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Festival Profile

Karva Chauth

Married women fast for their husbands' long life and pray at moonrise.

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Karva Chauth is a festival where married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the long life and well-being of their husbands.

Stories behind the festival

The devotion of Karva

The festival is named after Karva, a devoted wife whose prayers and fasting protected her husband. The story of Veeravati also illustrates the power of the fast, where the moon's intervention saved her husband.
North India regional tradition

The devotion of Karva

The festival is named after Karva, a devoted wife whose prayers and fasting protected her husband. The story of Veeravati also illustrates the power of the fast, where the moon's intervention saved her husband.
North India regional tradition

Why we celebrate

Karva Chauth is a festival where married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the long life and well-being of their husbands.
North India regional tradition

When

Karva Chauth falls on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the dark fortnight of Kartik (October–November).

Since when it is followed

The Karva Chauth fast has been observed for many centuries in northern India; it predates modern documentation.
Regional tradition

Who celebrates / for whom

Married women, especially in northern and western India.

Origin

The origin is the traditional fast of married women for their husbands, rooted in regional customs and stories of devotion.
Regional marital tradition

Key deities

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped; the Moon is honoured at moonrise.

How to celebrate

Women rise before dawn, eat sargi, fast through the day, perform the puja in the evening, and break the fast after seeing the moon through a sieve and after their husband.

Rituals & offerings

Sargi (pre-dawn meal), fasting, evening puja of Shiva-Parvati, and moonrise viewing through a sieve.

Key facts

The fast is broken only after seeing the moon, symbolising the end of the day's penance.
Regional tradition
The fast is broken only after seeing the moon, symbolising the end of the day's penance.
Regional tradition