The fast of Karwa Chauth is kept 9 days before
Diwali. It falls on the fourth day of the Kartik
month by the Hindu calendar (fourth day of the
waning moon or the dark fortnight). Karwa Chauth is
considered one of the most important fasts observed
by the married Hindu women. On this day the women
pray for the welfare and long life of their
husbands. It is the most important and difficult
fast observed by married Hindu women. It begins
before sunrise and ends only after offering prayers
and worshipping the moon at night.