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Karwa Chauth

Introduction to Karwa Chauth:

Himachal Pradesh is often defined as the nature's paradise. Its beauty is graced with splendid valleys, verdant green hills, snow clad mountains and burbling streams. Still tucked away from the encroachments of the modern advancements, Himachal Pradesh has become one of the very popular travel destinations in India for the tourists around the globe. However what attracts tourists to this glorious hill state in India is just not the unparalleled scenic beauty of the place but the way local people continue to live their life with utmost simplicity however speckled with vibrant colors at times of celebrations.

Celebrations in Himachal Pradesh signify numerous fairs and festivals that have both religious and social implications. One of the very famous and truly Indian to the heart festival that has held everybody's attention alike is Karwa Chauth, Himachal Pradesh. The festival of Karwa Chauth in Himachal Pradesh is celebrated by the married women. They remain on fasting for entire day in order to ensure welfare, prosperity, long life and well being of their husbands.


Fairs and Festivals in Himachal Pradesh
Basoa or Bishu Festival Chaitraul Festival
Chaitti Himachal Pradesh Dyali Festival
Faguli Festival Fair Kullu Valley
Festival of Sair Shimla Fulaich Festival
Gotsi or Gochi Festival Gugnaumi Festival
Ice Skating Carnival Shimla / Dalhousie International Folk Festival
Karwa Chauth Festival Himachal Kazas Ladarcha Fair Lahaul & Spiti
Khepa Festival Khogal Festival
Lavi Fair Himachal Lohadi Festival
more Fairs and Festivals in Himachal Pradesh...


Time of celebrating Karwa Chauth:

The festival of Karwa Chauth, Himachal Pradesh is celebrated 9 days before the very famous Deepavali - the festival of lights on kartik ki chauth. It is essentially the fourth day of the dark moon.

Description of Karwa Chauth:

The festivities of Karwa Chauth, Himachal Pradesh start from early morning. Before sunrise, women take bath and attire in new cloths. They take few selected grains and fruits in meal. For remaining day they do not take food and water. However this strict practice to shun food and water for the entire day has been to some extent altered. Further, married women offer prayers to Hindu god and goddess such as Shiva and Parvati.

The prayers on the day of Karwa Chauth are offered with the motive of seeking blessings that would enable them to enjoy successful married lives. It is during afternoon that women assemble in neighborhood for a prayer ceremony. They recite very popular Karva Chauth story. On the time of the puja, women wear bright red or pink clothes and stunning jewelry. Once the prayer ceremony is over all the women eagerly wait for moon rise. As soon as moon appears on sky every woman come to their terrace and offer prayers to ensure well being for their husband and family.

They offer water to moon 16 times. An elderly woman of the family again recites story of Karwa Chauth. Later, the daughter in laws offer a small painted clay pot or say Auli filled with rice and other things to their mother-in-laws. At the end of these rituals, all women break their fast with a sip of water. There are some unmarried girls also who observe fasts on Karwa Chauth with the hope of getting good husband.

As the name suggests the Summer Festivals in Himachal Pradesh is usually held at the advent of summer. This year it will be celebrated in early June.

IndianHoliday provides information on the Shimla's Summer Festival of Himachal Pradesh.


Festivals in November 2012
Festival Name Festivals Day/Date
Rajyotsava Day 1 Nov, Thursday
Karva Chauth 2 Nov, Friday
Parumala Perunnal 2 Nov, Friday
Tokhu Emong 7 Nov, Wednesday
Bateshwar Fair 11 - 17 Nov, Sunday(Starting)
Dhanteras 11 Nov, Sunday
Diwali 13 Nov, Tuesday
Laxmi Puja 13 Nov, Tuesday
Kalpathi Ratholsavam 13 - 15 Nov, Tuesday-Thrusday
Govardhan Puja 14 Nov, Wednesday
Vikram New Year 14 Nov, Wednesday
Nehru Jayanti 14 Nov, Wednesday
Children's Day 14 Nov, Wednesday
World Diabetes Day 14 Nov, Wednesday
Muharram 14 Nov - 14 Dec, Wednesday(Starting)
Bhaiya Dooj 15 Nov, Thursday
Ningol Chakouba 15 Nov, Thursday
Dala Chhath 19 Nov, Monday
Maharani Laxmi Bai Birth Anniversary 19 Nov, Monday
Pushkar Fair 20 - 28 Nov, Tuesday(starting)
Majuli Festival 21 - 24 Nov, Wednesday-Saturday
Seng Kut Snem 23 Nov, Friday
Puri Beach Festival 23 - 27 Nov, Friday-Tuesday
Shamlaji Fair 24 - 28 Nov, Saturday-Wednesday
Renuka Fair 24 - 28 Nov, Saturday-Wednesday
Tulsi Vivah 24 - 28 Nov, Saturday-Wednesday
Ganga Mahotsav 25 - 28 Nov, Sunday-Wednesday
Chandrabhaga Fair 27 - 29 Nov, Tuesday-Thursday
Guru Nanak Jayanti 28 Nov, Wednesday
Karthigai Deepam 28 Nov, Wednesday
Vautha Fair 28 - 29 Nov, Wednesday-Thrusday
Ngada Festival Last Week of November
Aanvla Navami November
Lili Parikrama Fair November
Bada Osha November
Dadri Cattle Fair November
Kolayat Fair November
Kolhaiya Mela November
Kundri Mela November
Sonepur Mela November
Nimar Utsav November
Lucknow Festival November
Chandigarh Carnival November
Kalidas Festival November
Ka Pomblang Nongkrem November
Kurukshetra Festival November
Lavi Fair November
Mati Puja November
Mondei Festival November
Nongkrem Dance Festival November
Parab Tribal Festival November
Thalfavang Kut November
Godachi fair November
Shilpo utsav (Noida) November
Jhiri Mela November