Karwa Chauth is one of the most significant festivals in India. This traditional festival is celebrated every year, on the fourth day of the month of 'Karthik'. Extremely popular in North India, Karwa Chauth is celebrated by married Hindu women. The Hindu wives dress in exquisite clothing, adorn theirs hands with henna designs and ornament themselves in jewellery as part of the Karwa Chauth celebration. They observe strict fast from sunrise to sunset and offer their prayers to God, for the long lives of their husbands. After sighting the moon, the husbands offer water and food to their fasting wives to break the fast. All the members of the family will then enjoy the delicious feast prepared for the day. This unique festival is supported by many legends, which are narrated by the senior women in the family, on this special occasion. Explore the legends of Karwa Chauth in the following lines.
Karwachauth Legends
The Legend of Karwa
There was a woman named Karwa who deeply loved her husband. One day, as her husband was bathing, a crocodile caught hold of him. Hearing the screams of her husband, Karwa rushed towards her husband and bound the crocodile with a cotton yarn. In her anger, Karwa went to Yama, the Lord of Death and requested him to send the crocodile to hell. Yama refused her and the wife threatened to curse him. Yama accepted her request and sent the creature to hell and blessed Karwa's husband with a long life.
The Legend of Queen Veeravati
Long ago, there lived a beautiful Queen named Veeravati. She had seven wonderful brothers and she was married to a king. On the occasion of her first Karwa Chauth, Veeravati went to her parent's house and observed a fast the following day, as per the tradition. She desperately waited for the moon to appear as she was could not endure the severities of fasting. Her seven brothers, who could not bear to see their sister in distress, thought of a plan to trick her by reflecting a mirror through 'peepal' tree leaves. Veeravati, who believed that the moon had risen, broke her fast by taking food.
Soon after that, she received news that her husband was ill. Veeravati rushed to the king's palace and on her way, she met Lord 'Shiva' and Goddess 'Parvati'. Goddess Parvati informed Veeravati that her husband, the king, passed away as she broke her fast after sighting a false moon. The queen asked the Goddess for forgiveness and she was blessed with a boon that her king will be alive, under one condition. The condition required the queen to undertake Karwa Chauth fast again by strictly following the rituals. Veeravati followed Goddess Paravati's orders and revived her husband.
The Legend of Satyavan and Savitri
One day, Lord Yama came to procure Satyavan's soul. At that time, Satyavan's wife, Savitri begged Lord Yama to spare his life, but he refused her request. Savitri then gave up food and water, and for this reason, Lord Yama granted her any wish, except the life of her husband. She then asked the Lord of Death, to bless her with children. As she was so virtuous and devoted to her husband, Lord Yama was forced to bring Satyavan back to life so that her wish would be fulfilled.
Karwa Chauth is a very sacred occasion for all married Hindu women as this day celebrates the bond of marriage. These many legends of Karwa Chauth signifies the undying devotion and love shown by the wives towards their husbands.