Karwa Chauth is an important Hindu fasting festival for married women. Karwa Chauth – “Karwa” is the Hindi synonym of the word pot & “Chauth” means fourth. The festival is celebrated on the fourth day of Kartik month. It is also known as Karva Chauth and Karaka Chaturthi. On this day, Married women perform fast from sunrise to moonrise for the wellness and long life of their husbands. Unmarried girls also celebrate this festival for the sake of getting the desired life partner.
Karwa Chauth Date and Muhurat
Karwa Chauth festival is widely celebrated by married women of India and is most commonly celebrated in Northern India. It falls 4 days after the full moon day (Sharad Purnima). In 2025 Karwa Chauth falls on Friday, October 10, 2025; which is the Krishna Paksha Chaturthi in the Hindu month of Kartik.
Puja Muhurat, Fasting Time and Moon-rise Time
The puja timing depends on the timing of the moon rise. Hence, in different locations, its puja timing may vary.
Karwa Chauth Story (Katha)
There are many legends of the Karwa Chauth festival. Here are some must known stories of Karwa Chauth. Among them, the story of queen Veeravati is most prominent.
Karwa Chauth Katha – The Story of Veeravati
Karwa Chauth is one of the most sacred fasts observed by married Hindu women for the long life and prosperity of their husbands. The vrat is not just a ritual but a symbol of love, sacrifice, and devotion. The most famous story associated with Karwa Chauth is that of Veeravati, the only sister of seven loving brothers.
Veeravati and Her Brothers
Long ago, in the city of Indraprasthapur, lived a Brahmin named Vedsharma and his wife Leelavati. They had seven sons and one beautiful daughter, Veeravati. Being the only sister, Veeravati was dearly loved and pampered by her parents and brothers.
When Veeravati grew up, she was married to a noble Brahmin. One year, during her stay at her parents’ home, she decided to keep the Karwa Chauth fast for the long life of her husband.
The Test of Fasting
Veeravati began her fast with devotion, but as the day went on, she grew extremely weak from hunger and thirst. By evening, she fainted. Seeing their sister suffer, her brothers’ hearts filled with worry. They knew she would not break her fast until she saw the moonrise.
So, they decided to trick her out of love. One brother climbed a tall Vat tree, holding a lamp behind a sieve. From a distance, it looked like the moon shining through the branches.
Breaking the Fast Too Soon
When Veeravati regained consciousness, her brothers told her that the moon had risen. She believed them, offered her prayers, and broke her fast.
But as soon as she ate, inauspicious signs appeared. In her first bite, she found a strand of hair. In the second, she sneezed. In the third, a messenger from her in-laws arrived, summoning her home.
When Veeravati reached her husband’s house, she was devastated to see her husband lying lifeless. She wept bitterly, blaming herself for breaking her fast incorrectly.
Goddess Indrani’s Blessing
Hearing her cries, Goddess Indrani, the wife of Lord Indra, appeared to console her. The Goddess explained,
“Veeravati, because you broke your fast without offering Arghya (water offering) to the moon, your husband has faced an untimely death.”
She then guided Veeravati to keep the Chauth vrat every month with full faith and rituals, including Karwa Chauth. With devotion and perseverance, Veeravati followed this advice.
The Power of Devotion
After many months of sincere fasting, the accumulated Punya (spiritual merit) of Veeravati’s vrat brought her husband back to life. From then on, she enjoyed a happy and blessed married life.
Significance of the Story
The Karwa Chauth Katha reminds us that this vrat is not just a ritual but a sacred bond of faith, devotion, and love between husband and wife. It teaches the importance of observing the fast with full dedication and following the rituals properly.
On Karwa Chauth, women across India and abroad remember Veeravati’s story while praying for the health, safety, and longevity of their husbands.
