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The festival of colorful bangles, ‘solah shringar’, mehendi, love and devotion dawns yet again! Yes, Karwa Chauth is being celebrated across India today, October 30.
Karwa Chauth is a one day long fast kept by Hindu married women from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands. This auspicious occasion is celebrated on the fourth day of the month of Kartik. This festival is traditionally observed in North, West and Central India. Some communities in South India also delve into the festivity this day.
Karwa Chauth in North India and Delhi
In Delhi and North India, it is considered to be the most important festival for married women. Festivities begin a day prior as one can see women applying mehendi in every nook and corner of the cities. On the D-day, women eat food early in the morning, before sunrise. They observe fast, without even water for the entire day. In the evening, the ladies listen to the Karwa Chauth Katha and break the fast after the moonrise.
Many progressive mothers-in-law consider Karva Chauth to be the best time to pamper their daughters-in-law to the hilt.
During this time of the year North, West and Central India generally witness clear sky conditions. Therefore, there is no problem in sighting the moon.
Karwa Chauth in East and South India
Some communities do celebrate Karva Chauth in these parts of the country. East India is observing clear weather conditions but, Northeast Monsoon has been bringing good showers, mainly along the East Coast.
The moon will be visible through the clouds in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. In Peninsular India, sighting the moon has been a perennial problem during Karva Chauth.
Moonrise timing in major cities
The moon is generally sighted half an hour after the moonrise. Below are the moonrise timings in different cities.
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