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Why does the moon rise late on Karva Chauth 2025: Astronomy, lunar cycle and scientific significance

Karva Chauth is one of the most beloved and spiritually important festivals for married Hindu women. On this day, women observe Nirjala fast (without food or water) from sunrise to moonrise, praying for the long life, prosperity and well-being of their husbands. While the fasts and rituals are deeply rooted in devotion and tradition, a question often arises every year – why does the moon rise so late on Karva Chauth? Let’s understand both the scientific and classical reasons behind this fascinating astronomical phenomenon.

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Why does the moon rise late on Karva Chauth?

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According to Hindu scriptures, the moon that rises on Karva Chauth is no ordinary moon – it is the moon of the month of Kartik, which symbolizes the divine presence of Lord Shiva after his penance. Worshiping and seeing this moon is considered highly auspicious, as it is believed to bring blessings, harmony and prosperity to married couples.

However, in addition to this sacred symbolism, there is also a scientific explanation for the late moonrise – rooted in the moon’s orbit and its movement around the Earth.

(Also Read: Karva Chauth 2025 city-wise moonrise timing, puja muhurat and fasting timings: significance and rituals)

Science behind late moon rise

The Moon takes approximately 27.3 days to complete one complete revolution around the Earth. During this revolution it moves towards east by about 12 degrees every day.

Reasons for this eastward motion:

The Earth will have to rotate a little longer for the Moon to appear above the horizon again.

This results in the Moon rising about 48 to 50 minutes late each day.

This gradual delay in the Moon’s position explains why it appears in a different part of the sky each night and why the time of its rise varies throughout the lunar cycle.

Relationship between lunar cycle and Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth falls on the Chaturthi tithi (fourth day) of Krishna Paksha – the waning phase of the moon after the full moon (full moon).

Here’s the simple math:

The Moon rises about 48 minutes late each day.

Since Karva Chauth falls four days after Purnima, it gets delayed:
48 minutes × 4 days = 192 minutes (3 hours 12 minutes).

This means that on the night of Karva Chauth, the moon rises approximately three hours after sunset, making the wait longer for those observing the fast, but also more important spiritually.

Why does the moon sometimes appear late?

Even after calculating the time, many people find that the moon is not visible immediately. This is due to atmospheric and geographical factors such as:

Clouds or mist in the sky after monsoon.

Air pollution that obscures the horizon.

Difference in geographical location, as people in eastern India see the moon earlier than those in the north or west.

These factors can delay visibility, although technically the Moon has already risen.

(Also Read: Karva Chauth 2025: Traditional tales and folklore that celebrate eternal love and devotion)

Classical significance of Karva Chauth Moon

According to Hindu scriptures, the moon of Kartik month represents peace, purity and penance. It is believed that this moon carries the divine energy of Lord Shiva, which is a symbol of peace and strength. Therefore, when women worship the moon on Karva Chauth, it is considered as directly worshiping the divine form of Shiva – marking the end of their day-long devotion and the beginning of blessings for marital harmony.

in short

The late moon rise on Karva Chauth is a beautiful blend of astronomy and spirituality.

From a scientific point of view, this happens due to the eastward orbit of the Moon and a delay of 48 minutes every day.

Spiritually, it symbolizes the presence of Lord Shiva and is seen as a moment of divine connection and fulfillment for married women.

So, the next time you look up at the sky on Karwa Chauth night, remember – the shining moon you’re waiting for isn’t just a celestial body; It is a symbol of devotion, patience and cosmic balance.

(This article is for your general information only. Zee News does not confirm its accuracy or reliability.)

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