When is Karwa Chauth 2025?

Karwa Chauth, one of the most significant Hindu festivals, is celebrated with great enthusiasm, especially by married women in the northern parts of India. In 2025, Karwa Chauth falls on the 10th of October. As for the auspicious time for the puja, the muhurat starts at 5:57 PM and lasts till 7:11 PM. The nirjala vrat holds both spiritual and emotional significance. Typically, women observe a day-long fast and pray for their husband’s health and long life.

Why is Karwa Chauth Celebrated?

Historically, Karwa Chauth traces back to Rajput traditions where women fasted and prayed for the safety of their husbands, especially during military campaigns. To date, married women observe the traditions that involve a nirjala vrat, i.e. fasting without food and water. They break their fast after the moon rises, pray, and demonstrate their love and commitment.

What is Sargi, and why is it Important?

Sargi is the meal that women have before the sunrise on the day of Karwa Chauth. It is a festive thali which is traditionally prepared by the mother-in-law of the fasting woman. Marking the official start to the Karwa Chauth vrat, Sargi is important as it provides sustenance for the fast from sunrise to sunset.

Essential Items for a Traditional Sargi Thali

A traditional Sargi thali has the following essential items:

  1. Pheni: Pheni, or phirni, is a rich pudding made in simmered milk for a traditional Sargi.
  2. Fruits: Add seasonal fruits like pomegranates, bananas, apples, etc. to your Karwa Chauth thali.
  3. Nuts: For a continuous source of energy on Karwa Chauth, add dry fruits and nuts to the thali.
  4. Coconut: Be it coconut water or fresh coconut, make the hydrating fruit a part of your Sargi.
  5. Paratha: You can make a paratha with your favourite filling and eat it before sunrise.
  6. Mathri: Mathri is a crunchy snack that is traditionally a part of Sargi.
  7. Beverages: Beverages like milk, lassi, or tea are a must-add before the nirjala vrat.

Easy & Healthy Sargi Recipes for Karwa Chauth 2025

Here are some easy and nutritious recipes you can add to the Sargi thali on Karwa Chauth 2025:

  1. Pheni Kheer: Made with pheni, milk, sugar, and a lot of dry fruits and nuts, pheni is a Karwa Chauth essential.
  2. Stuffed Paratha: To make sure you’re full for a longer time, make a stuffed paratha for Sargi.
  3. Dry Fruit Ladoo: As for something sweet, easy to make, and healthy, nothing’s better than a dry fruit ladoo.
  4. Fruit & Yoghurt Bowl: You can quickly make a bowl filled with yoghurt and chopped seasonal fruits before sunrise.

Vrat-Friendly Meals to Eat After Breaking the Fast

After fasting all day long, here are some meals that you can devour:

  1. Dal and Paratha: Traditionally, in Indian households, dal is made with rice to break the fast.
  2. Moong Dal Khichdi: For a lighter option, you can make moong dal khichdi and pair it with dahi.
  3. Paneer Tikka: Grill some paneer cubes with chopped veggies and have paneer tikka.
  4. Sabudana Khichdi: Incorporate the vrat-friendly ingredient, sabudana and make khichdi.
  5. Kheer or Phirni: To end the meal on a sweet note, you can make kheer or phirni.

Healthy Cooking Tips for Karwa Chauth

Since Karwa Chauth involves long fasting hours, you must eat something healthy to sustain through the day in the morning, and have something easy on the gut at night. Here are some cooking tips to follow.

  1. Use less ghee and oil, and instead of frying, roast, steam, or air-fry.
  2. Balance the sweet and savoury food options to keep your stomach at ease.
  3. Include nuts and seeds in your meals for sustained energy.
  4. Don’t eat spicy food to avoid acidity while fasting.
  5. Keep yourself hydrated with water-rich foods like coconut, watermelon, milk, curd, etc.

Regional Variations of Karwa Chauth Food Traditions

While Karwa Chauth is celebrated across the country, there are some regional variations.

  1. Punjab: Sargi thali often includes pheni, parathas, dry fruits, and lassi.
  2. Rajasthan: Sweets like ghevar and mohanthal, and snacks like mathri are staples.
  3. Uttar Pradesh: Women usually prepare puris and aloo sabzi to break the fast.
  4. Delhi & Haryana: Dal, paneer-based dishes, and kheer are a part of the post-fast meal.

Best Karwa Chauth 2025 Gift Ideas for Loved Ones

  1. For wives: Sarees, flowers, chocolates, sweets, gourmet sweets, or customised gifts are great.
  2. For husbands: Wallets, personalised gift baskets, perfumes, gourmet chocolates and sweets.
  3. For parents: Kitchenware, cookware, sweet boxes, recipe books, etc.

Festive Décor & Dining Table Ideas for Karwa Chauth

  1. Table Décor: Decorate the table with red and gold cloths, floral arrangements, diyas, and other traditional centrepieces.
  2. Lighting: Fairy lights, diyas, and candles can add a festive touch.
  3. Aesthetics: Add sindoor containers, brass utensils, and embroidered napkins for Karwa Chauth aesthetics.

Prestige Appliances to Simplify Karwa Chauth Cooking

The elaborate meals and sweets for festivities can be intimidating, but you can handle everything like a pro with these Prestige appliances:

  1. Prestige Air Fryer: From mathris to pakoras, you can enjoy the fried snacks guilt-free.
  2. Prestige Pressure Cooker: Decrease the cooking time for dals, curries, pulao, etc.
  3. Prestige Mixer Grinder: Prepare chutneys and batters in a jiffy.
  4. Prestige Induction Cooktop: Speed up the cooking processes and make your time in the kitchen a breeze.
  5. Prestige Cookware Sets: Get the non-stick pans, kadhais, cookers, etc, for gifting and healthier cooking.

Conclusion: Celebrate Karwa Chauth with Love, Food & Thoughtful Gifts

Karwa Chauth is more than fast. It's unconditional love, faith, and celebration that make the festival truly joyous. From preparing Sargi thali, waiting for the moon, breaking the fast, to unique traditions, married couples wait for Karwa Chauth every year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What foods should be avoided during the Karwa Chauth fast?

A. Avoid spicy food, packaged foods, sweets laden with too much sugar, and caffeinated beverages.

2. What time should Sargi be eaten?

A. Sargi is traditionally eaten before sunrise, usually around 4 AM in the morning.

3. What is an ideal post-fast meal?

A. Dishes that are easy on the gut like khichdi, paneer bhurji, jeera aloo, raita, coconut water, and salad are ideal to break the fast.