1. Sargi
The sargi begins the day-long waterless fast.
Before sunrise, eat the sargi (fruit, dry fruit, sweets) given by your mother-in-law and begin the waterless (nirjala) fast.
Samagri: Seasonal fruits, sweets
॥ Shrigauryai Namah ॥
Karwa Chauth Puja
Kartik Krishn Chaturthi · About 47 min · 37 steps
- Significance:
- A waterless fast by married women for their husbands' long life; broken after the arghya to the moon.
- Timing:
- Evening puja; arghya at moonrise
- Vrat:
- Waterless fast — from sunrise to moonrise; parana after the arghya to the moon
Pooja Samagri: items to keep ready
0 / 32 items ready
Step-by-step vidhi
Instructions are translated from the Hindi workbook; shlokas are chanted in Sanskrit.
🔥 Fire safety: take care when lighting a diya, camphor, incense or the havan fire. Children should take part only under adult supervision. Never leave a flame unattended, keep water nearby, and keep curtains, cloth and paper away. Perform the havan in an open or well-ventilated place.
Puja muhurat · Thursday, 29 October 2026
Puja muhurat: 5:38 PM – 6:56 PM
Moonrise: 8:17 PM
For New Delhi. Times in other cities can differ by a few minutes; confirm with your local panchang or purohit.2-second pause after each shloka · pause, go back or skip at any time
2. Pavitrikaranam
Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarvavastham Gato'pi Va | Yah Smaret Pundarikaksham Sa Bahyabhyantarah Shuchih ||
Om Pundarikakshah Punatu | Om Pundarikakshah Punatu | Om Pundarikakshah Punatu ||
Pure or impure, in whatever state — whoever remembers the lotus-eyed Lord becomes pure within and without. May the lotus-eyed Lord purify us.
Take water in the left hand and, with the fingers of the right hand, sprinkle it over yourself, the seat and the puja items.
Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, Ganga water
3. Achamanam
Om Keshavaya Namah | Om Narayanaya Namah | Om Madhavaya Namah ||
Om Hrishikeshaya Namah | Hastam Prakshalayami ||
Sipping water thrice with salutations to Keshava, Narayana and Madhava for inner purity; hands are washed with Hrishikesha's name.
Take a little water in the right palm (gokarna mudra) and sip it three times, once with each name; then say 'Hrishikeshaya Namah' and wash your hands.
Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon
4. Asana Shuddhi
Om Prithvi Tvaya Dhrita Loka Devi Tvam Vishnuna Dhrita | Tvam Cha Dharaya Mam Devi Pavitram Kuru Chasanam ||
Om Asanadevatayai Namah ||
O Mother Earth, you uphold the worlds and are upheld by Vishnu; uphold me too and sanctify my seat.
Sprinkle a little water on the ground under the seat and recite the mantra while touching the seat.
Samagri: Seat (kusha grass or wool), water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon
5. Deepa Prajvalanam
Shubham Karoti Kalyanamarogyam Dhanasampada | Shatrubuddhivinashaya Dipajyotirnamo'stu Te ||
Om Dipajyotishe Namah ||
Salutations to the lamp's flame, which brings auspiciousness, well-being, health and wealth, and destroys hostile thoughts.
Light the ghee lamp and place it to the deity's right (your left); an oil lamp goes to the deity's left. Bow to the lamp.
Samagri: Ghee lamp with cotton wick, matchbox
6. Sankalpa
Om Vishnurvishnurvishnuh | Shrimadbhagavato Mahapurushasya Vishnoragyaya Pravartamanasya Adya Shribrahmano Dvitiyaparardhe Shrishvetavarahakalpe Vaivasvatamanvantare Ashtavimshatitame Kaliyuge Kaliprathamacharane Jambudvipe Bharatakhande Bharatavarshe Aryavartaikadeshe (city/village) nagare (samvatsara) namasamvatsare (ayana) (ritu) (month) mase (paksha) pakshe (tithi) tithau (weekday) vasare (gotra) gotrotpannah/utpanna (your name) Namaham Mama Sukhasaubhagyaputrapautradisusthirashripraptaye Karakachaturthivratamaham Karishye ||
Say the words in ( ) — the Panchang and your gotra — yourself; ▶ Listen to sankalp asks you for them. Your name and city come from your profile.
I (name, gotra), at this time and place, resolve to perform this puja for the stated purpose.
Take water, akshat, flowers and dakshina in the right hand and read the sankalp (the app fills in your town, tithi, name and gotra); at the end, release the water onto the ground or into a copper plate.
Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers, dakshina (coin/money)
7. Ganesha Smaranam
Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha | Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada ||
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah | Gandhakshatapushpani Samarpayami ||
O curved-trunked, mighty Lord, radiant as a million suns — make all my undertakings free of obstacles, always.
Before any puja, meditate on Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and offer akshat and flowers. (In Ganesha Puja this step is part of the main worship.)
Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers, roli/kumkum
8. Kalasha Pujanam
Kalashasya Mukhe Vishnuh Kanthe Rudrah Samashritah | Mule Tatra Sthito Brahma Madhye Matriganah Smritah ||
Om Varunaya Namah | Kalasham Pujayami ||
Vishnu dwells at the kalash's mouth, Rudra at its neck, Brahma at its base and the Mother-goddesses in its middle — I worship this all-divine vessel.
Offer roli, akshat and flowers on the water-filled kalash (with mango leaves and coconut). For the full kalash sthapana see Sheet 11.
Samagri: Kalash (copper/brass/clay), 5 mango leaves, coconut with husk, mauli/kalava thread, Ganga water
9. Dhyanam
Sarvamangalamangalye Shive Sarvarthasadhike | Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namo'stu Te ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Dhyayami ||
Meditation on the form of the deity.
Join your hands, close your eyes and recite the dhyana shloka while picturing the deity's form in your mind.
10. Shiva Parivar Sthapana
Om Shivayai Namah (Parvati) | Om Namah Shivaya (Shiva) | Om Ganeshaya Namah (Ganesha) | Om Shanmukhaya Namah (Kartikeya) ||
Salutations to Mother Parvati, Lord Shiva, Ganesha and Kartikeya.
Put up a Karva Chauth picture on the wall/board, or make a clay Gauri (Gaur), and install her with Shiva, Ganesha and Kartikeya; offer roli, akshat and flowers to all.
Samagri: Deity murti/picture, roli/kumkum, akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers
11. Avahanam
Agachchha Varade Devi Daityadarpanishudini | Pujam Grihana Sumukhi Namaste Shankarapriye ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Avahayami Sthapayami ||
Invitation to the deity to be present for the worship.
With the avahana mudra (palms joined, thumbs folded in), invite the deity to the place of worship; release akshat.
Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice)
12. Asanam
Ramyam Sushobhanam Divyam Sarvasaukhyakaram Shubham | Asanam Cha Maya Dattam Grihana Parameshvari ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Asanarthe Pushpani Samarpayami ||
This beautiful, divine, auspicious seat that brings every comfort I offer — please accept it.
Take five flowers or grains of akshat in joined palms and offer them as the deity's seat.
Samagri: Fresh flowers
13. Padyam
Gangodakam Nirmalam Cha Sarvasaugandhasamyutam | Padaprakshalanarthaya Dattam Te Pratigrihyatam ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Padayoh Padyam Samarpayami ||
This clean, fragrant warm water is offered to wash your feet — please accept it.
With the achamani spoon, offer a little water at the deity's feet (or into a vessel placed towards the feet).
Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon
14. Arghyam
Arghyam Grihana Deveshi Gandhapushpakshataih Saha | Karunam Kuru Me Devi Grihanarghyam Namo'stu Te ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Hastayoh Arghyam Samarpayami ||
O Lord of gods, accept this arghya with scent, flowers and rice; be compassionate to me. Salutations.
Mix sandalwood paste, akshat and flowers into water and offer arghya towards the deity's hands.
Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, sandalwood, akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers
15. Achamaniyam
Karpuravasitam Toyam Mandakinyah Samahritam | Achamyatam Jaganmatah Maya Dattam Hi Bhaktitah ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Achamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami ||
Camphor-scented water brought from the Ganga, offered with devotion — O Lord of the world, please sip.
With the achamani spoon, offer a little pure water to the deity for sipping (achamana).
Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon
16. Snanam
Mandakinyastu Yadvari Sarvapapaharam Shubham | Tadidam Kalpitam Devi Snanartham Pratigrihyatam ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Snanam Samarpayami ||
The auspicious, sin-removing water of the Mandakini is presented for your bath — please accept.
Bathe the murti with pure water. For a picture, sprinkle water on it with a flower.
Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, Ganga water
17. Vastram
Shitavatoshnasantranam Lajjaya Rakshanam Param | Dehalankaranam Vastramatah Shantim Prayachchha Me ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Vastram Samarpayami ||
Cloth that shields from cold, wind and heat, protects modesty and adorns the body is offered — grant me peace.
Offer clothing to the deity (a red chunari to the Devi). If there is no cloth, offer mauli/kalava thread in its place.
