Karwa Chauth is a very popular fasting observance practiced by married Hindu women; to seek long life and welfare of their husbands.
On this auspicious day, women keep day - long fast and offer prayer to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
It is believed that those who observe this fast are blessed with life long prosperity and a healthy spouse. In the Indian culture, Hindu women observed this fast for their husbands.
During the day women abstain from food and water, and at night after moonrise they break their fasts by reading the ‘vrat katha’ and performing the ‘puja vidhi’. There is a very interesting katha behind this fast.
Long ago, there lived a very beautiful princess named Veeravati, who was married to a wealthy and strong king. As per the usual practice during those days, the day of Karwa Chauth arrived and the queen left for her parents' house.
She was very devoted to Lord Shiva and Parvati and therefore decided to observe the Karva Chauth fasting.
She woke up at sunrise and started the fasting abided by worship and pujas. The whole day she did not eat anything and therefore turned so weak and fell unconscious.