Festivals are an inherent part of every culture and India is no exception. Each festival here is a manifestation of exuberance and bliss. One of them is Karva Chauth, a festival wholly and solely dedicated to the love and loyalty between partners.

Karva Chauth falls on the fourth day of Hindu month of Kartik in the lunisolar calendar. This one day festival has its roots deep in the past with several Karva Chauth stories associated with it. Let’s have a look at them:

Queen Veervati’s Story

This one is an important Karva Chauth katha associated with the festival. Long time ago, there was a beautiful queen Veervati who was the only sister of seven brothers. She kept her first Karva Chauth fast for her husband at her parent’s home. By the time it was evening, she became desperate with hunger and thirst. Her brothers couldn’t bear her suffering and created a mirror in the pipal tree which made it appear as though the moon had risen. She broke her fast and the word arrived that her husband is dead. She went in immense grief which compelled a Goddess to appear and ask the reason of her grief. When told, she was guided to keep the fast with full dedication, When she did, the God of Death, Yama, finally relented to restore her husband’s life.

Karwa Legend

This one is another popular Karwa Chauth katha that says there was a woman named Karwa who was an extremely ‘Pati-vrata’ woman. Because of her extreme devotion towards her husband, she was gifted with spiritual powers. During a bath in the river, a crocodile caught her husband. She tied the crocodile with the cotton yarn and requested the God of Death, Yama to to send the crocodile to hell. When he refused, she threatened to curse Yama. That was when the terrified Yama sent the crocodile to hell and blessed Karwa’s husband with a long life.

Mahabharata Legend

When Arjuna went to Nilgiris for reparation, the Pandavas faced a lot of problems in his absence. That is when Draupadi called Lord Krishna for help who reminded her that when Goddess Parvati needed Lord Shiva’s direction, she was told the story of Veervati and guided to observe the fast of Karva Chauth with all rituals. Consequently, when Draupadi observed the fast, Pandavas overcame all the problems.

Satyavan & Savitri Story

It is one of the most popular Karwa Chauth katha that is believed to be true. When Yama, the God of Death came to seize Satyavan’s soul, Savitri, his wife begged him not to do so. Yama paid no heed to hear pleadings and departed with her husband’s soul. He told Savitri that she could ask him for any boon to which Savitri replied that she wants children. The boon was granted. But she never let any man be the father of her children. This melted Yama’s heart and he was compelled to return her husband’s life.

Happy Karwa Chauth to all