Karwa Chauth 2022: Date, history, significance, vrat katha, all you need to know

[Gurneet Saini]

Karwa Chauth 2022 date, history and significance: Karwa Chauth will be celebrated on October 13 this year. On this day, married Hindu women observe a nirjala fast and pray to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Karwa Mata for the long life of their husbands. Read on to know all the details.

Healthy ways to break the fast

Karwa Chauth 2022: Here are a list of ideas by which you can break your fast in a healthy way, so as to get over laziness, bloating and nausea.

Women should abide by in order to keep the Karwa Chauth vrat, all the while taking care of their health as well.

[neharani]

Karwa Chauth is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated mainly by married women in North India, especially in states like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Himachal Pradesh. It typically falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Kartik, which usually corresponds to October or November in the Gregorian calendar. In 2022, Karwa Chauth was observed on October 15th.

History and Significance: The word "Karwa" means earthen pot, which is symbolic of peace and prosperity, and "Chauth" means the fourth day. The festival has historical and cultural significance and is associated with the well-being, longevity, and prosperity of husbands. Married women observe a day-long fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying for the safety and longevity of their husbands.

Vrat Katha: The festival's rituals often include listening to the Karwa Chauth Katha (narrative). This story typically revolves around the queen Veervati, who is believed to have saved her husband's life by observing a strict fast on Karwa Chauth. The story varies in different regions, but the central theme remains the same – the dedication and love of a wife for her husband and the blessings and protection it brings.

Celebrations: Women begin the day by eating a pre-dawn meal (Sargi), which is typically prepared by the mother-in-law. Throughout the day, they abstain from food and water. The fast is broken after sighting the moon at night. Before breaking the fast, women often perform rituals that involve offering water to the moon and then to their husbands.

Modern Adaptations: While traditionally Karwa Chauth was mainly observed by married women, in modern times, it has become more inclusive, with unmarried women, and sometimes even men, observing the fast for the well-being of their loved ones. The festival has also been commercialized to some extent, with the sale of special Karwa Chauth-themed products and events.

Overall, Karwa Chauth is a festival deeply rooted in tradition, love, and devotion, symbolizing the strong bond between husband and wife in Hindu culture.

[SwatiSood]

Karwa Chauth is a significant Hindu festival celebrated primarily by married women in North India. In 2022, it was observed on Thursday, October 13.

History and Significance: Karwa Chauth is a tradition where married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the long life and well-being of their husbands. The festival's origins are rooted in ancient Hindu mythology and customs. One popular legend is about a queen named Veervati who broke her fast early due to a trick by her brothers, leading to her husband's death. Her devotion and penance brought him back to life.

The word 'Karwa' refers to an earthen pot used in the rituals, and 'Chauth' means the fourth day of the lunar month. It falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Kartik.

Vrat Katha (Fast Story): During the fast, women gather to listen to the Karwa Chauth vrat katha, which narrates the legend of Veervati and emphasizes the power of a wife's love and devotion. This story is believed to strengthen their resolve during the fast.

Rituals:

1. Women wake up before sunrise to eat 'sargi', a pre-dawn meal usually prepared by their mother-in-law.
2. They fast all day without food or water.
3. In the evening, they dress in their finest attire, often in traditional red or maroon.
4. They perform puja (prayer) with the karwa (earthen pot) filled with water.
5. After sighting the moon through a sieve, they offer water to the moon and pray for their husband's longevity.
6. The fast is broken only after this ritual, usually with the husband offering the first morsel of food.