Sun Oct 20 16:02:24 UTC 2024: **Karwa Chauth 2024 Summary:**
– **Festival Significance**: Karwa Chauth is an annual fasting ritual observed by married women for the longevity and well-being of their husbands. It occurs on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase) in the month of Kartik.
– **Fasting Details**: Women keep a Nirjala (no water) fast and await the moon sighting during the night. The fast concludes after they offer water to their husbands.
– **Date & Timing**: This year, Karwa Chauth will be observed on October 20, 2024, from 6:46 AM to 4:16 AM on October 21. The auspicious time for the evening prayers is between 5:45 PM and 7:01 PM.
– **Moonrise**: The moon is expected to rise at 7:53 PM, with slight variations across different regions. In Delhi-NCR, it will rise at 8:15 PM.
– **Rituals & Offerings**: Women perform rituals after bath, dedicate prayers to Goddess Gauri and Lord Ganesh, and offer various items like fruits, sweets, and flowers.
– **Post-Fasting Procedure**: After the moon sighting, women should see their husband’s face through a sieve before breaking the fast with water offered by him.
– **Dos and Don’ts**: It is advised not to wear or buy white clothes on this day; bright colors like red, yellow, and green are preferred. Sharp objects should not be purchased or used.
– **Sargi**: The pre-dawn meal (sargi) is given by mothers-in-law to their daughters-in-law, containing sweets, fruits, and items for fasting. It should be consumed before dawn and oil-rich foods should be avoided during this time.
This festival emphasizes the importance of marital bonds and involves various cultural rituals aimed at prosperity and happiness in marriage.
First Piper 