Interesting Facts About Karva Chauth You Might Not Know

Karva Chauth is a Hindu festival celebrated with much pomp and show majorly in North India. The festival is believed to reinforce the love between married couples and is a very auspicious day in every married woman’s life.

The celebrations begin prior to sunrise with sargi that every mother-in-law gives to her daughter-in-law. The sargi comprises of food items and is consumed before the sun rises. The sun rays mark the beginning of the Karva Chauth fast in which the woman is not supposed to eat and drink anything until the moon comes out. This fast is said to ensure the good health and long life of her husband.

Karva Chauth also comes with the symbolic tradition of applying henna on the hands and dressing up in traditional clothes waiting for the moon. Once the moon is out, the fast comes to an end.

But there are some unknown facts about Karva Chauth that make this day even more special. Read on to know:

1. Karva is a translation of a small earthen pot of water and chauth is known as 'fourth' in Hindi which signifies that the festival falls on the fourth day of the month of Kartik. It is celebrated nine days prior to Diwali.

2. The fast is not only believed to protect the husband but is also scientifically proven to help the woman’s body. It establishes self-control and focus and purifies her digestive system.

3. Karva Chauth is associated with the story of a queen called Veervati. Veeravati had come to her parents’ house for her first Karva Chauth and followed a strict fast on this day. Being the only sister of seven brothers, her thirst and hunger became unbearable and her brothers could not see their sister in such a condition. To prevent her from falling sick, they created a fake reflection of the moon and seeing the same Veeravati broke her fast. As soon as she did so, news arrived that her King died. She fasted all over again and told the Goddess how she had been bluffed by her brothers. Seeing her love and devotion, her King was brought back to life.

4. Another story that gave birth to the tradition of Karva Chauth is that of a woman called Karva who loved her husband unconditionally and did everything possible for his health and happiness. This intense love gave her certain spiritual powers and she used them by saving her husband from a crocodile while he was bathing in the river. She threatened to curse Yama and made the God send the crocodile to hell. The day is dedicated to her devotion.

5. Unmarried women who keep the Karva Chauth fast do not have to wait for the moon to shine. They can eat something and break the fast as soon as the sun sets and the stars are visible in the sky.

6. On this day, all married women also listen to a prayer called the ‘katha’ with an earthen pot filled with water kept in the center. Every woman carries with her a thali which is exchanged in a particular pattern as a part of the prayer.



We hope this Karva Chauth brings along a lot of happiness and prosperity.