Karwa Chauth 2025: Why Women Use a Chalni to See Their Husband’s Face – Ritual Meaning & Common Mistakes

Sonali Singh
Oct 6
3 min read

Why do women use a chalni to see their husband on Karwa Chauth 2025? Discover the Sanatangyan ritual meaning, spiritual significance, and common mistakes to avoid during this sacred fast.

In Sanatangyan tradition, Karwa Chauth is a celebration of the bond between a husband and wife. Women observe a fast till moonrise, praying for their husbands’ well-being and prosperity. One of the most iconic moments of the festival is when women see the moon and their husband’s face through a chalni (sieve). But have you ever wondered why this ritual is done or what common mistake can make your vrat less auspicious? Let’s explore the spiritual, symbolic, and Sanatangyan meaning behind this ancient custom.

When Is Karwa Chauth 2025?

This year, Karwa Chauth will be observed on October 10, 2025 (Friday).

Puja Muhurta: 05:58 PM to 07:11 PM
Fasting Period: 06:08 AM to 08:36 PM

Women observing this fast wake up early before sunrise to eat sargi—a pre-dawn meal given by mothers-in-law—and then fast the entire day without water or food. The fast continues until Chandra Darshan (moon sighting), when they finally break their fast after seeing their husband’s face through a sieve.

Why Do Women Use the Chalni During Karwa Chauth?

If you’ve seen Karwa Chauth scenes in Bollywood movies, you know that the most heartwarming moment is when the wife looks at the moon through a chalni (sieve) and then at her husband. But have you ever wondered why this sieve is used?

In the Sanatangyan perspective, every ritual object has a spiritual meaning. The chalni is more than just a tool. It symbolizes purity, focus, and divine filtering. The mesh of the chalni shows how a devotee separates worldly distractions. It helps them focus on spiritual clarity.

According to the Vedic Shashtra, the moon represents calmness, emotions, and divine grace. When a woman looks at it through a sieve, she symbolically filters out negativity. She absorbs only the positive energy of the moon. Turning the sieve toward her husband’s face shows that she is sending this calm, divine energy to him. It is a way of praying for his health, happiness, and long life.

As said in the Rigveda (10.85.45):

“सर्वं जीवं पतिव्रता भर्तारं देवरूपवत्।”

“A devoted wife sees her husband as divine and prays for his well-being through sacred observances.”

This verse perfectly shows the Sanatangyan meaning of Karwa Chauth. It teaches that love goes beyond material things. It becomes a spiritual offering.

The Sieve as a Veil and Symbol

According to traditional beliefs, women once covered their faces with ghoonghat (veil) during rituals. Since Karwa Chauth Puja is dedicated to Chandra Dev, the sieve acts like a spiritual veil — delicate enough to see through yet sacred enough to maintain modesty and sanctity.

Some families perform the ritual by placing a diya (lamp) on the sieve, a symbol of the light of dharma and love. It guides a married woman on her spiritual journey, and the lamp warming sheplies the light of celebration and joy.

“तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय।” — Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28

Translation: “Lead me from darkness to light.”

Just as the sieve filters out the darkness, love, faith, and devotion can illuminate a soul and guide a person from spiritual ignorance. This is a timeless Sanatangyan truth.

Don’t Make This Common Mistake During Karwa Chauth Puja

Many women, in their excitement, look directly at the moon before performing the complete ritual. But Sanatangyan shashtra warns against this. The correct sequence is:

Offer Arghya (water) to Chandra Dev.
See the moon through the chalni.
Then look at your husband through the same chalni.
Finally, break the fast by taking water or food from your husband’s hand.

Breaking the sequence can reduce the spiritual energy of the ritual. Observing the vows in the correct manner brings blessings from Chandra Dev, the moon God, and strengthens the bond between husband and wife.

For Those Observing Their First Karwa Chauth

If this is your first Karwa Chauth, remember it is more than just fasting. It is a celebration of faith. It is also about patience and love.

Drink plenty of water and fluids the day before.
Opt for traditional attire in shades of red, maroon, or pink that mark the colors of marital bliss.
Participate in the community puja. It is a narrative of devotion as we recount the stories of ancient queens, sadhus, and gurus and the deep-rooted faith and devotion they had.

In simple terms, the chalni in Karwa Chauth 2025 is more than just a ritual tool. It represents purity. It also symbolizes focus and devotion. By observing the vrat correctly, women honor the sacred Sanatangyan tradition, channel divine energy, and strengthen the spiritual bond with their husbands, turning love into a timeless, sacred offering.