Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth) in India ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth) in India and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Karaka Chaturthi, also known as Karva Chauth, is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by married women in India. It falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the month of Kartik and is observed in the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana. On this day, women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and long life of their husbands.
The festival has its origins in ancient times when there was a practice of women fasting for the health of their husbands who were often away at war. Over time, the festival has become a celebration of the marital bond between husband and wife. On Karva Chauth, women dress up in their finery and apply mehndi (henna) patterns on their hands and feet. The day begins with a puja (prayer) in which married women seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati for their husbands’ well-being.
After the puja, women begin their fast, which entails refraining from food and water from sunrise to moonrise. During the fast, women also refrain from household chores and sleep. In the evening, they gather together to perform the puja again and break their fast with water and food offered by their husbands. The festival ends with feasting and merrymaking, and is considered to be an auspicious occasion for couples to reaffirm their love for each other.