Karwa Chauth is a special festival for married women. On this day, women observe a strict nirjala vrat (fast without food or water) from sunrise to moonrise, praying for their husband’s long life. The Karwa Chauth fast is quite rigorous, and women worship Maa Karwa, praying for their husband’s health and longevity.
On this day, women perform rituals, listen to the Karwa Chauth story, and worship Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya. Special attention is given to the puja thali, which includes all the necessary items for the rituals. If you’re observing Karwa Chauth for the first time, here’s a guide on the essential items that should be included in your puja thali. Let’s take a look:
Table of Contents
Essential Items for the Karwa Chauth Puja Thali
1. Clay Karwa Pot
A clay pot (mitti ka karwa) is essential for the Karwa Chauth puja. You can make it yourself or buy one from the market. If you prefer, you may also use a brass pot, which is also considered auspicious.
2. Oil Lamp
Lighting a diya (lamp) is crucial for the puja. Have 1-2 clay lamps ready, or you can even make lamps using flour.
3. Sieve
Women observing Karwa Chauth keep a sieve to view the moon and then their husband’s face afterward. Make sure to include it in your list.
4. Water Pot (Lota)
After offering prayers to the moon in the evening, women offer Arghya (water offering) to the moon. Keep a lota (water pot) filled with water in your thali, along with a glass of water to break the fast after moonrise.
5. Kans Grass Sticks
Include Kans grass sticks in your puja thali. These are important and are placed in the pot. After use, they are kept aside for future rituals.
6. Flowers
Flowers are offered to the Moon God and Maa Karwa, so be sure to include them.
7. Clay Diyas
On Karwa Chauth, five clay diyas are worshipped as representations of Goddess Gauri. Use them during the puja.
8. Sindoor (Vermilion)
Sindoor is essential in the thali, as it is offered to the moon during the puja. Afterward, husbands traditionally apply sindoor to their wives’ hair parting.
9. Akshat (Unbroken Rice Grains)
Akshat should be included in the thali for worshipping the Moon God.
10. Sweets
Do not forget to include sweets in the thali for offering to the Moon God and Maa Karwa.
In addition to these items, include sandalwood, honey, incense sticks, raw milk, sugar, pure ghee, yogurt, kumkum, holy Ganga water, bindi, chunari (scarf), bangles, toe rings, mahawar (red alta), cotton, camphor, wheat, turmeric, and money as offerings (dakshina) in your puja thali.
These items complete your Karwa Chauth puja thali and ensure that you have everything needed for the rituals.