Karwa Chauth festival is here! Today, married Hindu women across India and the world observe the auspicious day of Karva Chauth 2025, fasting from sunrise to moonrise for the longevity and well-being of their husbands. This year, the festival falls on October 18, 2025, marking a day dedicated to commitment, ritual, and spiritual devotion.
Whether it’s your First Karva Chauth or you are looking for the precise Karva Chauth moon sighting time today, this guide explains the significance, rituals, and essential health tips for observing the rigorous fast safely.
The Sacred Karva Chauth Rituals and Vrat Vidhi in English
The Karwa Chauth fast is one of the most rigorous fasts in the Hindu calendar, requiring women to abstain from both food and water (Nirjala Vrat). Here is the traditional Karva Chauth Vrat Vidhi in English and the key Karva Chauth rituals [1]:
1. Pre-Dawn Ritual: Sargi for Karva Chauth
The fast begins before sunrise with the consumption of Sargi. This is a traditional meal prepared and given by the mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law.
- What to eat for Sargi: The meal typically consists of dry fruits, sweets, fresh fruit, and small snacks. It is designed to provide energy and sustenance to the fasting woman throughout the day.
- Pro-Tip: What to eat for Sargi: To ensure a safe Karva Chauth fast, focus on complex carbohydrates (like oats or whole wheat paratha) and healthy fats to stay full longer. (See detailed Karva Chauth diet plan tips [2]).
2. Day-Long Observances: Vrat and Katha
Once the Sargi is consumed, the strict fast begins. The day is spent performing household duties, spiritual contemplation, and preparing the Karva Chauth Puja Samagri.
- Karva Chauth Katha story: In the afternoon or evening, women gather to listen to the Karwa Chauth Ki Kahani (the fast’s central legend). This narrates the Story of Karva Chauth involving Queen Veervati, who rushed to break her fast prematurely, and the ultimate restoration of her husband’s life through complete devotion. The Karva Chauth and Mahabharata connection, where Draupadi observed the fast for the Pandavas, is also often referenced [3].
3. Evening Puja: Chauth Mata Puja
As the sun sets, women get ready for the main ceremony, often focusing on their Karva Chauth look ideas and applying beautiful Karva Chauth Mehndi designs.
- Puja Items List: The Karwa Chauth Puja Samagri includes an earthen pot (Karva), idols of Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, and Chauth Mata, incense sticks, flowers, and sweets.
- The Ritual: The women sit in a circle and perform the puja, exchanging the Karvas and offering prayers to the deities for the well-being of their families.
Today’s Key Timing: Karva Chauth Moon Sighting Time Today
The most anticipated part of the day is the sight of the moon, which signals the end of the fast. Accurate Karva Chauth moon sighting time today is crucial for completing the final rituals.
| City (Example) | Moonrise Time Today (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | 8:09 PM IST |
| Mumbai | 8:43 PM IST |
| Kolkata | 7:46 PM IST |
| Chennai | 8:25 PM IST |
Note: These times are approximate for Karva Chauth 2025 and can vary slightly based on local weather conditions and geographical location. Women should check their local meteorological reports for the exact timing.
How to Break Karva Chauth Fast
The fast is broken only after offering water (Arghya) to the moon and seeing the husband’s face through a sieve.
- Moon Worship: Women offer water and prayers to the moon.
- Husband’s Sight: They look at their husband’s face through a decorated sieve.
- A Sip of Water: The husband offers the first sip of water and a bite of food to his wife, formally concluding the Karwa Chauth fast.
Health and Safety: Karva Chauth Fasting Tips for Health
While the devotion is paramount, safety must also be prioritized. Observing the fast properly is especially important for women with underlying health conditions or those observing a safe Karva Chauth fast for pregnant women.
Hydration and Diet Tips:
- Stay Hydrated During Karva Chauth Fast (Pre-Fast): Consume plenty of water and clear liquids during your Sargi to build reserves. Use buttermilk or coconut water in the morning.
- Avoid High-Sugar Foods: While sweets are traditional, excessive sugar in your Sargi can lead to a quick energy drop later in the day. (See the list of foods to avoid [4]).
- Foods to Break Fast on Karva Chauth: Break the fast gently. Avoid heavy, fried, or spicy meals immediately. Start with water, followed by juice or tender coconut water. Eat light and easily digestible foods like yogurt, fruits, or a small bowl of rice pudding (Kheer).
- Tips for Pregnant Women: Medical advice strongly recommends that pregnant women avoid the Nirjala (water-less) fast. If observing, switch to a milder Phalahar fast (consuming fruits and milk) and consult your doctor beforehand.
Karva Chauth Significance: Why Married Women Fast
The Karva Chauth significance is rooted in tradition, symbolizing the deep bond and spiritual connection between a husband and wife.
- Why married women fast on Karva Chauth: The fast is observed as an earnest prayer to Yama, the god of death, and to Goddess Parvati (an avatar of Shakti) for the long life, health, and prosperity of their spouse. The Karva Chauth meaning transcends a mere fast; it is a reaffirmation of the wife’s unconditional love and devotion [5].
- First Karva Chauth tips: New brides should take it easy. Focus on understanding the rituals from the elders and prioritize self-care over strict abstinence.
We wish everyone observing this sacred day a blessed and joyous Karva Chauth 2025. May your day be filled with devotion, love, and happiness!
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External Links for Authority
- Karva Chauth rituals: Britannica – Karva Chauth Significance, Rituals, & Story
- Karva Chauth diet plan: Mint – Sargi Tips and Foods to Stay Full and Energised
- Karva Chauth Katha story: Drik Panchang – Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha | Legends of Karwa Chauth
- Foods to break fast on Karva Chauth: Times of India – Top 10 foods to avoid, what not to eat before and after the Karwa Chauth fast
- Karva Chauth meaning: Wikipedia – Karva Chauth