Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha – Real Story Behind the Festival
Karwa Chauth is around the corner, and everyone is preparing, and Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha is something everyone listens to. Following the roots, everyone has some Kathas related to Karwa Chauth, which is recited to every woman taking the Karwa Chauth fast, either by an older woman or a priest.
The festival is followed by a Sargi (food platter), which the mother-in-law prepares. The women who are going to take the fast have to bathe in the morning and properly dress up. Then the mother-in-law gives the Sargi, which the daughter-in-law must eat.
The festival is all about the beliefs and traditions we are carrying forward. On this day, women get decked out in new outfits, getting completely ready like a bride. They fast all day to ensure the long life of their husbands. Women are dressed elegantly from head to toe, showcasing everything from Mehendi designs to shiny outfits and perfect makeup.
The older woman narrates various Kathas during the evening prayer, after which the rituals continue.
Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha
1. Girl with 7 Brothers
There was a girl who had 7 brothers. Being the only sister to seven brothers, she was pampered, cherished, and loved dearly. Soon, the girl was married and had to leave the house and start a new life. The brothers were sad about letting their sister go, but could not do anything before the rituals and traditions.
A year passed, and the girl had to return to her mother’s house as per the tradition. The brothers were pleased as their sister was back home. It was the time of Karwa Chauth, and my sister was fasting for the whole day.
Seeing their sister hungry and thirsty, the brothers were sad and wanted to do something for her. They persuaded their sister to eat something, but she refused to eat. So the brothers decided to create a fake moon and let their sister break the fast.
They prepared everything and called their sister outside. One brother climbed the highest tree and put a sieve; through that, they showed a flame that acted like the moon. The sister believed her brother and broke the fast with proper rituals. She drank the water and ate sweets.
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Story Continuation…
When she sat down to eat the food, the news arrived that her husband was dead. She was heartbroken and prayed to the Goddess the whole day and night. The goddess appeared before her and told her about how her brothers tricked her.
Then she instructed her to return to her husband’s place and wait a whole year near his body. Next year, continue observing the fast. The girl did what she was instructed, and a year later, she took the cleanse, and then, as promised by the Goddess, her husband regained his senses, and they were reunited.
It is the one story that the women in Karwa Chauth tell. One story is considered inauspicious on an auspicious day. Here is the second story related to Karwa Chauth.
2. The Chatakminar (Ganesh) and the rice pudding (Karwa Chauth Katha)
Once, Ganesha disguised himself as Chatakminar (saint) and entered the village. He had a bowl with some milk and a few rice grains tied in a cloth. He went to a small village and asked them to come and make a rice pudding with him.
Everyone passed by, laughing and mocking him. Wandering here and there, the saint went to the outskirts of the village. There he found a small hut. He constantly knocks on the door, and an older woman comes out of the house. The saint requested the older woman to help him with rice pudding.
Being generous towards guests, she always said yes. She decided to help him make the rice pudding. The saint ordered the pious woman to bring the largest vessel present in the house.
The woman told him that she didn’t have a big vessel. The saint told her to trust him, and when she went inside, she found a huge copper pan.
At that moment, she was sure that he wanted an ordinary saint. They proceeded to pour the milk into the pan until it was filled. The moment the woman opened the rice pouch, she saw it was as deep as a sack.
She poured the rice, and the saint asked the woman to call the villagers to the feast. The villagers were amused to see the poor woman calling them to eat the rice pudding.
Story Continuation…
They all went there; meanwhile, the lady’s daughter took care of the rice pudding. The villager saw a large vessel full of rice pudding. The villagers ate and were full, yet some pudding was left in the vessel.
After this, the saint asked the older woman to dig a hole in the backyard. Place the vessel inside the container; by the next morning, it will be full of gold. The woman did the same as what she was instructed.
However, at night, as soon as the woman went to sleep, the daughter went to the backyard and dug the hole again. She saw that the vessel was full of stones. When she came inside, she saw some expensive items turn into stone. She cried and woke her mother.
The woman rushed to the saint and told her what happened. The saint said, “Your daughter is blinded by greed. “Go back and bury the pot again, and then see if in the morning the pebbles turn to gold.” The woman did the same, and the next morning, she found a vessel full of gold.
These are the two stories that the older woman tells during the fast.
Also Read
- How To Prepare For Karwa Chauth
