About Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is one of the important festivals in Hinduism which is observed by married women especially in the northern region of the country. This festival falls in the month of Kartik on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha on the dark fortnight. The word ‘Karwa’ means ‘pot’ and the word ‘Chauth’ literally means ‘fourth’. Thus, Karwa Chauth means making an offering to the Moon using a Karwa (earthen pot).
Another meaning of Karwa Chauth is to offer Argya (water in an earthen pot) to the moon. The origin of Karwa Chauth festivities is said to come into existence in the north-western regions of the country. This festival is also celebrated in cities like Multan and Lahore.
Why do Indian married women observe fast on Karwa Chauth?
On the day of Karwa Chauth Indian married women observe fast for the longevity and well-being of their husbands. They pray to Lord Ganesha as it falls on a Chaturthi and also to Lord Shiva, Parvati, Lord Kartikeya and Moon God to safeguard their husband.
What to do on a Karwa Chauth
- On Karwa Chauth, married women observe fast for an entire day. They do not eat or consume water till the moon rises in the sky.
- They wake up early in the morning, freshen up take bath and wear beautiful clothes and jewellery and get ready.
- Before sunrise, the married women consume ‘Sargi’. Sargi is a healthy food that is prepared by the mothers-in-law of the married women and offered to them. Sargi involves a healthy protein-filled diet that keeps the stomach fuller.
- Women also consume a lot of water and milk before the sunrise to keep their bodies hydrated so that they do not feel giddy.
- Days prior to the Karwa Chauth women begin shopping for clothes, jewellery, cosmetics, Karwa and other necessary items for the Karwa Chauth pooja
- Once the sun rises married women engage themselves in community activities. Married women from the vicinity meet each other, visit temple together, draw Mehendi on each other’s palms and sing devotional songs or aartis.
- In the evening, women gather at one place, especially in someone’s house and offer baya (a gift basket comprising of almonds and other Shringar items of a Suhagan aa married women) to each other.
- Women prepare the aarti thali comprising of round flour strainer also known as aata, chalni or channi in Hindi, earthen diya with ghee and dipped cotton wick, sindoor, sweet, akshat, and water-filled karwa and a glass of water
- When the moon rises, women offer Arghya (water) to the moon. The husband of respective ladies stand facing their spouse and then the women place a lit diya on the strainer and sees the moon and then her husband through the channi and takes blessings from him. The husband in return offers them water to drink thus breaking their fast and feeds them a morsel of sweet from the aarti thali. The husbands also surprise their respective wives by offering gifts and presents on this occasion.
Significance of Karwa Chauth
One of the significance is to pray for the long life of the husbands by observing fast. The second significance of this festival is that during the early times’ young girls got married at an early age and were sent to their in-law’s homes along with their husbands. At the in-law’s place, they often missed the house and had to bear all the responsibilities of a married woman and take care of the house. So in order to kill the loneliness and to make new friends, this festival came to be celebrated. On this occasion, women from the neighbourhood and surrounding vicinity came together, spoke to each other and indulged into the festivities.
Legends of Karwa Chauth
There are many legends revolving around Karwa Chauth, let us look at some of them to get a clear picture of why this festival is observed and how significant it is for a married woman to observe this festival according to Hinduism.
According to one legend there lived a woman named ‘Karwa’ who lived in a far of village with her husband. She loved her husband a lot and was completely devoted to him. Just as a part of the normal routine, her husband went to the nearby river to bathe. As he was bathing a crocodile attacked him and killed him. After learning about her husband, Karwa ran to the river and courageously jumped over the crocodile holding a cotton yarn. As she jumped, she called out to Lord Yama with pure devotion. Pleased with her devotion and love towards her husband Yama put life into her husband and sent the crocodile away.
According to another legend, a long time ago there was an elegant and pretty Queen Veervati. She was the only girl child to her parents and the only sister to her seven brothers. Her parents and siblings loved her a lot and also cared for her. She was happily married and loved her husband dearly. On one of the Karwa Chauth festival, she was at her parent’s house. According to the rituals and customs she observed fast for the whole day. At evening she was eagerly waiting for the moon to rise. While waiting she was feeling very hungry and wished that the moon rose earlier. Looking at her state, Queen Veervati’s brothers felt sorry for her and wished her that she could break her fast and eat some food and drink some water as she had not eaten or drunk anything since morning. Her brothers created a mirror in the Peepal tree that made it look like a moon from a distance. In order to break her fast and end her misery all rushed to Veervati and lied to her saying ‘look the moon is up’ hearing this Queen Veervati offered Arghya to the moon and broke her fast. As soon as she broke her fast by eating a morsel of the food she got the news that her husband died. Veervati started crying and this is when a Goddess showed up in front of her and told her that her brothers had tricked her into breaking the fast. On hearing, this Queen Veervati again observed the Karwa Chauth fast and this time she did it with complete devotion and without being distracted by temptation of eating something. Lord Yama got really impressed looking at her devotion and he put restored the life of her husband.