Celebrating your first Karva Chauth? Here's everything to know

Your first Karva Chauth as a married couple can come with plenty of excitement, a little confusion, and questions about rituals you may or may not have grown up following. From figuring out what goes into a sargi thali to planning your outfit and understanding the rituals, there is quite a bit to prepare for if you are celebrating for the first time.

Traditionally observed by married women, Karva Chauth involves fasting from sunrise until moonrise and praying for their husbands' well-being and longevity. In recent years, the practice has also evolved, with many husbands choosing to fast alongside their wives as a gesture of love. Additionally, many unmarried couples also celebrate it as a mark of their love. Over the years, the festival has also become an occasion for dressing up, spending time with family, and celebrating together. 

What is sargi?

Sargi is the pre-dawn meal traditionally eaten before the fast begins. In many North Indian families, a mother-in-law prepares or gifts the sargi to her daughter-in-law. It often includes fruits, dry fruits, sweets, savoury food, and other nourishing items. If this is your first Karva Chauth, check with your family about its customs and plan your meal accordingly. Since you will be fasting for much of the day, make sure you eat enough and hydrate well before sunrise.

What happens during the evening pooja?

The evening pooja is an important part of Karva Chauth. Women traditionally gather to pray, listen to or recite the vrat katha, and take part in rituals that may involve a decorated pooja thali and a karva, which is a small pot traditionally used in the ceremony. The exact practices and the deity worshipped can vary by region and family traditions.

How do you break the fast?

Moonrise is the moment that everyone looks forward to. Traditionally, the moon is viewed through a sieve, followed by prayers, and offerings of water. In some households, the husband then offers his wife water and food to break her fast, and vice versa if the husband is fasting too. The couple then proceeds to have a wholesome meal after an entire day of fasting.

What should you wear?

There is no compulsory dress code. Sarees, suits, lehengas, and fusion outfits all work, depending on your personal style and the kind of celebration you have planned. Red is a popular choice, but pink, green, gold, and other festive shades look equally vibrant. Some newlyweds also re-wear their wedding outfit or reuse pieces from their trousseau, styling them with jewellery that they already own.

Does everyone have to fast?

Karva Chauth is a personal and religious observance, and practices differ. You do not have to treat fasting as a test of how much you love your partner. If you choose to observe the fast, consider your health first and make sure to know if fasting is safe for you.

Ultimately, your first Karva Chauth may involve learning a few new rituals, figuring out what to wear, or asking your family a dozen questions about how things are done. Take it one step at a time and celebrate in a way that feels natural to you as a couple. After all, the first time you observe a festival together is also a chance to start your own traditions, alongside the ones that you grew up with.

Lead image: Sidharth Malhotra/Instagram

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