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Karva Chauth 2023: Date, History, Significance, Celebration

Published Date: 09-Dec-2022

Karva Chauth or Karwa Chauth is one of the most significant festivals in the life of a married Hindu woman. Majorly celebrated in the western and northern parts of India, this day symbolizes the strength of the bond between a husband and wife. On this day, Indian married women keep a day-long fast for the well-being and longevity of their better halves which is concluded upon the sighting of the moon.

According to the Hindu calendar, this day falls on the fourth day of Kartik month, every year. In 2023, Karva Chauth will be observed on 1st November (Wednesday) in India.

Karva Chauth History and Significance

Karva Chauth (Karwa Chauth) | History and Significance

Karva Chauth (Karwa Chauth) | History and Significance

There are no official records revealing the exact origin of this festival. But there are multiple legends in Bhagwad Gita that date back the origin of Karva Chauth to the mythological period.

The most popular legend of all is the one of Queen Veeravati. The story goes that her seven brothers tricked her into breaking her first Karva Chauth by posing a mirror as the moon, out of the love they had for their sister. Soon after breaking the fast, Veeravati got the news of her husband’s death that left her devastated and she kept crying until a goddess appeared and revealed the truth about what her brothers did. She asked Veeravati to complete the ritual, and then the Lord of Death, Yama, was forced to release the soul of her husband.

The Mahabharata connects this day to the time when Arjuna went to the Nilgiris, leaving the other Pandavas alone. They faced a lot of problems in his absence and to help them, Draupadi prayed to Lord Krishna who guided her to keep a fast for the well-being of her husbands. She followed all the rituals as per his instructions, and this helped Pandavas overcome all the problems.

There are many other legends about the origin of this festival including the one about a Pati-vrata woman named Karwa and of Satyavan and his wife Savitri.

Karva Chauth 2023 Celebrations across India

Karva Chauth (Karwa Chauth) | Celebrations across India

Karva Chauth (Karwa Chauth) | Celebrations across India

On this day, married women dress up like a bride and apply mehandi to honour the relationship with their husbands. They begin the fast with sunrise and consume no water or food throughout the day until the sighting of the moon. In the evening, they recite stories based on the origin of Karwa Chauth and pray. When the moon appears, they break the fast by offering water first to the moon and then to their husbands. The husbands then offer water and a sweet to their wives to break their fast.  

Married women receive gifts from their in-laws and husbands as a token of love and prosperity. In some parts of India, unmarried women also fast on this day in the hope to get their desired life partner.

Best Places to Observe Karva Chauth Celebrations in India

Year-Wise Karva Chauth Observances

YEAR DAY DATE Event/Festival
2015 Fri 30-Oct Karva Chauth
2016 wed 19-Oct Karva Chauth
2017 Sun 8-Oct Karva Chauth
2018 Sat 27-Oct Karva Chauth
2019 Thur 17-Oct Karva Chauth
2020 Wed 4-Nov Karva Chauth
2021 Sun 24-Oct Karva Chauth
2022 Thur 13-Oct Karva Chauth
2023 Wed 1-Nov Karva Chauth
2024 Sun 20-Oct Karva Chauth
2025 Fri 10-Oct Karva Chauth

Other Festivals in India with Holiday Type

Festivals in India Day Date Holiday Type
New Year Sunday 1 January Public
Lohri Saturday 14 January Restricted
Makar Sankranti Saturday 14 January Restricted
Pongal Sunday 15 January Restricted
Basant Panchmi Thursday 26 January Restricted
Republic Day Thursday 26 January Public
Guru Ravidass Jayanti Sunday 5 February Restricted
Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti Wednesday 15 February Restricted
Mahashivratri Saturday 18 February Restricted
Losar Tuesday 21 February Restricted
Holi Wednesday 8 March Public
Ram Navami Thursday 30 March Restricted
Mahavir Jayanti Tuesday 4 April Restricted
Good Friday Friday 7 April Public
Easter Sunday 9 April Restricted
Vaisakhi Friday 14 April Restricted
Eid Ul Fitr Saturday 22 April Public
Buddha Purnima Friday 5 May Public
Rabindra Jayanti Tuesday 9 May Restricted
Rath Yatra Tuesday 20 June Restricted
Eid Al Adha Thursday 29 June Restricted
Muharram Saturday 29 July Public
Independence Day Tuesday 15 August Public
Parsi New Year Navroz Wednesday 16 August Restricted
Onam Tuesday 29 August Restricted
Raksha Bandhan Wednesday 30 August Restricted
Janmashtami Thursday 7 September Restricted
Ganesh Chaturthi Tuesday 19 September Restricted
Id E Milad Thursday 28 September Public
Gandhi Jayanti Monday 2 October Public
Dussehra Tuesday 24 October Public
Valmiki Jayanti Saturday 28 October Restricted
Diwali Sunday 12 November Public
Bhai Dooj Tuesday 14 November Restricted
Chhath Puja Sunday 19 November Restricted
Guru Nanak Jayanti Monday 27 November Public
Christmas Monday 25 December Public
Sargun Preet Kaur
Sargun has an appetite for challenges and creative hurdles that can help her grow as she conquers them one by one. With an innate desire to travel the world, she weaves through life by visiting her dream destinations. When not in her creative zone, Sargun loves to smash in badminton and binge-watch her favourite shows.
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