The Tradition Of Karwa Chauth

Celebrating Karwa Chauth

The fourth day of Krishna-Paksha during the month of Kartik is called Karwa Chauth. On this day, married women worship Lord Ganesha and an earthen pot called karwa for the well-being of their husbands. They fast for the whole day and break it in the evening after listening to the following enlightening kathas or stories and offering water to the rising moon. (Now I know where the moon got water from. ISRO and NASA, you losers, take a hike.)


First Katha (Story)
A businessman had seven sons and a daughter. Once on Karwa Chauth, the businessman’s wife, his daughter, and all the daughters-in-law observed the fast together. After the puja, the brothers sat down and partook of the festive food. They asked their sister to have food too. She replied, “I will eat only after seeing the moon.” The brothers went and lit a fire at a distance and told their sister that the moon had risen. The girl then offered water to what she thought was the moon and ate food.

Lord Ganesha got extremely angry at this blunder, and punished the girl by inflicting a horrible disease on her husband. (Sounds like bombing Iraq to punish Bin Laden.) The couple lost all their wealth in his treatment. After suffering a great deal, she realized her mistake. She then repented to Lord Ganesha, and observed the fast with great devotion. Lord Ganesha, now happy with her, withdrew their sufferings and bequeathed them with great wealth.

Thus, whoever observes the Karwa Chauth fast, gets all her wishes fulfilled.

Second Katha
Once a blind old woman lived with her son and daughter-in-law. They were very poor. The blind old woman used to worship Lord Ganesha every day. Very pleased at her devotion, Ganesha used to appear in front of her (How did she know? She was blind…) and say, “Oh old mother, I will grant you one wish. Ask whatever you want.” The woman would say, “I don’t know what to ask.”

One day Ganesha told her, “Why don't you consult your son or daughter-in-law?” The woman talked to her son who wished for wealth. The daughter-in-law wanted a son. The woman then talked to her neighbors who suggested she asked vision for herself. The next day, Lord Ganesha appeared (but she was blind…umm…never mind) and as usual exhorted, “Ask whatever you wish for, old mother.”

The woman said, “Oh Ganesha, I wish to see my grandson eating in a gold plate.”

After listening to her, Ganesha said, “Old woman, you have tricked me. Nonetheless, you will receive all that you have asked for.” And then he disappeared.

Oh Lord Ganesha, as you had given to the old woman everything she wished for, give to everyone, and to me as well.

(Picture courtesy karwachauth.com. Click here for more enlightenment.)