Karwachauth Puja
Karwa Chauth Puja is a cherished Hindu ritual observed by married women, primarily in North India, as a symbol of love, devotion, and prayers for the long life and well-being of their husbands. Celebrated on the fourth day after the full moon in the month of Kartik, women observe a day-long fast from sunrise to moonrise, abstaining from food and water, and engage in traditional rituals to strengthen the marital bond.
The puja is performed in the evening before moonrise. Women gather in groups, dressed in festive attire, often in red or traditional sarees, adorned with jewelry and henna. A beautifully decorated karwa (clay pot) is used during the ritual, along with a thali containing sindoor, incense, sweets, and a diya. The Karwa Chauth Katha (story) is narrated, and special prayers are offered to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva for a harmonious married life. Once the moon is sighted, women offer water and prayers to the moon and then break their fast with their husbands.
Karwa Chauth Puja is a deeply emotional and spiritual celebration of love, sacrifice, and commitment, bringing blessings of longevity, prosperity, and togetherness in married life.