Karwa Chauth is not just a festival — it’s a celebration of love, patience, and devotion. For many married women in India, it’s a day to honor their husbands, pray for their long life, and strengthen the bond of marriage. The festival has deep cultural roots, emotional significance, and some really beautiful rituals that make it one of the most special days of the year.
If you’re planning to observe Karwa Chauth 2025, this guide will help you understand everything — from the date and significance to Sargi, puja rituals, breaking the fast, and even preparing your puja thali.
When is Karwa Chauth 2025?
This year, Karwa Chauth falls on Friday, October 10, 2025. The fast begins early in the morning with Sargi, a pre-dawn meal given by the mother-in-law, and continues until the moonrise in the evening.
Here’s the timing breakdown:
- Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 06:10 PM on October 9
- Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 06:30 PM on October 10
- Puja Muhurat: 05:45 PM to 06:45 PM (approx.)
- Moonrise Time: Around 07:00 PM
💡 Pro Tip: Check your local panchang for exact moonrise timing. It can slightly vary depending on your city.
Why Karwa Chauth is Special
Karwa Chauth is more than fasting — it’s a festival of love and devotion. Married women dedicate the day to praying for their husband’s health, happiness, and longevity. Traditionally, it’s also a day for women to bond — sharing stories, helping each other with rituals, and enjoying a sense of community.
The festival is rooted in the story of Queen Veeravati, whose devotion to her husband inspired generations. Today, the essence of Karwa Chauth remains the same: love, patience, and spiritual faith.
The Morning Ritual: Sargi
The day begins with Sargi, a thoughtful pre-dawn meal prepared by the mother-in-law. It’s not just food — it’s a blessing, a gesture of love, and a tradition that connects generations.
Typical Sargi items:
- Fresh fruits (banana, apple, pomegranate)
- Dry fruits (almonds, cashews, dates)
- Traditional sweets (ladoo, barfi)
- Vermicelli kheer or halwa
- Mathri or paratha
- Milk or fresh juice
After Sargi, women officially begin the nirjala fast, abstaining from both food and water.
💡 Pro Tip: Eat something nutritious but light — oily or heavy foods may cause discomfort during the day-long fast.
🌞 Daytime Rituals and Activities
Even though the fast can feel long, women spend the day in devotional and social activities, which makes the time meaningful:
- Listening to Karwa Chauth Katha: The story of Queen Veeravati is recited, highlighting devotion, love, and the importance of faith.
- Applying Mehndi: Decorating hands and feet with henna is considered auspicious and adds a festive charm.
- Decorating the Puja Thali: Women gather to prepare their puja thalis with flowers, diyas, roli, chawal, and sweets.
- Thali Exchange (Baya): Exchanging decorated thalis with friends and relatives is a gesture of bonding and shared joy.
- Dressing Up: Bright sarees, lehengas, jewelry, and sindoor enhance the festive spirit and make the day feel special.
Preparing Your Puja Thali
The puja thali is the centerpiece of Karwa Chauth rituals. Every item has its significance.
Essential items include:
- Karwa (Earthen Pot): Represents purity and water element
- Diya (Lamp): Symbol of light and positive energy
- Chalni (Sieve): Used to view the moon and husband
- Roli and Chawal: For tilak and offerings
- Sindoor (Vermilion): Symbol of marital bond
- Flowers & Dhoop: Purity and fragrance
- Sweets and Fruits: Offerings to Goddess Parvati
- Coins / Dakshina: Represent blessings and gratitude
💡 Pro Tip: Decorate your thali with mirrors, beads, or rangoli for a vibrant and festive look.
Step-by-Step Karwa Chauth Puja Vidhi
Here’s a detailed guide for the evening rituals:
Step 1: Set up your Puja space
Spread a clean red cloth and place idols or pictures of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, and Lord Ganesha. Light a diya.
Step 2: Offer prayers
Place flowers, roli, chawal, coins, and sweets while chanting mantras for your husband’s health and prosperity.
