Karva Chauth

The Story

Several stories: (1) Veeravati, who broke her fast prematurely and lost her husband, then resumed strict observance and revived him; (2) Savitri-Satyavan story interpreted in this fast-context; (3) Draupadi's vrat to safeguard the Pandavas.

Vidhi · How It's Done

• Pre-dawn sargi (eaten before sunrise) — given by mother-in-law: includes feni, paratha, fruits, dry fruits, sweets
• Day-long nirjala fast (without food or water)
• Evening: dressing in bridal attire; group puja with other married women
• Story of Karva and Veeravati narrated
• Moon-rise: spotting moon through a sieve, then the husband's face through the same sieve
• Husband offers water and the first morsel to break the fast

Key Mantras

• Karva Chauth Vrat Katha recitation
• ॐ शिवायै नमः
• ॐ चन्द्रदेवाय नमः

Bhog · Festival Foods

Sargi (paratha, feni, fruits, dry fruits) · Feni (special vermicelli) · Mathri · Kheer (post-fast) · Aloo paratha (post-fast)

Regional Variants

• · Punjab/Haryana: Largest celebration; group puja in courtyards
• · Rajasthan: Same observance; special Karva pots exchanged