When Is Karwa Chauth 2020? Significance Of Vrat And City-Wise Moonrise Time Across India

It's the festive season in India - after Navratri and Sharad Purnima, many Hindu women around the country are gearing up to celebrate Karwa Chauth that falls on 4th November this year. If you have grown up in India (or have watched Indian movies), you would be aware of this festival wherein women fast all day to pray for the long lives of their husbands. The Karwa Chauth fast is a nirjala fast, which means women do not even consume a morsel of food or a drop of water until they see the moon in the evening.

Date, Timing for Karwa Chauth Puja, Moon Sighting Or Moonrise Time In India

This year Karwa Chauth falls on 4th November 2020.  And you would be able to see the moon at around 8:52 p.m.

Karwa Chauth Puja Muhurat - 06:04 PM to 07:19 PM
Karwa Chauth Upavasa Time - 06:40 AM to 08:52 PM
Chaturthi Tithi Begins - 03:24 AM on Nov 04, 2020
Chaturthi Tithi Ends - 05:14 AM on Nov 05, 2020

^{Source: Drikpanchang.com}

(Source: drikpanchang.com and timeanddate.com)

(Also Read: Karwa Chauth : How To Make Feni For The Sargi Thaali)

^{Karwa Chauth is also known as Karak Chaturthi}

Significance Of Karwa Chauth Vrat

'Karwa' is another word for a pot and 'chauth' for fourth. Karwa Chauth falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi or the fourth day of moon's waning phase in the month of Kartik. Also known as Karak Chaturthi, Karwa Chauth is mostly celebrated in the Northern part of India such as Delhi, Punjab, Harayana, Uttar Pradesh etc. According to a popular belief, the custom originated in ancient times, when many men would stay out of their houses for months at stretch whether due to trade, travel or wars, women who stayed back conducted special prayers for their husbands that often included day-long fasting for their health and welfare. Married women start preparing for Karwa Chauth days in advance. They apply henna on their hands and on the day of Karwa chauth, they receive a special sargi from their in-laws that comprises bangles, saris, sindoor, nuts, dry fruits, and snacks.

On the day of Karwa Chauth, women gather at one house and pray to Goddess Parvati, listen to folktales, and decorate their karwas and puja thali with all things symbolising a happily married life. In the evening, they break their fast at the time of moonrise with a glass of water and some dry fruits. Pregnant women and those who are sick are often advised to avoid fasting.

Happy Karwa Chauth 2020 everyone!