Karva Chauth is a significant Hindu festival celebrated by married women, particularly in North India, who observe a day-long fast for the longevity and prosperity of their husbands. In 2024, Karva Chauth will be observed on Sunday, October 20th.
Karva Chauth Pooja Timings
- Sargi Time: The pre-dawn meal known as Sargi should be consumed before sunrise, ideally during the Brahma Muhurta. This meal is typically given to women by their mothers-in-law and marks the beginning of the fast.
- Fasting Duration: The fast typically starts around 6:25 AM and lasts until 7:54 PM, when the moon is sighted.
- Pooja Muhurat: The auspicious time for performing the Karva Chauth Puja is between 5:46 PM and 7:02 PM.
- Moonrise: The fast is traditionally broken after offering prayers to the moon, which is expected to rise at 7:54 PM.
Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha: A Tale of Devotion and Sacrifice
Once upon a time, in the city of Indraprasthapur, there lived a Brahmin named Vedsharma, who was married to Leelavati. They were blessed with seven sons and a daughter named Veeravati. As the only sister among seven brothers, Veeravati was cherished by her parents and deeply adored by them.
When Veeravati came of age, she was married to a suitable Brahmin man. After her marriage, during one of her visits to her parental home, Veeravati decided to observe the Karwa Chauth fast for the long life of her husband. She joined her sisters-in-law in this rigorous fast, but as the day progressed, she found herself overwhelmed by hunger and fainted from weakness.
Her brothers, deeply concerned by the sight of their beloved sister in such distress, devised a plan to relieve her suffering. Knowing that Veeravati, a devoted wife, would not break her fast without first sighting the moon, they decided to trick her. One of the brothers climbed a Vat tree, carrying a sieve and a lamp, while the others convinced Veeravati that the moon had risen.
When Veeravati regained consciousness, her brothers led her to the roof, where she saw the lamp behind the sieve, mistaking it for the moon behind the tree’s foliage. Believing the moon had risen, she performed her offerings and broke her fast.
However, as soon as Veeravati began to eat, she was confronted by a series of ominous signs. In her first bite, she found a hair; in the second, she sneezed; and before she could take a third, she received a message summoning her to her in-laws’ house. Upon reaching her husband’s home, she discovered his lifeless body.
Devastated by the sight, Veeravati was inconsolable, blaming herself for mistakenly breaking her fast. Her cries reached the heavens, and Goddess Indrani, the wife of Lord Indra, descended to comfort her.
Veeravati pleaded with Goddess Indrani to explain her fate and begged for her husband’s life to be restored. The goddess revealed that her husband’s untimely death was a consequence of her breaking the fast without first offering Argha (water offering) to the moon. Moved by Veeravati’s remorse, Goddess Indrani advised her to observe the Chauth fast on every fourth day of the waning moon for a year, including the next Karwa Chauth. She assured Veeravati that her devotion would bring her husband back to life.
Following the goddess’s advice, Veeravati faithfully observed the fasts throughout the year. Her prayers were answered on the next Karwa Chauth, and her husband was miraculously revived. The couple was reunited, and Veeravati’s unwavering devotion became a symbol of the power of faith and the sanctity of marital vows.
This story passed down through generations, underscores the significance of Karwa Chauth, highlighting the themes of love, sacrifice, and the deep bond between husband and wife.
These stories are recited during the Pooja, reinforcing the values of love, dedication, and sacrifice that the festival embodies.
Karwa Chauth 2024 USA
Please note that exact timings may vary slightly depending on your specific location in the USA, so it’s advisable to check local listings or consult a Hindu Panchang closer to the date