Karva or
karwa Chauth Festival
About Karva Chauth Festival
.... Karva
Chauth is observed by married women (Suhagan) for
ensuring wedded bliss and wishing long life for their
husbands and children. A married woman who observes this
vrat is called ‘Saubhagyavati’ (joyous and happy state
of wifehood).
On
the occasion of this Karva
Chauth vrat (Fast) a kalash (small
container) is filled with either milk or water. In that
kalash is placed Pancha Ratna (five pieces of different
metals gold, silver, copper, brass and iron). The kalash
is then presented to a Brahmin and also exchanged with
other married women. While thus presenting the kalash, a
wishful prayer is offered to Lord Ganesh: "Let the
offerings of this Karva (Karak (gift bring long life to
my husband and may my saubhagya be everlasting". And
express such desire that ‘May my death precede that of
my husband so that I can enter the chitaa (funeral pyre)
as a bride (not as a widow).
This
katha (narrative) first took place between Siva and
parvati. Siva told Parvati about the significance of
Karva
Chauth Vrat. In Dwapar Yuga, Draupadi asked Lord Krishna
about the vrat of Karva Chauth. Thereafter, the very
first time this Karva
Chauth vrat was observed in the town of
Shukraprastha by Veeravati, the daughter of Vedsharma
and Leelavati. Ever since this Karva
Chauth vrat has been observed by
married women till the present day.
On
the occasion of Karva Chauth which is on the day of
Kartik Krishna Chaturthi, fasting (vrat) is observed. In
the evening, after taking a bath, under a banyan tree
(or in the absence of such tree, draw a picture of such
tree) place murtis or pictures of Siva, Parvati, Ganesh
and Kartikeya and do Puja ceremony (shodashopachar or
sixteen step puja ceremony). Then for the offerings of
arghya (rice, flower etc.), while waiting for the moon
to rise, japa is done with the mantra "Om namah
Shivaya". Havan (sacred fire ceremony) is also done.
Thereafter, having sited the moon, offer the arghya.
If
the husband is present, then worship him with
Panchopchar or gandh, pushpa, dhoop, deep and naivedya
(perfume, flower, incence, lamp and food). If the
husband is away on travels, then offer a prayer to
Almighy to grant long life to your husband. Thereafter
bring the vrat to its conclusion.
Lord
Krishna urged Draupadi to observe the Karva
Chauth vrat of Karva
Chauth so that through its influence Arjuna can defeat
the Kauravas on the battlefield and acquire back the
kingdom. Married
women who thus offer wishful prayer for saubhagya by
observing the Karva Chauth Vrat, acquire saubhagya,
progeny and lasting prosperity.
