Labh Lakshmi

Karva Chauth is supposed to be originated as a social and seasonal festival, but somewhere the festival deviated from its original form. The word Karwa Chauth, is composed of Karwa – meaning a clay pot - and Chauth (from char meaning four) corresponding to the fourth day after the Full Moon in Kartik month (of Hindu calendar) following the Autumnal Equinox.

This time of the year is just after the harvest of Kharif (monsoon) crops and people are usually in a festive mood. They like to remember and meet their relatives and friends, and exchange gifts with them. Diwali is a similar seasonal festival – in addition to having religious significance – that is nine days after Karva Chauth.

The Legend Of Karwa

According to this legend, a woman named Karwa was deeply devoted to her husband. One day while bathing, her husband was caught by a crocodile. Karwa came running and tied the crocodile with a cotton rope. She then went to Yamraj and appealed him to send the offending crocodile to hell. When Yamraj refused, Karva threatened to curse him. Afraid of the power of a devotee wife, Yamraj readily accepted and sent the crocodile to hell, and blessed Karwa’s husband with long life.

This year Karwa Chouth is on 17th October 2008 Friday

Karva Chauth is a Hindu festival observed by the married women of our country. It is celebrated for ensuring wedded bliss and wishing long life for their husbands and children. A married woman who observes this vrata or fast is called’ Saubhagyavati’ (joyous and happy state of wifehood). It is one of the famous fasts among the Indian married women. The fast of Karwa Chauth is of particular importance to Hindu women as they believe it ensures the well-being, prosperity and longevity of their husbands.