Why Women Look At The Moon And Their Husband’s Face Through A Sieve On Karva Chauth – News18

In Sanatan Dharma, every festival holds its unique significance, but Karva Chauth stands out for its particular importance. Married women eagerly await the observance of Karva Chauth, which falls annually on the Chaturthi date of Krishna Paksha in the Kartik month, according to the Hindu calendar. It is a day when women observe fast and seek blessings for the well-being of their husbands. This year, it will be celebrated on November 1. Women worship Maa Karva and seek blessings. A special tradition on this day involves gazing at the moon through a sieve. During the Karva Chauth worship, an offering known as Argh is presented to the Moon God.

Astrologer Pandit Kalki Ram from Ayodhya shares various stories associated with Karva Chauth. One such tale revolves around a woman named Karva, who resided near the Bhadra River. Her husband found himself in peril, as he was dragged by a crocodile while bathing in the river. In that dire moment, Karva fervently prayed to Yamraj, the Lord of Death, seeking her husband’s protection.

Touched by her devotion, Yamraj granted her a special blessing: any woman who observes a fast in her name on this day will receive the boon of her husband’s long life and prosperity. In addition to this, religious scriptures also mention the worship of Lord Shankar and Mother Parvati during Karva Chauth. On this auspicious day, devotees pay homage to Lord Kartikeya alongside Mother Parvati. In the evening, they offer water to the moon after gazing at it through a sieve, symbolising liberation from life’s imperfections.

As per religious texts, Karva Chauth is accompanied by numerous mythological stories. Another such Karva Chauth story is Veervati, the beloved sister to seven brothers. She had always held a special place in their hearts. After her marriage, she, like other married women, faithfully observed the Karva Chauth fast. On one such Karva Chauth, her brothers could not bear to see her fasting from sunrise until late in the evening. Following the customary trick, they falsely informed Veervati that the moon had risen, urging her to break her fast.

Trusting her brothers, Veervati broke her fast, but tragically, her husband passed away shortly thereafter. Devastated and heartbroken, she pleaded with God to bring her husband back to life. In response, God instructed her to observe the fast with the utmost sincerity and devotion the following year. Veervati patiently waited for an entire year, determined to fulfil her vow. This time, she worshipped the moon with a sieve, and that’s when she said to have spotted her husband’s face in it. Veervati brought her husband back to life through her unwavering devotion with her fasting.