An Enduring Tradition of Devotion, Love, and Modern Evolution
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At its heart is the nirjala vrat, a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise without food or water, undertaken by married women for their husband's longevity and well-being.
(करवा) — A spherical earthen pot with a spout, symbolizing life and prosperity. It's central to the evening rituals, used for offering water to the moon.
(चौथ) — Meaning "fourth," as the festival falls on the fourth day of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Kartik.
A pre-dawn meal from the mother-in-law to provide energy for the day's fast.
From sunrise, a strict fast without food or water is observed throughout the day.
Women gather in festive attire to worship, narrate legends, and sing traditional songs.
The fast is broken after sighting the moon through a sieve, followed by a glimpse of the husband.
Women prayed for the safe return of their soldier husbands from long wars.
The fast coincided with the wheat-sowing season, a prayer for a bountiful harvest.
A way for new brides to form "god-sister" bonds and create social support networks.
From a solemn ritual, Karwa Chauth has transformed into a major commercial event, with spending on fashion, beauty, and gifts skyrocketing.
Films like DDLJ and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham have romanticized the festival, turning it into a glamorous, pan-Indian celebration of love.
The festival is evolving. It's now common for unmarried couples to participate, and a growing number of men fast alongside their wives as a gesture of equality and shared partnership.
The Indian diaspora celebrates worldwide, using technology like video calls to perform rituals and connect with family, keeping the tradition alive across continents.