Karwa Chauth is a Hindu festival celebrated by married women on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindu month of Kartik. It usually takes place in October or November. Karwa Chauth will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
Women observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise on Karwa Chauth. During this time, they do not eat or drink anything. They perform a puja (worship ritual) for Lord Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesha in the evening. Typically, the puja is performed at home with the assistance of a priest or an elderly person.
Karwa Chauth 2023 Vrat Katha In English:
According to the legend of Karwa Chauth, there was a woman named Veeravati who had seven loving brothers. They cared for her deeply, and one day, when she was visiting her parents’ home, she decided to observe a Nirjala Vrat (a fast without consuming water) for the well-being of her husband. Unfortunately, as the day progressed, Veeravati became extremely weak due to hunger and thirst. She eventually fainted.
Seeing their sister in distress, her brothers couldn’t bear to see her suffer and pleaded with her to break the fast and have some food. However, Veeravati remained determined and continued to fast, waiting for the moonrise. In a bid to help her, her brothers came up with a plan. They climbed a Pipal tree and held a flame behind a sieve, creating the illusion of the moon’s appearance. Their intention was to trick Veeravati into thinking that the moon had risen, and she could break her fast.
Tragically, Veeravati, unaware of the ruse, broke her fast without actually sighting the moon. As a consequence, her husband suffered a terrible fate and lost his life. Upon hearing this devastating news, Veeravati was overwhelmed with grief and inconsolable.
It was at this moment that Goddess Indrani, the wife of Lord Indra, came to offer solace and guidance to Veeravati. She advised Veeravati to observe similar fasts every month throughout the year, which would eventually lead to the revival of her husband’s life. Veeravati followed this counsel with unwavering patience and determination, and in the end, her husband was miraculously restored to life.
This timeless story of devotion and sacrifice is central to Karwa Chauth’s significance, representing the deep love and commitment that married Hindu women have for their husbands. They fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Karwa Mata for their spouses’ longevity and well-being. The day starts with an early morning bath, followed by Sargi before sunrise and a Nirjala Vrat throughout the day.
After the moon rises, women view it through a sieve and then their husbands, offer prayers, and partake in a meal to break their fast. During the Karwa Chauth Puja, women adorn themselves in traditional red or yellow attire, wearing symbols of married women like sindoor, bangles, and bindi. They also apply Mehendi on their hands, considering it to be an auspicious part of the celebration. This day is a testament to the deep love and devotion that bind husbands and wives in the Hindu tradition.