Introduction Karwa Chauth is one of the most famous festivals in North India, observed by married women for the longevity and safety of their husbands. They fast from sunrise until they see the moon at night.

The Story (Vrat Katha) Long ago, there was a beautiful queen named Veeravati. She was the only sister of seven loving brothers.

On the day of Karwa Chauth, Veeravati observed a strict fast at her parents’ home. However, she was delicate and could not bear the hunger and thirst. She fainted. Her brothers, unable to see their sister suffer, came up with a plan.

They lit a fire behind a distant hill and held a sieve in front of it to make it look like the moon had risen. They woke Veeravati and said, “Look, the moon has risen! You can break your fast.”

Innocently, she offered water to the fake moon and ate food. The moment she ate, bad omens occurred. News arrived that her husband, the King, had died (in some versions, he fell gravely ill with needles piercing his body).

Weeping, she prayed to Goddess Indrani (or Parvati). The Goddess appeared and explained that Veeravati had broken the fast by offering prayer to a false moon. The Goddess advised her to observe the fast again with strict devotion every month (Masik Karwa Chauth) until the actual annual festival returned.