When is Karwa Chauth 2024: Date, timings, history, significance—all you need to know

This festival is a celebration of marriage, where wives observe fasting, known as the Nirjala Vrat, which begins at sunrise and lasts until the moon is sighted in the evening.

“The fasting of Karwa Chauth is strict and observed without taking any food or even a drop of water after sunrise till the sighting of the moon in the night,” Drik Panchang states.

It is dedicated to the well-being and longevity of husbands, falling during the Hindu month of Kartik during Krishna Paksha Chaturthi.

According to the Drik Panchang, Karwa Chauth falls on the same day as Sankashti Chaturthi, a fasting day dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Here’s all you need to know.

Karwa Chauth 2024: Date and Timings

As per the Purnimanta calendar followed in North Indian states, Karwa Chauth is observed on Chaturthi (the fourth day) of Kartik (8th lunar month) during Krishna Paksha.

This year, in 2024, it will be observed on October 20, that is, Sunday, with the moon expected to rise at 7:54 PM as per Drik Panchang, although this may vary slightly depending on the location.

Here are auspicious timings for the day:

• Karwa Chauth Puja Muhurat: 05:47 PM to 07:03 PM
• Karwa Chauth Upavasa Time: 06:26 AM to 07:55 PM
• Expected Moonrise on Karwa Chauth Day: 07:55 PM
• Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 06:46 AM on Oct 20, 2024
• Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 04:16 AM on Oct 21, 2024

Karwa Chauth 2024: Origin and Significance

Karwa Chauth, also known as Karak Chaturthi, symbolises the strength of the marital bond and it can be traced back to the story of the Mahabharata, when Savitri implored the deity of death, Lord Yama, for the soul of her spouse.

Another chapter in the epic is about the Pandavas and their wife Draupadi, who sought the assistance of her brother Krishna after Arjuna travelled to the Nilgiris to pray and meditate for a few days.

He instructed her to fast as strictly as Goddess Parvati did for the safety of her husband Shiva. Draupadi stuck to it, and Arjuna soon came home safely.

So, the significance behind the festival is that the act of fasting demonstrated a wife’s devotion and love for her husband.

Karwa Chauth is predominantly celebrated in northern and western India, with vibrant festivities marking the occasion.

In states like Punjab and Haryana, markets are filled with decorative items, traditional clothing, and sweets, reflecting the festive spirit.

Rituals may vary by region, but the essence remains the same: a celebration of love, devotion, and the sacred bond of marriage.