करवा चौथ की कथा – वीरवती की कहानी
करवा चौथ का व्रत सुहागिन स्त्रियों के लिए सबसे पावन और प्रिय व्रत माना जाता है। यह केवल एक रीति-रिवाज नहीं, बल्कि पति-पत्नी के बीच प्रेम, समर्पण और आस्था का प्रतीक है। इस व्रत से जुड़ी सबसे प्रसिद्ध कथा है वीरवती की।
वीरवती और उसके सात भाई
बहुत समय पहले इंद्रप्रस्थपुर नगर में वेदशर्मा नामक एक ब्राह्मण अपनी पत्नी लीलावती के साथ रहते थे। उनके सात पुत्र और एक लाडली पुत्री थी, जिसका नाम था वीरवती। इकलौती बहन होने के कारण वह अपने माता-पिता और भाइयों की आँखों का तारा थी।
जैसे ही वीरवती सयानी हुई, उसका विवाह एक योग्य ब्राह्मण से कर दिया गया। एक बार, विवाह के बाद जब वह मायके आई, तो उसने अपने पति की लंबी आयु के लिए करवा चौथ का व्रत रखने का निश्चय किया।
व्रत की कठिनाई
पूरा दिन निर्जला उपवास करने के कारण वीरवती कमजोर हो गई और शाम होते-होते बेहोश होकर गिर पड़ी। यह देखकर उसके भाई बहुत दुखी हुए। वे जानते थे कि उनकी बहन तब तक अन्न-जल ग्रहण नहीं करेगी, जब तक चाँद न दिखाई दे।
अपनी बहन की हालत देखकर भाइयों ने छल करने का निश्चय किया। एक भाई दूर पीपल/वट के पेड़ पर चढ़ गया और छलनी के पीछे दीपक रख दिया। दूर से देखने पर ऐसा प्रतीत हुआ मानो चाँद निकल आया हो।
भूल से व्रत तोड़ना
जैसे ही वीरवती होश में आई, भाइयों ने कहा – “बहन, चाँद निकल आया है, अब तुम व्रत तोड़ दो।”
उसने दूर से दीपक को चाँद समझ लिया, पूजा-अर्चना की और व्रत तोड़ दिया।
लेकिन जैसे ही उसने भोजन करना शुरू किया, अपशकुन होने लगे।
-
पहले निवाले में उसे बाल मिला,
-
दूसरे निवाले में छींक आई,
-
और तीसरे निवाले के बाद ससुराल से बुलावा आ गया।
जब वीरवती अपने पति के घर पहुँची, तो उसने देखा कि उसका पति मृत अवस्था में पड़ा है। यह देखकर वह विलाप करने लगी और स्वयं को दोष देने लगी।
देवी इन्द्राणी का उपदेश
तभी देवी इन्द्राणी (देवेंद्र की पत्नी) वहाँ प्रकट हुईं और वीरवती से बोलीं –
“पुत्री, तुमने बिना चाँद को अर्घ्य दिए व्रत तोड़ा है, इसी कारण तुम्हारे पति की अकाल मृत्यु हुई।”
देवी ने उसे सलाह दी कि यदि वह हर महीने चतुर्थी का व्रत पूरे नियम से रखे और करवा चौथ का व्रत भी श्रद्धा से करे, तो पुण्य के प्रभाव से उसका पति पुनः जीवित हो सकता है।
पुण्य का फल
वीरवती ने पूरी निष्ठा और श्रद्धा के साथ देवी के बताए अनुसार व्रत करना शुरू किया। धीरे-धीरे उसके व्रत का पुण्य फल फला और अंततः उसका पति पुनः जीवित हो गया। इसके बाद उसका दांपत्य जीवन सुखी और समृद्ध हो गया।
कथा का महत्व
यह कथा हमें सिखाती है कि करवा चौथ का व्रत केवल नियमों से निभाने वाली परंपरा नहीं है, बल्कि यह स्त्री के सच्चे प्रेम, त्याग और आस्था का प्रतीक है। जो स्त्रियाँ इस व्रत को विधि-विधान से करती हैं, उनके पति को दीर्घायु और स्वस्थ जीवन का आशीर्वाद मिलता है।
Other Stories
Another Karwa Chauth story states that earlier, girls used to get married, go and live with their in-laws in very remote villages. Everyone would be a stranger there for the new bride. In case she had any problems with her husband or in-laws, she would have no one to talk to or seek support from. Her own parents and relatives would be quite far and unreachable. Telephones, buses, and trains were not heard of in those days. People had to walk almost a whole day to go from one place to other.
Once the girl left her parent’s home for in-laws, she might not be back before long. Thus the custom started that, at the time of marriage, when the bride would reach her in-laws, she would befriend another woman there who would be her friend (Kangan-saheli) or sister (Dharam-Behn) for life. It would be similar to god-friends or god-sisters. Their friendship would be sanctified through a small Hindu ceremony right during the marriage. The bride’s friend would usually be of the same age (or slightly older), married into the same village (so that she would not go away) and not directly related to her in-laws (so there was no conflict of interest later). Emotionally and psychologically, it would be very healthy and comforting for the bride to have her own ‘relative’ near her.
Once the bride and this woman had become god-friends or god-sisters, they would recognize their relationship as such. They would treat each other like real sisters. During any issues later in life, involving even the husband or in-laws, these women would be able to confidently talk or seek help from each other. Moreover, the bride’s parents would treat her friend just like their own daughter. Thus Karwa Chauth started as a festival to celebrate this special bond of friendship between the brides and their god-friends.
Important Rituals of Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth Mehndi
Applying Henna in their pretty hands is something they can not skip in Karwa Chauth. In Hindu tradition, it is said that applying Henna during vrat enhances longevity, brings in spiritual enlightenment and intensifies the fertility of husbands. Howbeit, these art forms of Mehndi verily depend upon the states they belong to, the culture they follow, the region they are into and their personal choices as well as the time they have.
Karwa Chauth Sargi
Sargi is the very first ritual performed early in the morning before sunrise. Gulping every edible stuff of a special Thali- holding different types of foods and cuisines is a must-do ritual to remain fit and energetic during the day till sunset. As they cannot even have a sip of liquid after sunrise and can only break their fasts after peeking the moon, subsequent to the Karwa Chauth traditions.
