings, and sighting the moon, which is also one of the most important celestial bodies as per Hindu mythology.

Women, mostly married women commence the day with a small early morning prayer, usually followed by 'Sargi', a festive breakfast consisting of Jalebis, milk and Fenis etc. It is actually a pre-dawn traditional meal, a thali, or an assortment of different food items that married women receive from their mother-in-law on the day of Karva Chauth. The sargi  thali or platter typically consists of seven, nine, or 11 types of bite-sized food items, probably to provide ample energy for women to sustain themselves without food and water throughout the day.

Food Item Ideas For A Sargi Thali

After this, they observe a fast till the fourth day's moon becomes visible in the skies. During the fast, they do not drink water. When the moon rises, the women offer Puja to it.


They offer water to the moon sixteen times, and pray for a long life for their husbands. A little painted clay pot (Auli) is filled with rice and other things and offered to the mother-in-law. Unmarried girls too observe a fast on this day so that they may get a good husband.

Karwa Chauth is a celebration of love, marriage and the unbreakable bond shared between a husband and wife.

Updated on : 25/10/2021