Every year on Karwa Chauth, also known as Karak Chaturthi, Hindu devotees mark the festival by reciting famous legends that are significant to this day.
The festival, which will be celebrated across India on 1 November, is incomplete without reciting the Karwa Chauth story.
Several married women dressed up as a bride would gather and narrate the Karwa Chauth Katha (story) in the evening.
Women primarily observe fasts to honor and channel the divine essence of the Goddess Parvati, who herself fasted to obtain Lord Shiva as her beloved husband.
Sputnik India brings to you the legends and folk tales that reveal why Hindu devotees celebrate Karwa Chauth and its significance.
Story of Veeravati
The legend of Karwa Chauth is deeply associated with the story of a beautiful queen named Veeravati. She was deeply in love with her husband and was the only sister of seven loving brothers who selflessly pampered her.
One fateful day, while visiting her home, Veeravati decided to keep a nirjala vrat, fasting without water and food, for her husband.
However, due to weakness, she couldn't bear the hunger and eventually fainted. Witnessing her condition, her brothers couldn't bear to see her suffer and pleaded with her to eat.
Despite their requests, Veeravati remained resolute, stating that she was patiently waiting for the moon to rise.
To make her break the fast, Veeravati's brothers came up with a plan. They climbed up a tree and held a flame behind a sieve, creating the illusion of the moon. Veeravati, convinced that the moon had risen, took a bite of food to break her fast, unknowingly leading to the demise of her beloved husband.
Upon hearing the news of her husband's demise, Veerawati broke down and cried vehemently and inconsolably.
Looking at her plight, Goddess Indrani, the wife of Lord Indra, arrived to console her and said that she could bring back her husband alive by observing fast every month throughout the year.
She started following Goddess Indrani's advice and prayed to Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya.
Impressed by her devotion and patience, the God of death Yama returned her husband alive.
Story of Karva Devi and Savitri
The origin of Karwa Chauth can also be traced back to a woman named Karva Devi, whose husband got attacked by a crocodile while he was taking a bath in the river.
Karwa exhibited great bravery by releasing her husband from the jaws of the crocodile but when the god of death, Yama, appeared to take her husband, Karwa refused.
Looking at her dedication, Yama gave her the blessing and increased her husband’s life.
Another important legend associated with this festival recounts the tale of Princess Savitri. She wedded Prince Satyavan, who had been banished and was foretold to pass away within a year.
Despite the prediction, Princess Savitri married him and performed deep penance to save her husband from the god of death, Yama by persuading the deity to restore his life.
Legend From The 'Mahabharata'
Another famous tale from ancient India's 'Mahabharata' era is the story of Karwa Chauth.
Based on the legend, Arjuna went to meditate in the Nilgiris mountains of the Western Ghats in Southern India, his wife Draupadi became worried and sought the help of Lord Krishna to protect him.
Lord Krishna, in response, advised Draupadi to observe a fast for Arjuna, similar to how Goddess Parvati had fasted for her husband, Lord Shiva. It is believed that Draupadi fasted for Arjuna's well-being during the Mahabharata war.
Legend has it that it was Draupadi's unwavering devotion towards her husband that ensured his safety during the war and also contributed to the victory of the Pandavas over the Kauravas.
Auspicious Time (Muhurat) for Puja
Karwa Chauth, also known as Karaka Chaturthi, is derived from two words - Karwa, which means earthen pots, and Chauth, which means the fourth day of the lunar month.
This year, the festival falls on Wednesday, 1 November.
According to the Hindu calendar Drik Panchang, the auspicious time of Karwa Chauth starts on Tuesday night at 9:30 p.m. IST and concludes on Wednesday at 9:19 p.m IST.
The fasting (vrat) time is from 6:33 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., and the moonrise time is at 8:15 p.m.