Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha

In ancient times, there lived a beautiful princess named Veeravati who had seven loving brothers. She was married to a worthy prince. On her first Karwa Chauth after marriage, Veeravati observed a strict waterless fast. As the day wore on, she grew weak and restless from hunger and thirst. When her seven brothers arrived and saw her suffering, they were deeply troubled. The brothers devised a plan to end her misery. They placed a mirror behind a pipal tree and lit a fire near it, creating an illusion of the moon rising. Veeravati believed the moon had appeared and broke her fast. As she took her first bite, she sneezed. In the second bite, she found a strand of hair. And with the third bite, news arrived that her husband had suddenly died. Veeravati was devastated and wept bitterly. Goddess Parvati then appeared before her and explained that the calamity had struck because she had broken her fast before the actual moonrise. Parvati told her that if she observed Karwa Chauth with complete devotion and proper rituals, her husband would be restored to life. Veeravati performed penance for an entire year and on the next Karwa Chauth, she fasted with full dedication and offered arghya to the moon at the proper time. Her husband was revived. Since then, married women observe Karwa Chauth for the long life and well-being of their husbands.

Begin the fast before sunrise after eating sargi. Observe a strict waterless fast throughout the day. In the evening, listen to the Karwa Chauth katha. When the moon rises, view it through a sieve, then look at your husband's face. Break the fast by drinking water from your husband's hands. Fill a karwa (earthen pot) with water and donate it.

Karwa Chauth symbolizes the unbreakable bond of love and devotion between husband and wife. Married women observe this fast for the longevity and prosperity of their husbands and a blissful married life.