Karwa Chauth

What is the story behind Karwa Chauth?

In Hinduism, all the festivals and rituals have some story that holds immense significance behind them. Well, like any other festival celebrated in India, even karwa chauth has some interesting story tales that make this festival more fascinating and religious.

There was a woman named Karwa who was madly in love with her husband. So, one day, her husband went to the riverside to take a bath when a huge crocodile attacked him. With the help of cotton yarn (sootee dhaaga), Karwa managed to bind the crocodile and started remembering Lord Yama, the lord of Death. She requests lord yamraj wholeheartedly to give back the life of her husband. Meanwhile, while lord Yama refused to do so, Karwa threatened Yamraj that she would destroy Yamdev. Looking at the courage and intense love for her husband, yamraj agreed to give back the life of her husband and sent the crocodile to hell.

Furthermore, another story that adds importance to Karwa Chauth rituals and celebrations is the story of Satyavan and Savitri. In this story, Yamraj, the lord of death, came to take the life of Satyavan. Savitri, being truly in love with her husband, begged lord Yama to give back his husband's life. Yamraj had made up his mind to acquire Satyavan's life, but looking at her situation, lord Yama said that she could ask for anything except her husband's life. Meanwhile, Savitri, being a clever and loyal wife, asked for children. So, Yamraj agreed to give back the life of Satyavan because she would need a husband to make children and would not agree to do any unfaithfulness towards her husband.

What is the significance of Karwa Chauth?

The significance of celebrating this festival came from ancient times when a massive group of male members used to be away from home for a long period of time. Many male members of the family used to be military forces or policemen, so the women of the family used to observe fast and pray for the safety of their husbands, who were enemies at the border. Moreover, the ancient stories also hold some importance and valid reason for observing fast and celebrating the festival of Karwa Chauth.

Moreover, Karva Chauth vrat puja is celebrated for the safety and longevity of husbands. The women offer prayers to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Karwa Mata. The women keep fast without even drinking water, which reflects the loyalty and devotion of the wives to their husbands. Moreover, the women get adorned beautifully by wearing bright-coloured sarees, jewellery, bangles, mehendi, bindi and sindoor for their husbands.

What are the Rituals and Remedies involved in Karwa Chauth?

Some of the important rituals and remedies that should be strictly followed on Karwa Chauth are mentioned below. Do read carefully so that you are well informed about it.

Karwa Chauth Rituals

• Before the Karwa Chauth celebration starts, married women apply mehandi and Alta as a sign of Suhagan (Married women). The mehandi is applied on the hand, and the Alta is applied on the feet, which adds extra elegance on the day of Karwa Chauth.
• The married woman wakes up early in the morning before the sun rises and offers prayers. They observe the fast starting from sunrise to the moon rise. Moreover, women fast for the entire day without eating or drinking anything.
• The womens who are married observe the fast and get ready like a newlywed bride. On this day, the women get adorned with a beautiful saree (the most preferred colour is red). They get adorned with all Solah Shringar (16 adornments), which includes all the sixteen things that can enhance their look on this unique and religious day.
• Before performing the puja, all the ladies gather together in one place to celebrate this festival and follow all the rituals together. As soon as all the womens get together, they look at the moon through a sieve or a see-through dupatta so that they look at the Moon.
• After that, they drink a sip of water from their husband's hand, break the Nirjala fast and pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for the long life of their husband. After this ritual is performed, all the womens sit together to listen to Karwa Chauth katha, which reminds them of the importance and story tales of Karwa Chauth puja.
• Sargi is one of the most important parts of the Karwa Chauth festival. Sargi is a huge thali or a plate full of dry fruits, saree and jewellery offered to daughters-in-law by their mothers-in-law. So, the Karwa Chauth Sargi is eaten on the day of Karwa Chauth after taking a shower and before sunrise.
• Like the mother-in-laws, offers Sargi to their daughter-in-laws. Likewise, the daughters-in-law offer Baya to their mothers-in-law, asking for their blessings. Karwa Chauth Baya is also called Pohi, which includes a plate full of dry fruits, sweets and saree.

Karwa Chauth Remedies

• On the day of Karwa Chauth, devotees can offer ghee and jaggery to Ganpati Bappa to solve all their marriage problems.
• To remove the obstacles and hurdles in a relationship, wives can make 11 Gomti chakra in boxes, which should be coloured with sindoor and placed at each corner of homes.
• Chant 'Om Umamaheshwarabhyam Namah' and offer prayers to goddess Durga to bring peace, happiness and success in a relationship.

Conclusion

So, that was all about the festival Karwa Chauth. As we celebrate different festivals, it’s very important to know their significance and the reason behind celebrating those festivals. So read everything about Karwa Chauth that can help you be well-informed. Also, read about the stories behind celebrating Karwa Chauth in 2023 to know how this festival started gaining so much popularity.