Why Karva Chauth Women Look Through a Sieve at the Moon and Their Husband’s Face

Every celebration has a special meaning in Sanatan Dharma, but Karva Chauth is especially significant. The Hindu calendar dates Karva Chauth to the Chaturthi day of Krishna Paksha in the Kartik month, which is eagerly anticipated by married ladies. On this day, ladies hold fasts and ask for blessings for their husbands’ well-being. It is observed on November 1st this year. Ladies seek blessings from Maa Karva and adore her. Observing the moon through a sieve is a unique custom on this day. The Moon God receives an offering known as Argh during the Karva Chauth ritual.

Ayodhya-based astrologer Pandit Kalki Ram tells many tales related to Karva Chauth. One such story concerns a lady who lived close to the Bhadra River by the name of Karva. Her spouse was swimming in the river when he was pulled by a crocodile, putting him in danger. Karva ardently prayed to Yamraj, the Lord of Death, for her husband’s protection during that desperate hour.

Yamraj was moved by her devotion and bestowed upon her a unique blessing: on this day, every woman who fasts in her honor would be bestowed with her husband’s long life and wealth. Furthermore, at Karva Chauth, devotion of Lord Shankar and Mother Parvati is mentioned in holy texts. Devotees honor Mother Parvati and Lord Kartikeya on this auspicious day. They gaze at the moon through a sieve in the evening and give water to it, signifying freedom from the flaws of life.

Religious sources state that several myths are associated with Karva Chauth. Veervati, the adored sister of seven brothers, is the subject of another such Karva Chauth tale. They had always had a particular spot in their hearts for her. Like many married ladies, she dutifully followed the Karva Chauth fast after being married. Her brothers could not stand to see her fast from dawn till dusk on one such Karva Chauth. They played on the traditional ruse, telling Veervati that the moon had risen and advising her to break her fast.

Veervati broke her fast because she trusted her brothers, but sadly, her husband died soon after. She begged God to revive her spouse, devastated and brokenhearted. God replied by telling her to keep the fast the next year with the greatest earnestness and dedication. Determinated to keep her word, Veervati waited patiently for a whole year. She used a sieve to worship the moon this time, and that’s when she claimed to have seen her husband’s face there. Veervati’s unshakable love and fasting enabled her to resurrect her spouse.