**Karwa Chauth Rituals Explained: From Sargi to Moonrise Puja**
*By Anujj Trehaan | Oct 03, 2025, 06:22 pm*

Karwa Chauth is one of the most cherished festivals for married women in India, celebrated with devotion, love, and togetherness. Observed on the fourth day after Sharad Purnima, women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. With unique rituals that blend tradition and symbolism, Karwa Chauth beautifully reflects cultural heritage, family bonding, and timeless expressions of commitment and love.

### 1. Sargi Before Sunrise
The rituals begin early in the morning with **sargi**, a pre-dawn meal lovingly prepared by mothers-in-law for their daughters-in-law. This meal usually includes fruits, sweets, dry fruits, parathas, and refreshing drinks to provide nourishment for the long day ahead.

Eating sargi before sunrise is significant as it symbolizes blessings and maternal care, ensuring women have the energy to sustain the demanding fast.

### 2. The Daylong Fast
After sargi, women commence their **nirjala fast**, abstaining from both food and water until moonrise. This fast is observed with prayers and devotion focused on their husband’s well-being and prosperity.

During the day, women engage in light household activities, dress in festive attire, and sometimes gather with other women to share stories or prepare for the evening rituals.

### 3. Karwa Chauth Puja
In the evening, women come together with decorated thalis containing diyas (lamps), sweets, sindoor (vermilion), and a small karwa (clay pot). The puja is usually performed in groups, guided by an elder or a priest.

Stories about Karwa Chauth’s origins and significance are narrated while women pass their thalis in a circle, chanting prayers. This ritual strengthens community bonds and shared devotion.

### 4. Waiting for the Moonrise
After the puja, women eagerly await the moonrise—the most anticipated moment of the day. Families gather on rooftops or in open spaces.

Women hold decorated sieves or water vessels, looking toward the moon before turning their gaze to their husbands. This act symbolizes filtering out hardships, seeking blessings, and celebrating love. The moment is both emotional and deeply symbolic.

### 5. Breaking the Fast
Once the moon is sighted, husbands offer their wives the first sip of water and a morsel of food, marking the end of the fast. Families then share a celebratory meal featuring festive dishes specially prepared for the occasion.

Breaking the fast transforms the spiritual discipline into a joyful celebration of marriage, unity, and cherished relationships.

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Karwa Chauth continues to be a powerful expression of love, dedication, and cultural tradition, bringing families closer and honoring the enduring bond between husband and wife.
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