Karva Chauth is a one day fast observed by women on the fourth day after full moon in the Kartik month of Hindu lunar calendar.This is a Hindu festival celebrated with great joy and happiness. There are many rituals that are followed on this day. The day of Karwa Chauth is celebrated with immense zeal and faith by the women who fast for the long life of their husbands. It is a day on which the women fast from sunrise to moonrise to seek long, healthy, prosperous and safe life for their husbands. It is strict fasting day and most of the women abstain even from drinking water throughout the day. The fast of Karwa Chauth ends when the water is offered to moon as it rises. A prayer is also done and only then the fast comes to an end. Beautiful designs of Mehendi are applied by women on the day of Karva Chauth. Women also prepare delicious foods on Karva Chauth and spend the whole day in these activities. Women offer prayers to goddess Gauri to seek happy married life and long life of their husbands. Karva Chauth is one of the most awaited festivals by women. This festival marks the devotion, loyalty and respect that the women pay to their husbands.

Vrat katha : Once upon a time there was a religious Brahmin who had 7 sons and a daughter-Veeravati. When she got married, she fasted on the fourth day after moon in the month of Kartik. However, she started feeling extreme hunger before the moonrise. Her brothers could not tolerate the distress of their loving sister and hence, one of them climbed up a tree and placed a lighted ‘Deep’ in such a manner that it looked like a moon behind the tree. Veeravati happily offered the water to moon and ate food. As she finished eating, her husband died. She started crying and yelling bitterly. Indrani was on her way with dancers. On hearing the sound of cry, she went to her and asked the reason of her sorrow.

Veeravati told her the entire story. Indrani then revealed the reason of her husband’s death and how she was tricked by her brothers. Indrani then instructed her to repeat the fast of Karva Chauth with complete devotion for 12 months. She asked her to fast on very ‘Chauth’ of a month and on the day of Karva Chauth worship lord Kartik, Ganesha, Shiva and Gauri along with moon. She was instructed to offer water to moon and only then to open her fast. When Veeravati repeated the fast with utmost devotion and fasted on Karva Chauth following every ritual, Yama was compelled to restore the life of her husband. Bolo karwa chauth mata ki jai .Therefore, women observe fast on Karwa Chauth and pray for long life of their husband.