Karwa Chauth 2023: Who Was The First To Observe The Holy Fast?

Karwa Chauth is marked by a fast kept predominantly by married women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. On this day, women observe waterless fasts and offer Arghya to the moon in the evening. The importance of this celebration is evident throughout the country’s north and northwest.

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The literal translation of Karwa Chauth is presenting ‘Argya’ to the moon on the Chaturthi of the Karthika month, using an earthen vessel called a Karwa. Every year, on the fourth day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the Kartika month, the festival takes place. This year, it will be celebrated on November 1. There are some anecdotes connected to this festival, even though its origins are still somewhat unclear. Astrologer Pradeep Acharya sheds some light on the history of this practice.

Religious tradition holds that Goddess Gauri kept the first Karwa Chauth fast in honour of Lord Shiva. Since she presented Arghya to the moon on this day and maintained a waterless fast for the entire day, people have celebrated Karwa Chauth ever since, as per beliefs. Another anecdote related to the festival claims that during the battle between gods and asuras when all the goddesses had come to Lord Brahma and asked him for advice to protect their husbands, he had advised them to keep the fast of Karwa Chauth for the first time to grant them power over the asuras.

Pandit Pradeep Acharya said that the holy fast is also connected to the Ramayana as Goddess had kept a long fast for Lord Rama in Ashok Vatika as she waited for him to come and rescue her from Lanka. He explained that after Goddess Sita gave up food and drink while residing in Ashok Vatika, all the gods appeared, praised her and gave her kheer. In another mythical tale, it is also said that Goddess Sita kept the Karwa Chauth fast solely at Lord Shri Rama’s suggestion.