Karwa Chauth is celebrated on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. On this day, married women observe a strict Nirjala fast (without water) from sunrise until moonrise, praying for the long life and well-being of their husbands. The festival is widely observed in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.

Women offer prayers to the moon, and after moonrise, their husbands offer water to break the fast. On this day, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Ganesha are worshipped.

The Story of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati

According to legend:

• Goddess Parvati once asked Lord Shiva how she could ensure her husband’s longevity and good fortune.

• Shiva instructed her to observe the Karak Chaturthi fast, now known as Karwa Chauth. He said:

  • A woman who observes this fast regularly receives good fortune.

  • Her husband is blessed with longevity and protection from danger.

• Shiva also explained the significance of offering prayers to the moon: the moon symbolizes longevity, and worshipping it ensures a woman’s good fortune and her husband’s long life.

Impressed with the fast’s benefits, Parvati herself observed it and spread its significance to the world, establishing the tradition of Karwa Chauth.

Another belief states that Parvati performed rigorous penance and a waterless fast to win Lord Shiva as her husband. Her unwavering devotion pleased Shiva, who then accepted her as his wife.

Benefits of Observing Karwa Chauth

• Husband’s longevity and health

• Good fortune and prosperity for the woman

• Blessings for family well-being

• Strengthens the bond of love and devotion between husband and wife