Once a wives-only fast, today the festival is about shared devotion, playful gestures, and new ways of saying “I choose you”

As the moon rises, a cosy terrace in Noida is illuminated by gentle fairy lights. A young woman dressed in a vibrant crimson saree peers through a sieve, sharing the moment with her husband, who still wears his office shirt and holds one too. Below, neighbours laugh together, exchanging plates of sweets and sharing joyful moments.

Thousands of WhatsApp groups are alive with photos of mehndi, beautiful outfits, and moon sightings. This is Karwa Chauth in 2025: a beautiful blend of tradition, love, equality, and a touch of humour that makes the celebration even more special.

When fasting becomes shared fun

For generations, wives bore the burden of fasting alone. Today, many men join in—not because they have to, but because they want to. Some joke about who will succumb first to hunger pains, while others quietly see it as an opportunity to show solidarity. In both cases, the act shifts from mere sacrifice to a form of companionship. “If she can skip food for me, why can’t I do the same for her?” is becoming the refrain of a more balanced partnership.

A festival that feels like a party

Once upon a time, Karwa Chauth was a quiet affair among small families, marked by whispered prayers. Now, in flats and parks across cities, it resembles a lively community celebration. Couples invite friends—married, single, or engaged—to participate in the evening puja. There are music playlists, themed decorations, and even selfie stations. It’s no longer about excluding anyone; it’s about celebrating together.

Mehndi with a personal twist

The swirls of mehndi were once mainly decorative. Today’s brides and newlyweds ask artists to include personal details: the date of their first coffee together, a skyline of the city where they met, or even a small doodle of the family dog. These playful touches transform an ancient art form into a scrapbook of love, worn on the skin for one night.

When the moon rises on screen

Not everyone can make it home for Karwa Chauth. For couples separated by work or distance, technology becomes their bridge. A laptop open on a balcony, a phone held up to the sky, a pixelated moon shared across time zones—it may sound unromantic, but for many, it’s profoundly moving. It proves that love adapts, even when geography gets in the way.

Thoughtful gifts over gold

Gone are the days when husbands instinctively reached for jewellery boxes. In 2025, gifts are smaller, sweeter, and more personal: a playlist of songs from their university days, a handwritten note, a surprise book delivery. These gestures speak louder than luxury—they say, “I know you, I remember us.”

Rethinking the fast itself

Not every couple observes the waterless fast. Some opt for lighter variations, attentive to health and well-being. They see devotion not in how long they abstain from food but in the intention behind it. The tradition adapts without breaking, allowing room for care alongside commitment.

Love, made modern

Karwa Chauth has never been solely about fasting; it has always been about connection. In 2025, that connection appears more mutual, more playful, more forgiving. Couples use the day as a pause button—to laugh, to reflect, to remember why they chose each other initially.