When Is Karva Chauth 2023?

Karva Chauth 2023: Wed, Nov 1, 2023

Karva Chauth is an important festival in Hindu culture that is celebrated by married women in North India. This festival falls on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Kartik and is observed by women who fast from sunrise to moonrise for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. The fast is broken only after sighting the moon and performing certain rituals, which vary across different regions.

As we approach 2023, many Hindus are curious about the date of Karva Chauth in that year. It is worth noting that the date of Karva Chauth varies each year as it follows the Hindu lunar calendar, rather than the Gregorian calendar commonly used in Western countries. In this article, we will discuss the significance of Karva Chauth in Hindu culture, provide information on when Karva Chauth 2023 will be celebrated, and explore some traditions and rituals associated with this auspicious occasion.

The Significance of Karva Chauth in Hindu Culture

The observance of Karva Chauth in Hindu culture is a symbolic representation of the deep devotion and loyalty between married couples, akin to the unbreakable bond between a bird and its nest. The festival has significant religious and cultural importance, with fasting traditions being an integral part of it. Married women fast from sunrise to moonrise without food or water, praying for the longevity and well-being of their husbands.

The love story legend associated with Karva Chauth narrates the story of Queen Veervati, who was devoted to her husband's well-being. Once while observing Karva Chauth, she passed out from hunger and thirst while waiting for the moonrise. Upon seeing this, Lord Shiva appeared before her and gave her food and water that would keep her fasting throughout the day. From then on, all married women followed this tradition.

Karva Chauth is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India with women decked up in traditional attire adorning beautiful henna designs on their hands. It also serves as a reminder of moral values such as commitment, selflessness, love, sacrifice, and devotion towards one's spouse.

The Date of Karva Chauth 2023

In 2023, Karva Chauth, the annual fasting festival celebrated by Hindu women will occur on October 24. This auspicious day is observed on the fourth day after the full moon in the month of Kartik according to the Hindu calendar. The festival is primarily observed in Northern and Western parts of India.

Celebration preparations for Karva Chauth typically begin a few days before the actual festival date. Women dress up in traditional attire, adorn themselves with jewelry and apply intricate henna designs on their hands. They also purchase special karvas (earthen pots) that are used during the puja (worship) ceremony later in the evening. Married women observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise without any food or water while unmarried girls can consume fruits and milk.

While Karva Chauth is predominantly celebrated by Hindus living in North India, there are variations in regional practices across India. In some regions like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, married women break their fast by looking at their husband's reflection through a sieve while others perform an arati (a prayer ritual) for their husbands after breaking their fasts. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, it is customary for mothers-in-law to present sargi (pre-dawn meal) to her daughter-in-law before she begins her day-long fast as a symbol of love and respect towards her new family member. Despite these differences, Karva Chauth remains an important cultural celebration that reinforces familial bonds among Indian households every year.

Preparing for Karva Chauth: Traditions and Rituals

Preparing for the annual fasting festival celebrated by Hindu women involves various traditional practices and rituals that reinforce familial bonds in Indian households. Karva Chauth is a significant event where married women undertake a day-long fast to pray for their husband's longevity and safety. The fast is broken only after sighting the moon, which marks the end of the day's ritual.

One of the essential aspects of preparing for Karva Chauth includes selecting gifts for family and friends. Women traditionally receive gifts from their husbands, while mothers-in-law give sargi, a pre-dawn meal comprising fruits, nuts, sweets, and savories, to their daughters-in-law. Moreover, it is customary to exchange thalis or plates filled with sweets between neighbors as part of community bonding during this festival.

Fasting tips are also crucial when it comes to preparing for Karva Chauth. Since fasting lasts an entire day without food or water intake until dusk, it is essential to prepare well beforehand. It would be best if you started hydrating yourself adequately in advance and avoid consuming caffeine or spicy food before beginning your fast. Additionally, eating light meals rich in carbohydrates such as rice or chapattis could help sustain energy levels throughout the day.