Samagri: Cloth, or mauli thread in its place
18. Saubhagya Dravyam
Sinduram Shobhanam Raktam Saubhagyam Sukhavardhanam | Shubhadam Kamadam Chaiva Sinduram Pratigrihyatam ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Saubhagyadravyani Samarpayami ||
Accept this beautiful red sindoor, which increases good fortune and happiness and fulfils wishes.
Offer sindoor, kumkum, turmeric and the items of saubhagya to the Devi (in Devi puja, in place of the sacred thread).
Samagri: Sindoor, roli/kumkum, turmeric
19. Gandha
Shrikhandam Chandanam Divyam Gandhadhyam Sumanoharam | Vilepanam Surashreshthe Chandanam Pratigrihyatam ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Gandham Samarpayami ||
Divine, fragrant, delightful sandal paste for anointing — O best of gods, accept it.
With the ring finger, apply a tilak of sandalwood/roli to the deity.
Samagri: Sandalwood, roli/kumkum
20. Akshatah
Akshatashcha Surashreshthe Kunkumaktah Sushobhitah | Maya Nivedita Bhaktya Grihana Parameshvari ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Akshatan Samarpayami ||
These kumkum-graced unbroken grains I offer with devotion — please accept.
Offer akshat (unbroken rice) mixed with kumkum.
Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice), roli/kumkum
21. Pushpani
Malyadini Sugandhini Malatyadini Vai Prabho | Mayanitani Pushpani Grihana Parameshvari ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Pushpani Pushpamalam Cha Samarpayami ||
Fragrant garlands and flowers such as malati I have brought — O Lord, accept them.
Offer fresh flowers and a garland to the deity (for the deity's favourite flowers see Sheet 13).
Samagri: Fresh flowers, flower garland
22. Vishesha Dravya Arpanam
Om Shivayai Namah | Raktavastram Shrringaradravyani Cha Samarpayami ||
Offering of the deity's favourite leaf/item.
Offer a red chunari and adornment items (sindoor, bindi, bangles, mehndi).
Samagri: Red chunari, the sixteen adornments (solah shringar)
23. Dhupa
Vanaspatirasodbhuto Gandhadhyo Gandha Uttamah | Aghreyah Sarvadevanam Dhupo'yam Pratigrihyatam ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Dhupam Aghrapayami ||
This incense of fine fragrance, made from plant resins and fit for all the gods, please accept.
Light dhoop/incense and, ringing the bell with the left hand, wave the incense before the deity with the right hand.
Samagri: Dhoop/incense sticks, bell, matchbox
24. Deepa
Sajyam Cha Vartisamyuktam Vahnina Yojitam Maya | Dipam Grihana Deveshi Trailokyatimirapaham ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Dipam Darshayami | Hastaprakshalanam ||
A lamp of ghee and wick, lit with fire, that dispels the darkness of the three worlds — please accept.
Show the ghee lamp to the deity, then wash your hands.
Samagri: Ghee lamp with cotton wick
25. Naivedyam
Sharkarakhandakhadyani Dadhikshiraghritani Cha | Aharam Bhakshyabhojyam Cha Naivedyam Pratigrihyatam || Om Pranaya Svaha | Om Apanaya Svaha | Om Vyanaya Svaha | Om Udanaya Svaha | Om Samanaya Svaha ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Naivedyam Nivedayami ||
Accept this food offering of sugar, sweets, curd, milk, ghee and dishes. It is offered to the five vital breaths.
Place the plate of bhog before the deity and circle it with water (for Vishnu, Krishna and Rama, place a tulsi leaf on it), then recite the pancha-pranahuti mantra.
Samagri: Naivedya (sweets/bhog), water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon
26. Dakshina
Hiranyagarbhagarbhastham Hemabijam Vibhavasoh | Anantapunyaphaladamatah Shantim Prayachchha Me ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Dakshinam Samarpayami ||
This offering of gold — seed of fire, born of the cosmic golden womb, giver of endless merit — grant me peace.
Place a coin/money before the deity as dakshina.
Samagri: Dakshina (coin/money)
27. Mantra Japa
Om Gauryai Namah
Repetition of the deity's root mantra.
Chant the deity's mool mantra on a japa mala — Short mode 11, Medium 21, Full 108 times.
Samagri: Japa mala (108 beads)
28. Katha / Path
Listening to the katha or reciting the stotra completes the fruit of the puja.
Read or listen to the kathas: Popular Karva Chauth Vrat Kathas (Veeravati, Karva Mata, Draupadi, Ganesh ji) — summary in Sheet 19. (The katha is essential in this vrat.)
