Karwa Chauth 2025: Can You Observe the Fast During Periods? Here Are the Rules and Traditions Explained
Can women keep the Karwa Chauth fast during their periods? Here’s what Hindu tradition says, with updated 2025 puja timings, rules, and health guidelines to follow.
Karwa Chauth 2025 will be celebrated on October 10. Here’s what women should know about fasting and rituals during their menstrual cycle.
Karva Chauth 2025 is a festival day of the married women doing fasting for their husband's long and prosperous life. This festival has a very strong cultural and emotional connection, particularly in North India. However, one issue that comes up every year is whether women can keep the Karwa Chauth fast during their periods.
🌙 Can Women Fast on Karwa Chauth On Their Periods?
The menstrual period has always been seen as a time when a woman is supposed to rest and give herself full care. In many Hindu families, females are not allowed to take part in rituals or fast for that matter during their menstrual cycle as a woman body requires nutrition and recovery. Yet, today a number of females still come to a decision to go on fasting but with particular guidelines on health and respect from the religious side.
It is possible to keep the Karwa Chauth fast during the period if you want to - but it means that you must achieve it through awareness and reverence, taking into consideration both the tradition and your health equally.
🙏 Guidelines to Follow If You’re on Periods During Karwa Chauth
If you are the one whose period date is October 10 and you still want to celebrate then keep in mind the traditional and practical tips listed here:
- Observe the fast from dawn to moonrise but don’t do the puja yourself.
- Have your mother, sister, or any other woman in the family perform the puja rituals instead of you.
- You can always stay connected and listen to the Karwa Chauth katha and pray from wherever you are.
- In case of no other woman, your husband could be the one to do the puja.
- Continue the moon worship and the ritual of offering water to break your fast as usual.
Even though this is happening and you will not be able to keep a fast on this day, you could still not sleep empty stomach. And there are occasions when not sleeping feels more comfortable without the fast.
🕓 Karwa Chauth 2025 Date, Time & Puja Muhurat
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Fasting Begins: 6:08 AM
Puja Muhurat: 5:58 PM – 7:11 PM
Moonrise: Around 8:36 PM
Women traditionally observe a nirjala vrat — a fast without food or water — from sunrise until moonrise. However, if you are on your period, experts suggest modifying the fast to avoid health complications.
🪔 Karwa Chauth Puja Samagri List 2025
To perform the Karwa Chauth puja, you’ll need:
- Akshat (unbroken rice)
- Ganga Jal
- Milk, curd, ghee
- Sugar, honey, jaggery, wheat grains
- Wooden chowki (platform)
- Clay Karwa (pitcher) with lid
- Water container
- Diya (lamp) with cotton wicks
- Kapoor (camphor) and incense sticks
- Flowers and sandalwood
- Haldi, kumkum, roli, moli/kalawa
- Betel leaves (paan patta)
- Sweets and fruits
Offerings for Deities:
- Yellow clay for making Goddess Gauri’s idol
- Cloth for dressing the idols
- Idol or image of Goddess Gauri and Lord Ganesha
💬 Final Word
While tradition advises rest during menstruation, many modern women adapt the rituals to align with their comfort and devotion. Whether or not you choose to fast during your period, the essence of Karwa Chauth lies in love, prayer, and faith — and that can be observed in any form.
