When is Karva Chauth?

Karva Chauth is a major festival among the Indian culture where women play a crucial role. Although it is restricted to northern part of the India, but it is the choice women of other state to do that or not. On this day women keep fast whole day (even not drinking water) and does it for praying to god for long life of their husband and their well being. But it is not like that only women keep this fast. In many places it has been a culture that male also keep fast for long g life of their wife. 

This festival is dedicated to the most important relationship in the life of a person. A woman keeps all day long fast for her husband wellness and long life. Exactly nine days before the Diwali festival, this fast comes and celebrated on the fourth day after the full moon in the Karthik month as per the Hindu Religion Calendar. Karva Chauth full meaning is Karva means clay pot and Chauth means, fourth day.

It is celebrated with great devotion and reverence, in order to venerate god and goddess for long life and well being of the husbands. It is also celebrated among the Sikh religion people. On this occasion, the first Karva Chauth Vrat is of great importance to the women. The parents of the bride, sends cloths, and other items to their daughter home. It is a part of tradition that is being followed for quite some time.

Women buy a new clay port form the market and then color them beautiful. Some of them keep lot of things in it like Shringaar items etc. One the day of Karva Chauth these are exchanged among the women. Generally women celebrate this with in a group. And in the evening one of the women in the group chants the story of Karva Chauth. Karva Chauth has significance of social life also, as they meet each other. Parent comes to their daughter house with all sorts other things like sweets and new cloths for their daughter and her family.

But how, this tradition originated, let’s read below.

Karva Chauth 2013 Date: When is Karva Chauth?

Karva Chauth in 2013 will be celebrated on October 22, 2013.

Karva Chauth in 2014 will be celebrated on October 11, 2014.

History of Karva Chauth

Although Karva Chauth is now restricted to keeping fast for the husbands, but its origin is little different from what it is now. It is said that earlier since there were very less means of transportation, when a new bride used to get married, she was having no one with whom she can share her problem if she is facing some in her in laws house. So during that time the concept of god sister started. Bride used to make a strong friend in her laws house and she use to discuss any problem with her. When their relationships grow stronger, they were called as the god sisters and for that a ceremony was organized. But later as time changed the tradition of keeping fast for the husband started and that is how the origin of Karva Chauth came.

How People celebrate the Karva Chauth tradition

Earlier the Karva Chauth was all about women keeping fast for their husbands and breaking it after seeing the full moon.  But as time passes, thing tends to change. Now what picture we see today for the Karva Chauth, is totally different from the earlier days. Now as most of the population still does the same practice of keeping fast, but quite good part of population apart from keeping fast does other thing also. In various restraints, there are special packages for husband and wife for this day. In several places, dance competitions and eat out are also carried put. But still the sole idea of keeping fast and breaking it only when seeing full moon is still intact.

Karva Chauth has same celebrations as it does in other festival and over the year types of celebrations on this day has increased a lot. Preparations for this day starts, in 2 days before, where females do shopping for this occasion like buying dresses, Shirangaar material etc. Markets are flooded with all sorts of items that are needed for this occasion. Some people book hotels for this occasion and restaurants offer various packages for this occasion.

In the home various types of dishes are prepared on this occasion. From the markets, various types of sweets and cuisines are brought. This is a best occasion for social life to come of its cocoon, and people visit each other home. Parents of the female either come to the house with all sorts of gifts items like dresses and sweats or send them to her house. This is a part of old tradition. Those females who are having their first Karva Chauth tend to prepare for lot of new things.

Also in some of the places people organize mass gathering where ladies from various localities come at a place and celebrate this festival with each other. One of them narrates the story of Karva Chauth to all. Then provision for music is also there and then everybody moves their body little bit on the beats. Some people organize party at their on this occasion. No alcohol or non-veg cuisines are strictly not taken as this is a very auspicious day.

Karva Chauth Vrat Katha

As per the legends, there was a very beautiful queen named as Veeravati. She was the only girl child among her siblings. Since she was having seven brothers, loved by all the family members. She married to a great king and was living happy life. Few days before occasion of Karva Chauth she went to her parent house. As days passed, Karva Chauth day came. She woke up early in the morning and took bath, and performed the prayers.

Since in this fast no drinking of water and eating food is there, she slowly started to face problem, and was finding it difficult to control her thirst and hunger. But she decided to wait for the moon too come, because then only she will end up her fast. Seeing this her brother got tense and were very worry about their sister. As evening came in, Queen Veeravati was sitting with her sister in law and was doing preparation for prayers.

Her brothers decided to make a false moon, so that she can break her fast and get relieved from the sufferings. The seven brothers took a big Diya and one of them climbed a long Peepal Tree. Then they used the mirror to reflect the light of diya, producing a false moon. Seeing this Veeravati, considered it a real moon. She went outside and prayed to the false moon and broke the fast. She then had food, as now her fast is over. As soon as she took first piece of the food, news came from her Kingdom that, King has fallen ill and his condition is not good.

Hearing this, Veeravati stared her journey towards the kingdom. By now then, her bother came to know how much big mistake they have done and were weeping and praying for the better health of the King. On the way Veeravati stumbled upon Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Both of them are worshipped on this occasion. Goddess Parvati are worshipped by women, for longer life of their husbands. Both of them told her that, her husband has lost his soul. Hearing this Veervati wept and tears were running continuously from her eyes. She accused herself to be so maid to break the fast seeing a false and not able to identify which is really and what is not.