History of Karva Chauth fastImage Credit source: PTI
Origin of Karwa Chauth Vrat: The festival of Karva Chauth is one of the most important festivals for married women in Indian culture. Celebrated on the Chaturthi date of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, this fast is observed for the long life, health and good fortune of the husband. Women keep a waterless fast on this day and break their fast only after offering Arghya to the moon at night. But how did the celebration of this holy festival begin? The tradition of Karva Chauth is centuries old and there are many interesting mythological stories behind it.
Beginning of Karva Chauth: The story of the war between gods and demons
According to mythology, once a fierce war broke out between gods and demons. The war was so terrible that the gods started getting defeated. All the gods became worried and approached Brahmadev for help. Brahmadev told the wives of the gods the solution to overcome this crisis. He said that all the god wives should observe a strict fast and pray with true heart for the victory and safety of their husbands on the Chaturthi day of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month.
As per the orders of Brahmadev, all the god wives observed this fast. Due to his unbroken good fortune and true faith, the gods won the war. When the news of the victory of the gods was received, the god wives broke their fast. At that time the moon had also appeared in the sky. It is believed that since then the tradition of observing this fast started by married women to pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands. This is the reason why the fast is broken on this day by looking at the moon.
Story of Courageous Karva
Karva Chauth Another mythological story behind the name is of a courageous woman named Karwa, who took back her husband’s life from Yamraj on the strength of her patriotism. According to the story, Karva loved her husband very much. Once her husband was bathing in the river when a crocodile caught hold of his leg. Karva, with the power of his patriotism, tied the crocodile with a raw thread and prayed to Yamraj, the god of death. Karva asked Yamraj to punish the crocodile and give life to her husband. When Yamraj refused, Karva threatened to curse him.
Yamraj became frightened after seeing Karva’s unwavering love, courage and chastity. Yamraj sent the crocodile to Yamlok and blessed Karva’s husband with a long life. It is believed that after this incident, this fast was named Karva Chauth after Karva and this fast became a symbol of protection of the husband.
story of veervati
Another story is about a queen named Veeravati, who had to suffer heavy consequences for breaking the fast of Karva Chauth. Veeravati was the only beloved sister of her seven brothers. When she observed Karva Chauth fast for the first time after marriage, she became very distressed due to hunger and thirst. The brothers could not see their sister’s plight and by deceit they lit a lamp on the hill and made it look like the moon. Veeravati considered it to be the moon and broke her fast by offering Arghya. Her husband died due to wrong breaking of fast. Veeravati was extremely saddened by this incident.
When Veeravati came to know the truth, she observed the Chaturthi fast for the whole year and duly observed the fast on the next Karva Chauth. Chauth Mata was pleased with his love and devotion and her husband got life again. It is believed that since then the tradition of looking at the moon through a sieve has been going on so that any kind of confusion or deception can be avoided.
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and mythology. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.