The story behind Karwa Chauth Vrat

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Indian culture has always taught married women to rightly perform the customs and rituals prevailing from generations and pass on their legacy to the younger generations.

Karwa Chauth is a special festival in which married women are supposed to keep fast for a day from sunrise to moonrise, praying for their husband’s safety. 

The literal meaning of Karwa Chauth is offering Argya to the moon using an earthen pot which is known as Karwa. The exact dates and shreds of evidence pertaining to the origin of this festival are not exactly known but some stories have been passed on from generations. These stories very elaborately narrate the reason behind Karwa Chauth Vrat. 

The Tale of the Queen Veervati: 

Image Source: freepressjournal.in

A long time ago, an elegant queen named Veervati was the only sister of her seven brothers. During one of the Karwa Chauth festivals, while being at her parent’s house, she kept a fast as soon as the sun rose. 

Exhausted with hunger and thirst by the end of the day, she desperately waited for the moonrise. Seeing their sister’s condition, her caring brothers were pained and so they fixed a mirror in a Peepal tree that tricked their sister into believing that the moon has finally risen. 

Image Source: IndiaToday

Veervati, relieved at the sight of the moon, happily broke her fast. But unfortunately, the moment she broke her fast, her husband died! The report of his miserable death arrived at the helpless wife, who was completely shattered.

Image Source: Punjab Kesari

To stop her weeping, a Goddess visited her and revealed the awful trick done by her brothers. Stricken in remorse, guilty Veervati decided to make up for her mistakes and hence kept the Karwa Chauth fast with full devotion. Seeing her dedication, Yama, the lord of death finally restored the life to her husband. Then, both husband and wife lived happily ever after.

This is the complete story behind why women keep Karwa Chauth Vrat for their husband’s safety and long life.