Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha
Karak Chaturthi, popularly known as Karwa Chauth is one of the most important festivals for married women. Observed on the Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Krishna Paksha (as per the Purnimant calendar) or Ashwin Krishna Paksha (according to the Amavasyant calendar), this festival is often glamorised in TV shows and films. And this trend has made this ritual even more popular, so much so that even men have started fasting for their respective wives.
Karwa Chauth festivities begin a day ahead of the auspicious day as women decorate their palms with intricate Mehendi designs and keep their best finery aside for the next morning. And among the several rituals, the recitation of the vrat katha and the singing of the aarti find a special mention.
Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha in English
There lived a woman who was raised and pampered by her seven brothers. After she attained marriageable age, her siblings got her married to a King. And as expected, she was treated like a queen at her marital home.
Subsequently, on her first Karwa Chauth day, the woman visited her maternal home after observing a vrat. She religiously followed all the rituals but could barely withstand hunger. As she sat impatiently to sight the Moon, one of her brothers, pained by her suffering, kept a lamp on a peepal tree. Then with a mirror, the brother reflected its image to make his sister believe that the moon has risen. As a result, the woman sighted the mirror and broke her fast. But as soon as her vrat ended, her husband’s health deteriorated.
However, the moment the news of his illness reached her, she left for her marital home. And on her way, she came across Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati, who informed her about her the untimely death of her husband. As expected, the woman was devastated, and wondered how could her hale and hearty husband die. Nonetheless, after learning about her brother’s misdeed, the woman sought forgiveness from the Goddess and asked her to restore her husband’s life. Pleased by the woman’s devotion, Goddess Parvati asked her to observe the vrat and follow the rituals with utmost sincerity. Therefore, the doting wife kept a fast to give a new lease of life to her husband.
Karwa Chauth Puja Vidhi / Karva Chauth Vrat Vidhi
Our religious books including Dharamasindhu, Nirnayasindhu and Vratraj mention Karwa Chauth as Karak Chaturthi. Both Karak and Karwa refer to small pitcher which is used during Puja and given as charity or Dan for the wellbeing of the family. It is mentioned that only women have the right to perform fasting on Karwa Chauth. The fasting on Karwa Chauth is done not only for well- being and long life of the husband but also for the sons, grandsons, wealth and everlasting prosperity of the family.
Karwa Chauth coincides with Sankashti Chaturthi a fasting day observed for Lord Ganesha. However on the day of Karwa Chauth Lord Shiva and His family including Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya are worshipped. Goddess Parvati being Akhand Saubhagyavati is worshipped first during the Puja followed by Lord Shiva, Lord Kartikeya and Lord Ganesha. Women also worship Goddess Gaura and Chauth Mata who represent Goddess Parvati itself on the day of Karwa Chauth.
Sankalp
On the day of fasting, after taking morning bath women should take the pledge, which is called Sankalp, to keep the fast for the wellbeing of the husband and the family. It is also recited during Sankalp that the fasting would be without any food or the water and the fast would be broken after sighting the moon. The Mantra to chant while taking the pledge –
मम सुखसौभाग्य पुत्रपौत्रादि सुस्थिरश्री प्राप्तये करक चतुर्थी व्रतमहं करिष्ये।
Translation – It means “I would observe the fasting of Karak Chaturthi for the wellbeing of the husband, sons and grandsons and to gain fixed wealth”.
You can download the Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha English PDF using the link given below.
