Why Women Fast From Sunrise To Moonrise During Karwa Chauth

An auspicious festival celebrated by married women in the Hindu culture across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan, Karwa Chauth is named after the Karwa or an earthen pot.

While Karwa Chauth reads like a perfect scene of a celebration from a Dharma movie with its silk sarees, hennaed hands and grand festivities, the puja is a lot more than just a festival. It reaches beyond the bridal-glam visuals. A layered cultural practice with traceable folk tales, historical threads and symbolic astronomy, especially the moon.

The Origin Of Karwa Chauth

But where did the festival of Karwa Chauth come from? The term in itself is derived from two words-Karwa, meaning earthen pot and Chauth, signifying the fourth day. Historically, the festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the month of Kartika as per the Hindu lunisolar calendar. On this day, women practice fasting and pray to God Shiva and Goddess Parvati, which is believed to have originated from ancient times. 

The inception of this festival, according to legends, is often attributed to the tale of Queen Veeravati, according to the traditional Vrat katha. In the legend, Veeravati, in her deep love for her new husband, fasts for his well-being on Karka Chaturthi.

However, concerned about her health and worried about her suffering, her brothers tricked her into thinking that the moon had risen. When she breaks her fast, tragedy follows when her husband disappears. Veeravati then goes on to observe a fast for twelve months, eventually getting her husband back. 

This legend led to the establishment of the ritual, and the emotional punch of this story has been retold in many regional variants. As time passed, this practice spread across different regions, each bringing its own unique twist to the customs and interpretations.

The Rituals Of Karwa Chauth

The day of Karwa Chauth begins with a pre-dawn meal, called ‘Sargi’, which is prepared by the mother-in-law. The meal includes food items that are believed to sustain the woman throughout the day. Women commence their fast after sunrise and abstain from consuming food or water. Women spent the day in prayer, community gatherings and in preparation for the evening rituals.

As the night falls and the moon graces the sky, the women gather to perform the ‘Chandra Darshan’ or moon sighting ceremony. During the ceremony, the fasting women hold a sieve and they view the moon through it. This ritual is believed to symbolise the filtering of negative energies and inviting only positive vibes into their lives. The women pray for their husbands’ health and longevity before the fast is broken by the husbands by offering their wives water and a sweet.

In the Southern part of India, Karwa Chauth is called Atla Tadde, where South Indian women fast from sunrise to moonrise for their husbands’ well-being and the prosperity of their family. Their fasting ritual includes rituals like a morning vow or ‘Sankalp,’ devotion to deities. During Atla Tadde, women prepare offerings like Atlu (rotis or puris) and then break their fast after moonrise by offering prayers to God and eating food.

What Is The Role Of The Moon During Karwa Chauth?

What’s interesting about this festival is that the moon holds a central place in the rituals. Its appearance not only signifies the end of the fast but is also believed to be a celestial witness to the prayers made and vows taken. Astrologically, the position of the moon on Karwa Chauth is also significant because this alignment is believed to enhance the ritual’s potency, which fosters harmony and prosperity in relationships.

While the core rituals have remained consistent, symbolising the marital bond between husband and wife, modern interpretations have emerged. In urban settings, the festival has turned into a social event as women come together to celebrate. What was initially limited to water and something sweet has now translated into the exchange of gifts and grand gestures made by husbands to reciprocate and show their devotion to their wives. In some households, husbands often keep a fast along with their wives to show their affection. Elaborate decorations and community gatherings have added a contemporary touch to the traditional ritual.

Not just that, in several households, women also adorn themselves in extravagant traditional attire, often in shades of red. The application of Sola Shringar or sixteen adornments is part of a woman’s ensemble on Karwa Chauth, and it includes sindoor, bangles and mehendi, adding another layer of the festive spirit to the ritual.

Fashion plays a significant role in these celebrations. Women adorn themselves in traditional attire, often in shades of red, symbolising love and auspiciousness. The application of ‘Solah Shringar’ or sixteen adornments, including sindoor, bangles, and mehendi, adds to the festive spirit, making Karwa Chauth a blend of devotion and style.