Karwa Chauth Puja Vidhi (करवा चौथ पूजा विधि)
The Karwa Chauth puja method: sargi, nirjala fast, evening worship, katha, moon sighting, and the order of breaking the fast after the arghya, with materials.
When to do it
- On Kartik Krishna Chaturthi
- Sargi before sunrise, puja in the evening, arghya at moonrise
Puja materials checklist
Puja method (step by step)
Bath and purification
Bathe and wear clean, preferably freshly washed clothes. Keep the mind calm and put your phone away.
Prepare the place
Clean the place of worship. East or north-east is considered best. Spread a clean cloth on a low wooden seat (chowki) and install the idol or picture.
Lamp and achaman
Light the lamp and incense. Take water in the right palm and sip it three times (achaman).
Sankalp (resolve)
Holding water, rice grains (akshat) and a flower in your hand, say silently your name, gotra (if known) and the purpose of the puja, then pour the water on the ground. A resolve in simple language is also valid.
Ganesh vandana
Remembering Ganesha before any puja is considered auspicious in tradition.
Sargi (before sunrise)
Eat the sargi received from your mother-in-law or elders before sunrise and take the resolve for the fast. Some families do not have the sargi tradition.
Fast through the day
Keep the fast waterless or according to your tradition. If your health is not good, take a doctor’s advice about water or fruit.
Evening worship
In the evening, dressed up, install Shiv-Parvati, Ganesha, Kartikeya and the karwa on the seat. Worship with roli, akshat and flowers.
Katha and exchanging karwa
Listen to the Karwa Chauth katha. The tradition is to exchange karwas (pheras) with friends.
Moon sighting and arghya
At moonrise, look at the moon and then at your husband through the sieve. Offer water as arghya to the moon and perform aarti.
Breaking the fast
Break the fast by drinking water from your husband’s hand and eating something sweet. Then touch the feet of elders and eat.
Aarti
Perform aarti with a ghee lamp. Let all family members stand together, and take the aarti at the end.
Prayer for forgiveness
Ask humbly for forgiveness for any mistake made during the puja.
Prasad and closing
Share the prasad with everyone and take some yourself. Take the blessings of elders. Immerse flowers and other puja materials in flowing water or under a tree, rather than throwing them in the trash.
Mantras
✔ Do
- Bathe and wear clean clothes before the puja
- Sit with a calm mind and faith
- Keep the bhog clean and prepared at home
- Share the prasad with everyone after the puja
- Dress with suhag items
- Take the blessings of elders
✘ Do not
- Do not get distracted by your phone or conversation during the puja
- Avoid anger, gossip and harsh speech
- Do not offer stale or impure flowers and bhog
- Do not place the idol or picture directly on the floor
- Many homes have a tradition of avoiding needles, thread and sharp tools
- Do not get angry with anyone
Common mistakes
- Keeping a strict fast ignoring your health; pregnant, ill and elderly women should consult a doctor
- Reading the moonrise time wrongly; check your city’s time in the panchang
- Limiting the fast to show
Auspicious muhurat
The puja muhurat and moonrise time are different in every city. Check your city’s panchang.
Related aarti, katha and mantra
Frequently asked questions
When is the Karwa Chauth fast broken?
Is a waterless fast necessary?
What is sargi?
What if the moon is not visible?
Can an unmarried girl keep this fast?
Other puja vidhis
Note: puja methods vary by family, region and sect. The method given here is a simple, general form. Give priority to your family tradition or your pandit’s guidance.