‘Karwa Chauth’ – is one of the most auspicious and crucial festivals in Indian mythology. It is derived from the word ‘Karwa’ which means a clay pot and ‘Chauth’ which means 4th day after full moon day (Krishna Paksha) during the month of Kartik. And this earthen pot is used by women in offering water to the moon in the evening ceremony. Somewhere it is believed that women used to pray for their husbands for their protection and wellbeing when they go for distant war, whereas in many places it is associated with the wheat sowing season which means the beginning of the Rabi crop cycle. It is the festival of North India in which women keep fasting the whole day for the long life of their husbands. It starts from sunrise to moonrise.

It holds great significance in Hindu culture. Women observe fasting and pray to Goddess Gauri to get blessings for a happy and long married life. Karwa Chauth is mentioned in Mahabharat, where Lord Krishna asked Draupadi to observe fasting of Karwa Chauth for Arjun’s wellbeing before he went to battle.

Karwa Chauth is associated with the story of Queen Veeravati and this story highlights the power of devotion. Queen Veeravati is the only sister among 8 siblings. She is very dearest to her brothers. After she got married, she had decided to observe the Vrat of Karwa Chauth. At that time she was in her Father’s house. But when the Vrat began and the day progressed she started feeling weak and exhausted. And font due to hunger and thirst. Her brothers’ can’t tolerate their sister’s distress and had planned to end her fast as soon as possible to reduce their sister’s discomfort.

The brothers have planned to create an illusion of moon rise so that their sister will finish her fast and have some food.

Veeravati was tricked into believing that the moon had risen and she broke her fast prematurely. And after ending her fast she gets the news that her husband is no more. She rushed to her husband’s palace and on the way she was encountered by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. They both explain the truth and reveal the reason for her husband’s death. Goddess Parvati instructed Queen Veeravati to observe the fast of Karwa Chauth once again and she did it wholeheartedly. As a result her king got alive with the blessings of Maa Parvati.

Rules and Rituals of Karwa Chauth

• Women wake up before sunrise, take bath and get ready to have sargi.
• Sargi: The day begins with consuming a pre-fast meal called Sargi. This thali includes – sweet, fruits, dry fruits and some other traditional dishes. And this sargi is prepared by mother-in-law for daughter-in-law.
• This fast can be performed only by married women according to ancient belief. After having sargi they will not eat or drink anything until fast, not even a single drop of water.
• The fast will end only after the moon is sighted. But in case if a woman is pregnant, ill or some other reason they can end it before the moon is sighted.
• Women apply heena mehandi on their hands and feet. Wear a new saree and suits. In some places it is a ritual to have chunari of their marriage, it seems to be auspicious to have that while Karwa Chauth rituals.
• Women decorate their homes and mother-in-laws also give jewellery to their daughter-in-law as love or some other gift.
• In the evening they get ready and are prepared for puja and sit in a group to listen to the Karwa Chauth Katha.
• They worship Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva to seek blessings for the longevity of their married life.
• After moon sighted they do arti of moon, light a diya, offer water to moon and view it through a sieve. Then she turned to look at her husband’s face through that sieve and tied the mauli thread in the wrist of her husband. Then the husband broke his wife’s fast by giving her water and sweets.
• Then the woman thanks Goddess Parvati for giving strength to complete the fast without having a single drop of water. Then seek blessings from her husband too.
• There are little changes in rules for newly married women.

These are some rituals that are followed in Karwa Chauth. It is the festival that shows the bonding of family members and especially with husbands. After having a long fast for husband and ending it with sipping water through his hand signifies the harmony and respect in their relationship for each other. It symbolizes their togetherness. The historical story of Karwa Chauth and the importance of it till this era represents the valuable lessons of commitment, gratitude, self-discipline, devotion and respect for life partners. It impacts on many couples in creating love and affection in their relationship. In India it is not only a festival, in fact it is much more than that. People celebrate to strengthen their relationship and make their marital bonds continue to be cherished.

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