Karwa Chauth 2023: Puja Time ( Shubh Muhurat)

Karwa Chauth 2023: Perform your Karwa Chauth worship on November 1, between 5:36 PM and 6:54 PM. The moon will rise at 8:26 PM that day.

It’s the season when love, commitment, and celestial influence come together in the beautiful tradition of Karwa Chauth. I’m excited to delve into the astrology that makes this festival so mesmerizing.

What Is Karwa Chauth?

If you’re not familiar with it, Karwa Chauth is a time-honored festival celebrated by married women in India. These women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the well-being, prosperity, and longevity of their husbands. The term “Karwa” refers to a clay pot with a spout, which symbolizes peace and prosperity, while “Chauth” signifies the fourth day in the dark half of the month of Kartik.

When Is Karwa Chauth This Year?

Circle November 1, 2023, on your calendar, because that’s when Karwa Chauth takes place. The puja muhurat, or the auspicious time for prayers, is between 5:36 PM and 6:54 PM.

The Astrological Importance of Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth occurs during the Krishna Paksha, or waning phase, of the Kartik month. So, what sets this festival apart? Primarily, married women observe it by fasting from sunrise to moonrise. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill fast—it’s a Nirjala Vrat, which means no water gets consumed throughout the day. The event’s highlight is the ‘Solah Shringar’ puja during moonrise. Astrologically speaking, this fast can strengthen the Moon’s position in your birth chart and positively affect your marital life.

The timing and dates of Karwa Chauth serve to honor Goddess Parvati. The common belief holds that a pleased Parvati will bless you with a long and prosperous married life.

Breaking the Fast: Moonrise Times in Various Cities

• Ahmedabad: 08:41 PM
• Bengaluru: 08:40 PM
• Chandigarh: 08:06 PM
• Chennai: 08:29 PM
• Hyderabad: 08:28 PM
• Indore: 08:28 PM
• Jaipur: 08:19 PM
• Jammu: 08:09 PM
• Kolkata: 07:37 PM
• Lucknow: 07:58 PM
• Mumbai: 08:48 PM
• Nagpur: 08:18 PM
• New Delhi: 08:09 PM
• Patna: 07:44 PM
• Surat: 08:44 PM

No matter your location, be ready to break your fast at the correct time!

The Rituals Explained

Let’s dive into the rituals, one step at a time:

1. Early Morning Rise: Women rise before the sun to take a sacred bath.
2. Sankalp: The vow or intention of the fast is set with prayers for the husband’s health and long life.
3. Sargi: Before dawn, a special meal that includes fresh fruits, dry fruits, milk, and unique dishes is eaten.
4. Fasting: From this moment on, not even water is allowed until the moon appears.
5. Dress and Adorn: Women put on new sarees and apply mehndi to their hands.
6. Pooja Preparation: A pooja thali containing essentials like fruits, dry fruits, and sweets is arranged.
7. Worship: Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and their sons Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya receive reverence.
8. Community Gathering: Women either recite the Karwa Chauth Katha at home or join a communal event for it.
9. Moonrise: A lamp made from whole wheat flour gets filled with ghee. Through a sieve, the moon and then the husband are seen.
10. Breaking the Fast: The fast ends by offering water and sweets first to the moon and then to the husband.

Though Karwa Chauth finds its deepest roots in the northern regions of India, the festival has gained widespread popularity elsewhere too. Focused mainly on married women, its essence captures the celebration of one of the most significant relationships in life: marriage. It serves as a reminder of a wife’s enduring love for her husband, as she fasts for his longevity. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Karwa Chauth falls on the fourth day following the full moon in the month of Kartik.

The name ‘Karwa Chauth’ comes from two words: ‘Karwa,’ which means a clay pot, and ‘Chauth,’ meaning the fourth. That’s why the festival is also called Karak Chaturthi, where ‘Karak’ denotes a water-filled clay pot.

The Tale Behind the Vrat

An ancient tale tells the story of a beautiful queen named Veeravati, the only sister to her seven devoted brothers. Following her wedding, she observed her first Karwa Chauth fast, heeding her mother’s advice. Her brothers, pained to see her in discomfort, deceived her into thinking the moon had risen, leading her to break her fast prematurely. Heartbreakingly, she soon heard of her husband’s death. En route to see him, Veeravati met Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Comforted by Parvati, she received guidance to perform the fast once more, but this time with complete devotion. Veeravati followed this advice, and miraculously, her husband awoke from his deep sleep. Since that moment, it’s said that Goddess Parvati blesses all women who sincerely observe this fast with a long and joyful marital life.

Women in Full Regalia

On Karwa Chauth, women fast from dawn until the moon graces the sky. This tradition stems from age-old beliefs and specific astrological insights. As dusk falls, women don vibrant traditional attire like sarees and lehengas. They go all out with their makeup and accessories, a ritual commonly referred to as “Solah Shringar.” Yes, they truly go all out! Some even make a salon visit to ensure they look like brides all over again. And did you know? This day is incredibly meaningful for newly-weds. Their first Karwa Chauth fast is of special significance, especially in astrological terms.

The Circle of Storytelling

Come evening, women assemble with their ‘pooja thalis’ and form a circle. As they immerse themselves in the Karwa Chauth story, celestial bodies above are thought to shower blessings upon the couples. This communal ritual serves as both a social gathering and an astrological event that fills participating families with positive energy.

Moonrise: A Heavenly Signal

Then arrives the moment everyone has been waiting for—the first sight of the moon. Upon spotting it, women first peer at its reflection in a vessel filled with water. Offering ‘arghya’ to the moon has astrological underpinnings; it symbolizes channeling lunar energy into their lives.

The Importance of Sargi

Now, let’s delve into Sargi, the pre-dawn meal prepared by a mother-in-law for her daughter-in-law. This spread typically includes dry fruits, fruits, and sweets. It’s not just a heartfelt gesture but also a nutritional powerhouse designed to sustain the fasting woman throughout the day. Coconut water is a standout ingredient, as it hydrates and supplies vital electrolytes. In astrological terms, this meal is thought to energize the ‘Chandra’ (Moon) element in a woman’s chart.