Karwa Chauth 2025: On Karwa Chauth, married Hindu women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the well-being, longevity, and prosperity of their husbands. The ritual of looking at their husband’s face through a sieve at moonrise has deep cultural, emotional, and symbolic meaning.
Karwa Chauth 2025 Vrat Time
According to the Drik Panchang, the vow to fast is taken at sunrise on Karwa Chauth morning after bathing. After observing the fast for the entire day, the fast is broken by offering prayers to the moon at night. In such a situation, the worship time on Karwa Chauth will be from 6:18 am to 8:12 pm. This means that the total duration of the fast for fasting women can be around 14 hours.
What time will the moon rise?
According to the Drik Panchang, the moonrise time on Karwa Chauth this year is predicted to be 8:14 pm. However, the timing may vary slightly in different cities across India.
Sieve Symbolizes the Distinction Between Good and Evil
The sieve (sieve) symbolizes the distinction between good and evil, just as it sifts flour or grains, spiritually it symbolizes the removal of negative thoughts, difficulties, and bad influences from the couple’s life.
When a woman looks at her husband’s face through it, it is believed that she is praying to remove all negativity and allow only pure love, peace, and prosperity to enter her life.
The sequence of rituals has symbolic meaning.
At moonrise:
The fasting woman looks at the moon through a sieve, symbolizing Chandra Dev (Moon God) – the source of peace, patience, and emotional balance.
She then looks at her husband’s face through the same sieve, transferring those peaceful and divine qualities to their relationship.
The husband then offers her the first sip of water and a morsel of food, symbolizing love, care, and partnership.
Traditional belief
According to popular legend –
When Savitri, through her devotion and fasting, revived her husband Satyavan from Yama (the god of death), it became a symbol of the power of a wife’s love and faith. Therefore, Karva Chauth became a symbol of that devotion – the sieve and the moon together form a bridge between devotion and blessings (kripa).
Emotional and Modern Significance
Today, beyond mythology, it is also seen as:
A celebration of love, trust, and togetherness.
Now many couples fast together as a symbol of mutual respect and equality.
The moment with the sieve – when the moonlight falls on the husband’s face – symbolizes eternal connection and the beauty of tradition in modern love.
The Story of Karva
This is the story of Karva, known as Karva Chauth – and it is one of the most powerful examples of love, courage, and devotion in Indian mythology. This is the story that most grandmothers and elders tell during the evening prayers on this festival.
The Tale of Karva and Her Devotion
Long ago, in a small village in India, there lived a woman named Karva.
She had immense devotion for her husband and loved him with all her heart.
Due to her strong faith and devotion, she had attained great spiritual power (siddhi).
Tragedy
One day, while her husband was bathing in the river, a huge crocodile (magara) suddenly attacked him and began dragging him into the water. Hearing his cries for help, Karva ran to the riverbank. Seeing her husband in distress, she immediately tied the crocodile with a thread using the power of her devotion—and went straight to Yama, the god of death.
Plea before Yama
Karva firmly said:
“O Yama! This crocodile has tried to take my husband’s life. I command you—punish this creature and return my husband safely!”
Yamaraj was astonished. He said, “Karva, it is beyond your power to command me. Everyone must face death one day.”
But Karva remained fearless and steadfast in her faith. She replied, “If you don’t return my husband’s life, I will curse you with my devotion and destroy you!”
Yamaraj’s Answer
Seeing her unwavering love and strength, Yamaraj was moved. He immediately returned her husband’s life and sent the crocodile to hell.
He then blessed Karva, saying, “Your devotion will always be remembered. May all women who observe the fast with such devotion be blessed with long life and happiness and prosperity for their husbands.”
Symbolism
This is why this festival is called Karva Chauth:
“Karva” — in honor of a courageous and dedicated woman
“Chauth” — meaning the fourth day of the lunar month (Kartik Krishna Paksha Chaturthi)
It signifies:
Faith that overcomes fear
Love that defies death
A bond sanctified by devotion and prayer
Modern Meaning
Today, Karva Chauth is seen not just as a ritual, but as:
A celebration of love, commitment, and partnership
A symbol of true devotional power
And increasingly, an occasion where both partners fast for each other’s well-being, symbolizing equality and mutual respect.
In short, Karwa Chauth isn’t just about fasting – it’s about trust, patience, love, and emotional connection between husband and wife. It’s a festival that reminds couples that true love means praying not just for oneself, but for each other’s well-being.