Karwa Chauth is a day of love, dedication, and deep-rooted tradition. Celebrated by married Hindu women, the festival involves fasting from sunrise to moonrise to pray for their husbands’ long lives. It's not just a religious practice but a celebration of the bond of marriage. Women across India, and even abroad, eagerly observe this festival every year. The excitement is palpable, especially when it's a woman’s first Karwa Chauth. The anticipation of observing the fast, the thrill of participating in the rituals, and the emotional connection to the day's customs make it unforgettable.
We spoke to women from different walks of life, asking them to share their memories of their first Karwa Chauth. Their stories reveal a mix of excitement, challenges, and joy, all bound together by the festival's special significance.
Karwa Chauth Fasting
Karwa Chauth is a significant one-day festival in Hindu culture, celebrated by married women who fast from sunrise until the moonrise. The festival falls on the fourth day after Purnima in the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually comes around October or November. This year, Karwa Chauth will be celebrated on 20th October, a Sunday.
On this day, women pray for the well-being and long lives of their husbands. It is said that the festival strengthens the bond of love between couples. Unmarried women can also observe the fast to seek blessings for a desired life partner. Though the fast is rigorous, as it forbids eating or drinking anything throughout the day, women participate with enthusiasm, following rituals passed down through generations.
For every woman, her first Karwa Chauth is a monumental moment. It holds a special place in her heart, full of excitement and, of course, the challenge of staying without food or water for the entire day. Many of these memories also revolve around food, particularly the ‘Sargi,’ a pre-dawn meal given by the mother-in-law that sustains the woman through her fast.
First Karwa Chauth Food Stories
Richa from Cauldron Sisters recalls her first Karwa Chauth, celebrated on 26th October 2010. "I had never fasted before in my life," she says, explaining her excitement and the overwhelming expectations that movies had set. "I don’t have a mother-in-law, so I didn’t have Sargi. In fact, after midnight, I didn’t eat anything at all."
Her husband also decided to fast with her for moral support, even though they were both dreaming of Chole and Tikki by 4 p.m. "Dinner was planned at my mom’s place, so we were lucky not to be surrounded by food aromas." The couple struggled as they waited for the moon but finally broke their fast with delicious Chole, Tikki, Dahi Bhalla, and Rasmalai. "We couldn’t recall how much attention we paid to others at the table," she laughs, reminiscing about the joy of indulging in food after a long day.
Dr Shalini Mathur, Founder of Adharshila Foundation, remembers her first Sargi meal fondly. "It was 1995, and I had a simple Sargi of Dahi, Barfi, Doodh pheni, apple, Singhara, and banana with tea," she shares. She followed it up with a glass of water to stay hydrated for the long day ahead.
After 30 years of observing the fast, Dr Mathur still follows the same traditions. "I always have Aloo ki Sabzi, Dahi Raita, Puri, Gobhi Aloo, and Meethey Pue after the Pooja," she adds. One unique ritual she follows is sipping chilled water and gulping down her Pue in small pieces, a tradition she cherishes to this day.
Astha Maheshwari, a new mother, fondly remembers her first Karwa Chauth in 2021. "It was special and full of excitement," she recalls. For her Sargi, she had coconut water, fruits, a glass of milk, and dry fruits. The excitement of participating in the rituals helped her manage her hunger throughout the day. "I broke my fast with a sip of water from my husband’s hands, followed by some delicious homemade sweets," she shares.
For dinner, Astha craved her comfort food, which included a thali of Puri, Sabzi, and Kheer. "The day was challenging, but the traditions and love I experienced made it all worth it," she says, smiling at the memory.
Sargi and Fasting
One of the most important aspects of Karwa Chauth is Sargi. This pre-dawn meal is often provided by the mother-in-law and is packed with energy-giving foods like fruits, nuts, sweets, and dairy products. While Sargi is a common practice, not every woman follows it, as it depends on family traditions.
Some women choose to skip Sargi altogether, but for many, it's a crucial part of the fast that helps them sustain their energy throughout the day. It’s believed that the food should be sattvik, meaning it should be simple, pure, no-onion and garlic and nourishing, as it’s eaten before a day-long fast.
For Mamta Sahu, a wholesaler of handmade scrunchies, her first Sargi in 2012 was a simple yet memorable meal. "I had fruits like apples and bananas, along with some snacks like chips and nuts. I also had a mixed paratha served with masala potatoes," she recalls.
Like many women, Mamta ensured she had a glass of milk to keep herself hydrated and full for the day. Though she initially felt excitement, by the end of the day, she was tired. She broke her fast by sipping water and indulging in a light meal of rice, Chole, Bhature, and Kheer.
During the fast, Mamta found herself occasionally craving street food like Pani Puri and Aloo Chaat. "The thought of those tangy, spicy snacks crossed my mind a few times," she laughs. "But the light, healthy Sargi I had in the morning kept me satisfied throughout the day."
A Tradition of Love and Respect
Karwa Chauth is not just a religious practice but a celebration of love and sacrifice. The food memories women carry from their first Karwa Chauth are often intertwined with the emotions they felt during the day—the hunger, the excitement, the anticipation of breaking the fast, and the joy of sharing a meal with their husbands.
As each woman observes this festival year after year, the food, the rituals, and the emotions create lasting memories that strengthen the bond of love and marriage. Whether it’s the simple meal of Puri and Sabzi or the first sip of water from their husbands’ hands, these memories are cherished forever.
For every woman, her first Karwa Chauth is a day to remember—a day filled with love, excitement, and, of course, food. From the Sargi meal to the moment they break their fast, these women shared stories of both challenge and joy.