Karva Chauth 2016: Tithi, Vidhi and Puja Timings

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Mumbai: Dressed in their best fineries, married women in India will observe a day long fast today on the occasion of Karva Chauth and break it after sighting the moon at night. A woman dedicates the auspicious day to pray for the well-being of her husband.

Women in the family and neighbourhood gather together to start the Karva Chauth rituals in the morning and eat traditional recipes specifically prepared on the day of the festival. After observing a fast post sunrise, women take part in various traditional activities and prayers and take part in Karva Chauth Katha.

According to the Hindu calendar, the Karva Chauth Tithi is observed during Krishna Paksha Chaturthi in the month of Kartik. The Tithi started on October 18 at 10:47 PM and will continue till 7:32 PM on October 19.

The moon is expected to rise at about 9.21 PM tonight and the Puja muhurat is between 6 PM to 7.14 PM.

Karva Chauth Puja Vidhi

Karva is actually a pitcher filled with water or milk and coins that is used by the women during the festival. It is later given as charity for the well-being of the family and future generations.

On this occasion, Akhanda Saubhagyavati Goddess Parvati is worshipped. Women also worship her husband Lord Shiva and their sons Ganesha and Kartikeya on this day.

A woman seeks blessings from the supreme powers to less her as she observes a nirjal vrat ( since she doesn’t even drink water) until she offers her prayers to the moon god in the evening.

"मम सुखसौभाग्य पुत्रपौत्रादि सुस्थिर श्री प्राप्तये करक चतुर्थी व्रतमहं करिष्ये।"

Meaning – Bless me as I observe this fast for the well-being of my family, wealth and prosperity.

After offering her prayers, the Karva is donated.

Then, the suhagan catches a glimpse of the moon through a sieve with a diya placed on it. Then she looks at her husband through the sieve. Her husband helps her break her fast by making her drink water and offering her sweets.