Foodie at Eastern
The fourth day after Purnima, in the month of Karthika, Indian women observe the holy fast of Karva Chauth. It is a one-day festival where married women fast from sunrise to moonrise and pray for their safety, longevity, and welfare of their husbands.
The fourth day after Purnima, in the month of Karthika, Indian women observe the holy fast of Karva Chauth. It is a one-day festival where married women fast from sunrise to moonrise and pray for their safety, longevity, and welfare of their husbands.
But what is the inspiration behind this ritual?
A very long time ago, in a beautiful kingdom, there lived a beautiful princess named Veeravati, who grew up immersed in the love of her seven caring brothers as she was their only sister. When she attained age, she was married to a handsome King and was very happy.
Queen Veeravati had come down to her parent’s palace to observe Karva Chauth. She, like any other married woman, observed the fast with utmost devotion. But by the time it was noon, she started taking ill and suffered severe hunger and thirst. Unable to see their little sister in such agony, her seven brothers faked the moon-rise. Queen Veeravati, mistook the moon-rise for real and broke her fast.
The moment she broke her fast, she received a news about her husband, the King’s death.
Devastated, she ran to her husband’s palace and wept hard, which compelled the Shakthi to appear in front of her. When she asked the lord about why her husband was killed even when she fasted for him, the Goddess enlightened her about the situation and revealed that she had broken her fast by looking at a fake moon.
Veeravati pleaded for forgiveness. Acknowledging the queen’s devotion and distress, the Shakthi granted her a boon, stating that her husband will live, but will be ill. And she will have to retake the fast with full devotion. When the queen reached the palace she found the King lying with hundreds of needle stuck to his body.
Queen Veeravati managed to remove one needle a day and patiently took care of her husband. And soon the next Karva Chauth arrived and only one needle was left on the King’s body.
Queen Veeravati took utmost care to observe the fast this time. She herself went to the market to buy the Karva. Meanwhile, her maid removed the last needle on the King’s body.
The King woke up and mistook the maid for his queen. And when Queen Veeravati returned she was made to serve as the maid. But she kept her faith and completed her fast.
Once the King was visiting a neighboring Kingdom and asked the maid (Veeravati) so as to what his queen (previously the maid) wanted on his return.
Veeravati asked him to bring two identical dolls. And kept singing a song “Roli ki Goli ho gayi… Goli ki Roli ho gayi…” (the queen has turned into maid, and maid has turned into queen)
The King became anxious to know why she was singing the song. Veeravati narrated the entire story. The King was shocked to know the facts and resented his conduct. He immediately restored her royal status and accepted Queen Veeravati.
The couple lived happily ever after. Ever since then, married Indian women observe the Karva Chauth Vrat with utmost faith and devotion, and this legend has become a major belief in our society.
