Rattibha

Greetings to all Hindus on the pious occassion of Karwa Chauth (Karak Chaturthi) and Atla Taddi.
Many people aren't aware of scriptural basis of this Vrat. Today let's discuss about करक चतुर्थी व्रत (करवा चौथ व्रत) ।।
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Karwā Chauth Vrat is mentioned as Karaka Chaturthi (करक चतुर्थी) in our Hindu Granths.
It finds mentions in Granths like: Nārada Purāṇa, Vamana Purāṇa, Nirṇaya Sindhu, Dharma Sindhū, Vratrāja, Vratārka, Smriti Kaustubha.

Nārada Purāṇa has an entire section dedicated to performance on vratas on different tithis.
In the section of different vratas to be performed on the Chathurti Tithis, there is a rite known as Karaka Vrata observed on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha of Kārtika month.

Nārada Purāṇa describes a Vrata :
Celebrated on Chaturthi (fourth day) of Krishna Paksha (dark phase of Moon) of Kartika Month which is same day as Karwā Chauth.
Karaka Vrata is the term used for the fast because in this Vrat, a water pitcher called Karaka (Karwa) is used

This Vrat is :
Observed only by women
Involves worship of Lord Ganesha
Involves usage of Karaka or Karwās for Vrat
Presents are given to Suvāsinīs (married women)
Arghya is offered to Chandra dev at the fulfillment of Vrat
Vrat is performed for conjugal blessedness.

In fact, Nārada Purāṇa says there is no other Vrata like this that yields conjugal blessedness and it should be continously performed.
And the way Karwā Chauth is celebrated today is exactly the same as in Purāṇas.

Vāmana Purāṇa gives a more detailed reference to Karwā Chauth Vrat.
It describes that this Vrat is celebrated on Kartik Krishna Chaturthi or Ashwina Krishna Chaturthi in Southern country (~Atla Tadde)
An excerpt from Vratarāja text quoting Vāmana Purāṇa for Karwā Chauth👇🏻

Only women have the right to perform this Vrata.
The procedure for Vrata is described as to how to perform आचमन, संकल्प, षोडशोपचार पजा & शर्वाणी मन्त्र are discussed.
Puja of Goddess Gauri, Lord Shiva, Lord Kartikeya and Lord Ganesha is mentioned

Then 10 Karwās with Pakvānna and Akshat should be given to Brahmins. नैवेद्य of पिष्टक is offered to Goddess. After that अर्घ्य is offered at चन्द्रोदय।

There is also mention of what is thought to be a popular folklore of Draupadī performing Karwā Chauth. When Arjuna goes to Indrakila Parvat for penance, Draupadī is tensed.
Then Sri Krishna guides her by narrating story of Lord Shiva narrating Karwā Chauth’s Katha to Mā Pārvatī

Then Lord Shiva narrates story of Vīrāvati to Mātā Pārvatī. Vīrāvati, a devoted woman, had organsied Gaurī Pūja & observed the fast of Karak Chaturthī.
But before she could complete her fast, she went unconscious. Disturbed by her condition, her 7 brothers try to trick her...

...to break the fast before Chandra Udaya. Due to this her husband falls ill. Tensed by her husband’s condition, Vīrāvati remembers Devī who acquaints her of trickery & suggests her to perform strict fast next time. Vīrāvati observes strict fast next time and regains her husband.

Nirṇaya Sindhu authored by Kamalākar Bhatt mentions that Karak Vrata be observed on Kārtika Krishna Chaturthī. 👇🏻

Dharma Sindhū by Kāshināthopādhyāya mentions this Vrata to be performed on Ashwina Krishna Chaturthī.
This is probably in reference to Amāvasyānt Calendar followed in Bengal & South India , corresponding date for which would fall in Ashwina month.

In Telugu States, Atla tadde fast is observed a day before Karvā Chauth & Goddess Gauri is worshipped along with Lord Shiva on this day.
The day long fast is followed by evening prayer Miniature dosas called Atlu is eaten when fast is concluded

Same way Smriti Kaustubha written by Ananta Deva makes a mention of Karaka Vrata.

Some Bollywoodias spread propoganda like Karwa Chauth is some limited to Punjab only. However this is totally opposite from reality.
Karwa Chauth has traditionally been celebrated by Dogra, Awadhi, Rajasthani, Brajwasi communities.

In Rajasthan, every Chauth (Chaturthi) is regarded as auscipious and women observe at least four of them.
Karwā Chauth is one such important Chauth which is observed by women of Rajasthan.
In fact, we have temple dedicated to Chauth Mata (Goddess Gauri) in Rajasthan.

Often a myth is spread by many Bollywoodias that Karwā Chauth spread to rest of North India only after 1990s.
But here is a pre 1947 Marwari book on Hindu Vrata and Tyohāra and clearly mentions Karwā Chauth Vrat

Karwā Chauth is also observed in parts of Uttar pradesh except for Purvanchal. In Awadh region, a local dish called फरा or पीठा is prepared on करूआ चौथ (as they say in Awadhi)

On contrary, Karwā Chauth is traditionally limited to only those regions of Punjab which border Jammu-Himachal region
A Greater portion of Panjab (south to Sutlej territory) celebrates Hariyali Teej (locally k/a Teeyan) in Shravan month instead of Karwā Chauth.

Multani/Saraiki communities which settled in India post 1947 celebrate a similar Saubhagya Vrat on Kartik Purnima instead.
It is also known as 'Kothari Kartik Purnima Vrat' or 'Tubri Vrat' & involves worship around a water body. So only refugees bringing KCV is also false

For those who are interested do check this entire thread in form of an article on my wordpress handle
श्रीराम जयराम जयजयराम ।।
rajsharma1857.wordpress.com

rajsharma1857.wordpress.com/2020/09/08/exa…

Antiquity of Karwā Chauth Vrata

This is an article discussing Antiquity of the Hindu festival of Karwā Chauth and its references in...

Today I also got to know that the Katha of Atla Taddi Vrat (observed at almost same time as Karwa Chauth) in Telugu states is exactly same as that of Karwa Chauth Vrat's Katha.
These are the cultural elements which unite us Hindus from North to South.
google.com

google.com/amp/hinduspher…

Atla Taddi Vrat Katha

Once there was a princess who was observing a the Atla Taddi Nomu, and as the process she had to fas...

Today also happens to be the day of Vakratunda Sankashti Chaturthi when Bhagwan Ganpati is worshipped and a Vrat is observed on this day. This Vrat is popular in Western and Southern India.
hindupad.com
One Vrat observed with different names!