Karwa Chauth is a significant one-day festival observed by married Hindu women, primarily in Northern and Western India. Celebrated on the fourth day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Kartik, usually falling in October or November, it symbolizes the love and devotion between a wife and her husband.

On this day, women observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise, without consuming even a drop of water, for the longevity, well-being, and prosperity of their husbands. The fast is broken only after sighting the moon, often through a sieve or through the reflection in a vessel filled with water.

The preparations for Karwa Chauth start much before the actual day, with women buying new clothes, jewelry, and items for the puja such as the ‘Karwa’ (a clay pot) and ‘Chauth’ (fourth day). They apply intricate henna designs on their hands, exchange decorated ‘Karwas’ with other married women, and listen to the Karwa Chauth Katha (legend).

The festival culminates in the evening when women, dressed in fine clothing, usually red or pink (considered auspicious for married women), gather and perform a puja to worship the moon. They offer water (Argha) to the moon and pray for the blessings of peace, prosperity, and longevity for their husbands. The husbands then offer food and water to their wives, helping them break the fast.

Over time, Karwa Chauth has evolved to become a celebration of marital solidarity, love, and commitment. It is often romanticized in Indian cinema, contributing to its popularity and significance as a festival that strengthens the bond between couples.