Samagri: Sacred book
Popular Karva Chauth Vrat Kathas (Veeravati, Karva Mata, Draupadi, Ganesh ji)
1. The story of Veeravati
A merchant had seven sons and one daughter, Veeravati, whom all seven brothers loved dearly. On her first Karva Chauth after marriage she was at her parents' home. She kept the waterless fast with her sisters-in-law, but by evening she was so weak with hunger and thirst that she nearly fainted.
Her brothers could not bear to see her suffer. They lit a lamp behind a distant tree and showed it through a sieve so it looked like the moon. Her sisters-in-law told her it was not the real moon, but Veeravati took it for the moon, offered arghya and sat down to eat.
In the first morsel she found a hair, at the second someone sneezed, and as she lifted the third, word came from her in-laws' home that her husband had died. Weeping, Veeravati hurried to her in-laws' home.
There Indrani (in many traditions, Mother Parvati) told her that this misfortune came from breaking the fast at the sight of a false moon. She said that if Veeravati kept the chaturthi fast of every month for a whole year with devotion, and kept the next Karva Chauth properly, her husband would be restored to her.
For the whole year Veeravati sat beside her husband's body and kept every chaturthi fast with devotion. On the next Karva Chauth she kept the waterless fast, adorned herself with the sixteen adornments, and offered arghya on seeing the real moon. By the merit of the vrat and the grace of the Goddess, her husband came back to life. That is why the Karva Chauth fast is broken only after seeing the moon and offering arghya.
2. The story of Karva Mata
Long ago a devoted wife named Karva lived with her husband in a village by a river. One day, while he was bathing in the river, a crocodile seized his leg and began dragging him into deep water.
Hearing his cry, Karva ran to him and, by the power of her devotion, bound the crocodile with a raw cotton thread so tightly that it could not move. Then she called upon Yamaraja.
When Yamaraja appeared, Karva prayed that he punish the crocodile and save her husband. Citing Chitragupta's record, Yamaraja said the crocodile still had years of life left. Then Karva said that if he did not save her husband, she would curse him.
Moved by the power of her devotion and fearing her curse, Yamaraja sent the crocodile to his realm and blessed her husband with long life. Since then married women keep this vrat remembering Karva Mata and pray: O Karva Mata, as you protected your husband, protect the husbands of all.
3. The story of Draupadi
Once Arjuna went to the Nilgiri mountain to do penance, and in his absence many troubles fell on the Pandavas. Worried, Draupadi asked Lord Shri Krishna how to be free of them.
Shri Krishna told her that Mother Parvati had once asked Lord Shiva the same question, and Shiva had told her of the Karva Chauth vrat. On Krishna's advice Draupadi kept this vrat properly on Kartik Krishna Chaturthi, and by its power the Pandavas' troubles were removed.
4. The story of Ganesh ji (after the main katha)
In a village lived a blind old woman with her son and daughter-in-law. Every day she worshipped Ganesh ji with devotion. One day Ganesh ji, pleased, appeared and said, “Mother, ask for whatever you wish.”
She asked her son and daughter-in-law what to ask for. The son said wealth, the daughter-in-law said a grandson, and she herself wished for her eyesight. So she said to Ganesh ji, “Lord, grant that I may see my grandson drinking milk from a golden bowl, that the house be full of wealth and grain, that we stay free of illness, and that every wife's husband live long.”
Ganesh ji smiled and said, “Mother, in one wish you have asked for everything,” said ‘tathastu’ (so be it) and vanished. Her sight returned and her home was filled with happiness and plenty. O Ganesh ji, as you gave to the old mother, give to all.
29. Karwa Puja & Baya
The karva is a symbol of lasting marital happiness; the bayna brings the blessings of elders.
Fill the clay karva with water, place sugar/rice on the lid, mark it with roli and worship it; after the katha, give the bayna (clothes, adornments, sweets) to your mother-in-law and take her blessings.
Samagri: Clay karva (with lid), roli/kumkum, sweets, the sixteen adornments
30. Aarti / Nirajanam
Kadaligarbhasambhutam Karpuram Tu Pradipitam | Arartikyamaham Kurve Pashya Me Varada Bhava ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Arartikyam Samarpayami ||
With lighted camphor I perform the aarti — look upon me and be the giver of boons.
Wave the aarti plate of camphor or ghee 4 times at the deity's feet, 2 times at the navel, once at the face and 7 times over the whole form; sing the aarti while ringing the bell.
Samagri: Aarti plate, camphor, bell
31. Moon Darshan & Arghya
Om Somaya Namah | Arghyam Samarpayami ||
I offer arghya to the Moon god and pray for marital happiness.
At moonrise, look through a sieve first at the moon and then at your husband's face; offer arghya to the moon with water from the karva; break the fast by taking water from your husband's hand.
