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Discover everything you need to know about Karwa Chauth 2023, including the date, history, significance, vrat katha, shubh muhurat, and celebrations.
Married Hindu women are preparing to celebrate the upcoming auspicious Karwa Chauth holiday with great fervor. Known also as Karaka Chaturthi or Karva Chauth, it is a widely observed holiday in northern regions of India. During this event, married women do a strenuous nirjala vrat, fasting from sunrise to moonrise, in hopes of ensuring their husbands’ long lives and prosperity. Women sacrifice Arghya to the Moon using a clay vessel called a Karva, and only then can they eat or drink.
Although married and soon-to-be married women have historically kept the fast, husbands and single couples have also begun to observe the fasts for their partners in recent years. If you are participating in the Karwa Chauth holiday this year, you should be aware of the festival’s date, history, significance, muhurat, vrat katha, and festivities.
Date of Karwa Chauth 2023: Shubh Muhurat Karva Chauth
In the Hindu month of Kartik, Karwa Chauth is observed on Chaturthi Tithi of Krishna Paksha. It falls on Sunday, November 1st this year. The Karwa Chauth puja muhurat is from 5:36 to 6:54 p.m., according to Drik Panchang. Moonrise occurs at 8:15 p.m., while the vrat is from 6:33 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.Meanwhile, The Chaturthi tithi is scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. on October 31 and terminate at 9:19 p.m. on November 1.
History, Vrat Katha, and Significance of Karwa Chauth 2023
Hindu legend states that during Karwa Chauth, a queen by the name of Veeravati paid a visit to her brothers. With the passing of time, Veeravati began to feel a little lightheaded and awaited the moment when she would finally see the Moon. Veeravati’s brothers saw her suffering and used a moon-like item to deceive her into breaking the vrat. When she saw what appeared to be the Moon, she broke her fast. Unfortunately, she received the news of her husband’s passing right away. Veeravati, who had discovered the method, vowed to pray to the gods and observe the fast with utmost devotion each month. Her perseverance eventually paid off, as her spouse returned at the conclusion.
The festival’s origins can be linked to Karva Devi, whose husband was attacked by a crocodile, and Savitri, who prayed to Lord Yama, the deity of death, for their spouse’s spirit to return. According to a different narrative, Draupadi became concerned when Arjun traveled to the Nilgiris to meditate and urged Lord Krishna to intervene to make sure he was safe. As Goddess Parvati fasted for her husband, Lord Shiva, Krishna counseled her to fast for Arjun.
The celebration of Karwa Chauth is based on the idea that it is an emulation of Goddess Parvati, who fasted in order to marry Lord Shiva. Married women observe the vrat in order to secure their husbands’ long life and a strong marriage. The family benefits from luck and riches as well from the fast. Women pray to Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, and Karwa Mata in addition to Goddess Parvati.
The 2023 Karwa Chauth Celebrations
All around the nation, but particularly in the northern regions of Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan, people celebrate Karwa Chauth. Chauth signifies the fourth day, whereas Karwa refers to earthen pots. Married women purchase new earthen pots to adorn with beautiful patterns and fill with candies and bangles during this holiday. Along with dressing up like a newlywed bride, they also do solah sringar (such as sindoor, bangles, bindi, etc.), wear brand-new traditional red clothing, and apply mehendi or henna to their hands.
Women fast for the entire day on this day, take a bath, have Sargi before sunrise, and get up early. They only break their fast after gazing at the Moon, presenting an earthen pot filled with ‘arghya’ to it, and tasting food and drink from their husbands’ hands.