Karwa Chauth Baya
In some regions, there is a ritual, conducted by mothers-in-law (saas) of sending a unique gift to their daughter-in-law (bahu) on this notable Hindu festival. This can either be an exquisite Thali containing 16 kinds of stuff (solah-shringar) or a token of love (care) through money or sweets.
Karwa Chauth Shringar
However, the fasting ritual is considered the toughest among all these ceremonial rituals because a lady cannot even gulp a single drop of water in the course of Karwa Chauth fasting till moonrise. Hence, the only way to get stressed out is to think more about looking bonzer (attractive) by beautifying yourself differently with Solah Shringar.
Narration of vrat Katha
Prior to Karwa Chauth puja, the foremost or the eldest married lady tells the fasting story (vrat Katha) to the folks present there in the vicinity, followed by a couple of solemn rituals and traditional ceremonies.
Sieving moon in the evening
The Custom of catching a glimpse of the moon is a mandatory ceremony while performing rituals during the moon-rise. The fasting lady takes a quick glance at the shining moon for the long life and prosperity of her husband.
Breaking the fast and exchanging gifts
Being one of the hardest fasts after the wedding, it does not even allow women to eat (and drink), the whole day. Therefore, they crave breaking it to have their self-made fingerlings food only after performing all the rituals and taking a glance to the moon with the strainer. They also await their loving husbands to gesture them with a gift, eventually.
Karwa Chauth Vrat Vidhi & Rituals
It is not only a fasting festival. Lots of beautiful customs and rituals are associated with it. Its preparation starts much before the day. Women buy traditional attire, shingar items, jewellery for themselves. They also purchase karwa (prominently earthen pot), sieve, matthi, etc. for Puja.
One day before, women decorate their hands with beautiful henna designs. It is said that the darker the colour of the henna, the deeper the husband loves her. Karwa Chauth Mehndi is considered auspicious; as it symbolizes prosperity and good luck.
On Karwa Chauth, women wake up early. They eat and drink before sunrise. Sargi is given by the mother in law or anyone elder in the home. It is a Punjabi name of vermicelli kheer. However, nowadays sargi is also given along with feni ( a sweet dish), matthi, shingar items, jewellery, clothes. When the day starts, the women folk spend decorating themselves. The women observe first Karwa Chauth; wear their wedding apparel and look like brides. Women get themselves ready with beautiful attire and accessories. They wear new bangles. They observe fast from sunrise till moonrise. In the evening the ladies sit in a circle and pass each other thali. Karwa Chauth story is being heard. Women worship the holy God Shiva and Goddess Parvati with ten earthen pots (Karwas) filled with sweets. After the completion of the ritual, these Karwas are distributed to daughters and sisters.
After the sighting of the Moon women break their fast. Women see the moon through a sieve and then see their husbands through the sieve. After this, the husbands give their wives their first sip of water for the day and some sweets. It is also believed that the couple enjoys a prosperous married life that lasts for as many pores as there are in the sieve. It is also said that the ritual of looking at the husband through the sieve removes all the evil effects from him. Traditionally, a gift is given to the daughter’s mother in law on her first Karwa Chauth which comprises of feeke maththis, dry fruits and gifts. The gift is also referred to as “Baya”.
Step by step Vrat Vidhi
- In the morning, retire from routine work and take resolution and start the fast.
- Do not take refreshments on the day of fasting.
- After taking bath in the morning on the day of fasting, start this Karwa Chauth fast by saying this resolution-
- At the time of worship in the morning, the fast is started with the chanting of this mantra – ‘मम सुखसौभाग्य पुत्रपौत्रादि सुस्थिर श्री प्राप्तये करक चतुर्थी व्रतमहं करिष्ये।’
- Grind the rice by making a plaque from the other on the wall of the temple of the house. Then get this solution done. This ritual is called karwa dharna.
- In the evening, sitting in the lap of the statue of Maa Parvati, Sriganesh was seated and placed on a wooden pedestal.
- Adorn the beauty of Maa Parvati with ingredients etc.
- Worship Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati and worship them by filling water in the Kore Karve.
- Luckily women fasting for the whole day and listen to the story of the fast.
- Take food and water by your husband only after seeing the moon in the evening.
- Husband, the mother-in-law, take the blessings of everyone and end the fast.
Significance of Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is observed to celebrate friendship, sisterhood and togetherness. Historically, this festival was celebrated as a prayer for the long life of soldiers in the war, and by extension, today refers to the long life of a married husband. Apart from this beautiful fasting festival has much significance. It symbolizes Love and Relationship; not only between husband and wife but also with other members of the family. It identifies the importance of a married woman in her sasural (in-laws house). Unlike other vrats; Karwa Chauth vrat is a celebration for a married woman; to showcase her love and dedication towards her life partner. Unmarried girls observe this festival for the sake of getting the desired life partner.