Samagri: Sieve, clay karva (with lid), ghee lamp with cotton wick
32. Mantra Pushpanjali
Nanasugandhapushpani Yathakalodbhavani Cha | Pushpanjalirmaya Datto Grihana Parameshvari ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Mantrapushpanjalim Samarpayami ||
This handful of many fragrant seasonal flowers I offer — O Supreme, accept it.
Standing, take flowers in joined palms and offer them at the deity's feet.
Samagri: Fresh flowers
33. Pradakshina
Yani Kani Cha Papani Janmantarakritani Cha | Tani Sarvani Nashyantu Pradakshinapade Pade ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Pradakshinam Samarpayami ||
Whatever sins were committed in past lives, may they be destroyed with every step of this circumambulation.
Turn clockwise in your place (or walk around the murti) in pradakshina — count: 1 (Devi).
34. Sashtanga Pranama
Namah Sarvahitarthaya Jagadadharahetave | Sashtango'yam Pranamaste Prayatnena Maya Kritah ||
Om Shivayai Namah | Namaskaran Samarpayami ||
Salutations to you who are for the welfare of all and the support of the world — this full prostration I make with effort.
Bow in full prostration (sashtanga), or bow your head with joined hands.
35. Kshama Prarthana
Avahanam Na Janami Na Janami Visarjanam | Pujam Chaiva Na Janami Kshamasva Parameshvari || Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshvari | Yatpujitam Maya Devi Paripurnam Tadastu Me ||
Anena Pujanena Shiva Devi Priyatam, Na Mama ||
I know not how to invoke, bid farewell, or worship properly — forgive me. Though lacking in mantra, rite and devotion, may my worship be complete. May the deity be pleased; the fruit is theirs, not mine.
With joined hands ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja; finally, releasing water, offer the fruit of the puja to the deity.
Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon
36. Prasada
Receiving the sanctified offering.
Take the charanamrit/prasad yourself and share it with the family.
Samagri: Naivedya (sweets/bhog)
37. Visarjanam
Yantu Devaganah Sarve Pujamadaya Mamakim | Ishtakamasamriddhyartham Punaragamanaya Cha ||
May all the gods accept my worship and depart — to fulfil my wishes and to return again.
Releasing akshat, respectfully bid farewell to the invoked deities. (An installed murti is not immersed — only the invoked presence is sent off.)
Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice)
This text is from the workbook edition; the vidhi can differ by family and regional tradition.
॥ Shri Durga Aarti ॥
Jay Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jay Shyama Gauri| Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivri|| Jay Ambe Gauri|| Mang Sindur Virajat, Tiko Mrigmad Ko| Ujjval Se Dou Naina, Chandravdan Niko|| Jay Ambe Gauri|| Kanak Saman Kalevar, Raktambar Raje| Raktapushp Gal Mala, Kanthan Par Saje|| Jay Ambe Gauri|| Kehri Vahan Rajat, Khadg Khappar Dhari| Sur-Nar-Munijan Sevat, Tinke Duhkhahari|| Jay Ambe Gauri|| Kanan Kundal Shobhit, Nasagre Moti| Kotik Chandr Divakar, Sam Rajat Jyoti|| Jay Ambe Gauri|| Shumbh-Nishumbh Bidare, Mahishasur Ghati| Dhumr Vilochan Naina, Nishidin Madmati|| Jay Ambe Gauri|| Chand Mund Sanhare, Shonit Bij Hare| Madhu Kaitabh Dou Mare, Sur Bhay Bin Kare|| Jay Ambe Gauri|| Brahmani, Rudrani, Tum Kamla Rani| Agam-Nigam Bakhani, Tum Shiv Patrani|| Jay Ambe Gauri|| Chaunsath Yogini Mangal Gavat, Nrity Karat Bhairu| Bajat Tal Mridanga, Aru Bajat Damru|| Jay Ambe Gauri|| Tum Hi Jag Ki Mata, Tum Hi Ho Bharta| Bhaktan Ki Duhkh Harta, Sukh Sampatti Karta|| Jay Ambe Gauri|| Bhuja Char Ati Shobhit, Khadg Khappar Dhari| Manvanchhit Phal Pavat, Sevat Nar Nari|| Jay Ambe Gauri|| Kanchan Thal Virajat, Agar Kapur Ki Bati| Shri Malketu Men Rajat, Koti Ratan Jyoti|| Jay Ambe Gauri|| Shri Ambeji Ki Arti, Jo Koi Nar Gave| Kahat Shivanand Svami, Manvanchhit Phal Pave|| Jay Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jay Shyama Gauri||