Karva Chauth Vrat Katha

English

**The Story:**

Queen Veeravati was the only sister among seven brothers. She observed her first Karva Chauth vrat after marriage — a strict nirjala (waterless) fast from sunrise to moonrise.

By afternoon, she was so weak she nearly fainted. Her seven brothers could not bear to see her suffering. To "help" her, they lit a fire behind a distant tree and sent word that the moon had risen. Trusting her brothers, Veeravati looked, saw the light, and broke her fast.

Instantly, news arrived that her husband had died. Distraught, she rushed to the palace, weeping. Her tears fell continually. She refused to cremate the body and observed vigil.

Months passed. On the same Karva Chauth of the following year, Parvati appeared before her and revealed the deception. Parvati instructed her to observe the fast properly. Veeravati kept the vrat with full devotion, took the darshan of moonrise correctly, offered arghya to Chandra, and prayed with pure heart.

Her husband was restored to life.

**Ritual:** Wife observes waterless fast. Evening puja: she narrates this katha, gathers with other married women, exchanges karvas (earthen pots), sees moon through a sieve, then her husband, then breaks fast.