Step 3: Listen to Katha
Recite or listen to the story of Queen Veeravati. Her devotion and patience are central to the festival’s spiritual significance.
Step 4: Perform the Karwa Ritual
Pass the Karwa seven times while chanting:
“Om Namah Shivaya”
“Om Parvatyai Namah”
Step 5: Seek Blessings
After the puja, touch elders’ feet and receive their blessings.
Breaking the Fast (Moonrise Ritual)
The most emotional moment of the day is when the fast is broken after moonrise:
1. Wait for the moon to appear.
2. Offer Arghya (water) to the moon while chanting:
“Om Chandraya Namah”
3. View the moon through the sieve, then look at your husband.
4. Your husband offers the first sip of water and a bite of sweet.
5. Celebrate with a light dinner including puri, kheer, paneer curry, and traditional sweets.
💡 This ritual symbolizes love, patience, and gratitude in marriage.
Outfit, Mehndi, and Beauty Tips
- Outfits: Red, maroon, or pink sarees/lehenga.
- Jewelry: Gold, kundan, mangalsutra, and bangles.
- Mehndi Designs: Floral patterns, mandalas, or your husband’s initials hidden in the design.
Tip: Apply mehndi a day before for a deep color. Moisturize hands with coconut oil to enhance the stain.
Do’s and Don’ts of Karwa Chauth
Do’s:
- Eat Sargi before sunrise
- Dress in vibrant colors
- Read or listen to Katha
- Seek blessings from elders
Don’ts:
- Avoid food and water until moonrise
- Don’t sleep during puja
- Avoid arguments
- Avoid black and white clothing
Karwa Chauth Katha (Story of Queen Veeravati)
Queen Veeravati, a devoted wife, observed the fast to ensure her husband’s long life. She fainted due to hunger, and her brothers tricked her into breaking the fast early. Her husband fell ill, and only after she completed the fast with faith and devotion did he recover. The story emphasizes faith, love, patience, and devotion.
FAQs ( Frequently Asked Questions )
1. What is Karwa Chauth?
Karwa Chauth is a Hindu festival where married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for their husband’s long life, health, and prosperity. It celebrates devotion, love, and marital bonding. Women also pray to Goddess Parvati, seeking blessings for happiness and harmony in their married life.
2. Can unmarried women observe Karwa Chauth?
Yes, unmarried women and engaged women can observe Karwa Chauth. They fast to pray for a loving life partner or to ensure the well-being of their future husband. Observing the fast with devotion is believed to attract positive energy and strengthen relationships.
3. What if the moon is not visible?
If the moon is hidden due to clouds, women can see its reflection in water, a bowl, or mirror. Alternatively, they can follow the moonrise timing from the panchang. The key is faith and intention; the rituals can still be completed sincerely.
4. What should be eaten in Sargi?
Sargi should include fruits, dry fruits, sweets, milk, vermicelli kheer, and light snacks like mathri or paratha. Avoid oily and spicy foods. The aim is to have a nutritious meal that sustains energy throughout the day while remaining light on the stomach.
5. What if I feel weak during the fast?
If dizziness or weakness occurs, you may take water or light food. Health should be prioritized. The puja and prayers can still be performed with devotion. The essence of Karwa Chauth lies in love and faith, not extreme fasting.
6. Can water be consumed during Karwa Chauth?
Traditionally, the fast is nirjala (without water), but women with health conditions may take sips of water after consulting elders. Devotion, faith, and intention matter more than strict fasting.
Conclusion
Karwa Chauth 2025 is a celebration of love, devotion, and marital harmony. From Sargi to moonrise rituals, every moment is an opportunity to strengthen relationships and experience the joy of traditions. Celebrate with devotion, joy, and gratitude, and make the festival memorable for yourself and your loved ones.
WaykUp wishes you a blessed Karwa Chauth 2025!
May this festival bring love, prosperity, and happiness to your home.
