A Celebration of Love & Devotion
Karwa Chauth is a revered Hindu festival where married women fast from sunrise to moonrise, seeking their husbands' long life, health, and prosperity. This tradition symbolizes love, devotion, and the sanctity of marriage, celebrated with great enthusiasm and cultural richness across India.
The Sacred Puja Thali
The Puja Thali carries key ritual items, each with profound symbolism, enhancing the ceremony's sanctity. Tap on each thali item below to learn its meaning.
Select an Item
Tap an icon on the thali to explore its significance in the Karwa Chauth ritual.
The Day's Ritual (Puja Vidhi)
The festival unfolds through rituals from sunrise to moonrise. Discover the day's highlights by clicking each step on the timeline.
The Legend (Vrat Katha)
Hearing the Vrat Katha, the tale of Queen Veeravati, is a vital aspect of the puja. It underscores a wife's devotion and the significance of following rituals.
The tale follows Veeravati, a graceful queen and the cherished sister of seven caring brothers. During her first Karwa Chauth, she kept a rigorous fast at her childhood home. By dusk, weakened by hunger and thirst, she eagerly awaited the moonrise. Unable to see her suffer, her brothers devised a trick. They crafted a fake moon by reflecting light through a sieve and a mirror set in a pipal tree.
Mistaking the reflection for the real moon, Veeravati ended her fast. As she ate, word came that her husband, the king, was critically ill. Distraught, she hurried to him but encountered Goddess Parvati, who exposed her brothers' trickery. The Goddess urged her to observe the fast again with true devotion. Veeravati obeyed, and through her steadfast faith, Yama, the god of death, was compelled to revive her husband. Since that day, women observe the ritual of looking at the moon through a sieve, inspired by Veeravati's tale and praying for their husbands' long lives.
Regional Celebration Styles
Though the core essence is unchanged, Karwa Chauth festivities reflect distinct regional touches. The chart below highlights the thematic emphasis of traditions across various North Indian regions. Hover to explore details.