Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth is one of the most widely celebrated festivals for married Hindu women. “Karva” means an earthen pot, and “Chauth” means the fourth day of the lunar fortnight. The day begins with a pre-dawn meal (Sargi), followed by a strict fast (Nirjala Vrat), an evening puja with the Karva Chauth Katha, and the breaking of the fast after sighting the moon.

Today the festival also expresses love and mutual commitment between spouses. Many husbands now fast alongside their wives, and unmarried women sometimes observe it hoping for a good partner.

1)Queen Veeravati: The best-known tale is about Veeravati, the only sister of seven brothers. She fasted for the first time after marriage, and her brothers, unable to bear her hunger, deceived her with a false moon (a mirror’s reflection or a fire behind a tree). She broke her fast, and her husband, the king, died at once. Veeravati prayed with deep devotion, and Goddess Parvati restored her husband to life, which is why the fast is seen as bringing marital protection.

2)Draupadi and the Pandavas: According to a Mahabharata-related tradition, Draupadi observed the fast on Krishna’s advice to help Arjuna when he was in difficulty during his penance in the Nilgiri hills.

3)Karva (Karwa Dhobin): In another tale, a devoted pativrata woman named Karva saved her husband from a crocodile through the power of her devotion, and Yama granted her a boon.

1.Sargi (before sunrise): The mother-in-law traditionally gives the woman a Sargi thali of fruits, dry fruits, sweets, mathri, and a saree and shringar items. She eats before sunrise, usually between 4 and 5 AM.
2.Sankalp (morning): After bathing, she takes a vow to observe the fast with devotion, saying, “I observe this vrat for the long life and well-being of my husband.”
3.Fasting: She abstains from food and water for the whole day, spending the time in prayer, rest and bhajans.
4.Shringar (afternoon): She dresses in bridal finery, usually red or another auspicious colour, and applies sindoor, bindi, mehndi, bangles and jewellery.
5.Puja setup (evening): An image or idol of Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha and Kartikeya is installed on a clean platform or wall, with a picture of Karva Mata. A kalash of water is placed, and the karva is filled with water or grains. The puja thali is prepared with a lit diya.
6.Karva Chauth Katha: Women sit in a circle, usually with a thali, and listen to or recite the Katha. They pass their thalis to each other seven times (Pheri) while singing the Karva Chauth song.
Puja and offerings: They offer roli, rice, flowers, incense and sweets to the deities, and the karva to Karva Mata. Gifts and dakshina are given to elders and the mother-in-law, and their blessings are taken.
7.Moon sighting: After moonrise, she looks at the moon through a sieve or chhalni, then at her husband’s face.
8.Arghya: She offers water (arghya) to the moon and prays for her husband’s long life.
Parana (breaking the fast): The husband gives her the first sip of water and the first morsel of food. She then has a full meal.