Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth: Mythology Associated

In Hinduism, all the festivals and rituals have a story of immense significance. Like any other festival celebrated in India, Karva Chauth has some exciting story tales that make it more fascinating and religious.

• The Story Of Karwa Devi

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), Karva 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 her courage and intense love for her husband, Yamraj agreed to give back her husband's life and send the crocodile to hell.

• Satyavan And Savitri

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.

Karwa Chauth: Significance

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 family members 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.

• Why Is Karwa Chauth Nirjala Vrat Important?

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 are adorned beautifully by wearing bright-coloured sarees, jewellery, bangles, mehendi, bindi, and sindoor for their husbands.

Karwa Chauth: Rituals and Remedies

Karwa Chauth is a festival of great significance for every married woman. Thus, knowing the correct rituals and remedies for this day is important. These are as follows:

• Karva Chauth Rituals

Mentioned below are the rituals for the Karva Chauth puja time. These are the general rituals that are performed throughout India for this festival. However, there might be some changes in them based on regional preference.

1. Sargi: It 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.
2. Baya: 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.
3. Fast: The married woman wakes up early before the sun rises and offers prayers. They observe the fast starting from sunrise to the moonrise. Moreover, women fast for the entire day without eating or drinking anything.
4. 16 Shringar: The womens who are married observe the fast and get ready like a newlywed bride. They get adorned with all Solah Shringar (16 adornments), which includes all the sixteen things that are: Bindi, Sindoor, Kajal, Nose Pin, Necklace, Bangles, Mehendi, Aarsi, Bichua, Kesha Pasha Rachana, Karna Kundal, Bajubandh, Payal, Mehendi On Feet, Bichhiya, and Bridal Outfit.
5. Katha Path: All the womens sit together to listen to Karwa Chauth katha, which reminds them of the importance and story tales of Karva Chauth vrat puja. However, in some regions, the Katha path is done after the sieve ritual.
6. Sieve Ritual: 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 (Chalni) so that they look at the Moon.

• Karwa Chauth Remedies For Longevity Of Husband

Karwa Chauth is a festival that is an important and auspicious day in the Hindu calendar. It is believed that performing specific remedies on this day can help a person attain the blessings of the divine. The remedies for the longevity of a husband are as follows:

1. On the day of Karwa Chauth, devotees can offer ghee and jaggery to Ganpati Bappa to solve all their marriage problems.
2. 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.
3. Chant 'Om Umamaheshwarabhyam Namah' and offer prayers to goddess Durga to bring peace, happiness and success in a relationship.

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