Karva Chauth is an ancient festival observed by women in northern India. It is celebrated on the fourth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Kartika, which falls in October or November.

The festival is linked to legends and myths. One legend tells of a queen who starved herself for her husband's health and longevity. This led other women to do the same for their husbands.

The story of Veeravati is linked to the Karva Chauth festival. Veeravati fasted for her husband's well-being but mistakenly thought he had passed away. Despite breaking her fast early, she continued praying, and the gods brought her husband back to life.

Karva Chauth is a strict fast observed by married women from dawn until moonrise, after which they pray for their husband's long and healthy lives.

Karva Chauth has evolved from a strict fast to a cultural celebration. It now symbolizes the love and devotion between married couples and women's commitment to their husbands' well-being, demonstrating its adaptability and enduring cultural significance.

Karva Chauth's observance has become more elaborate, often including social gatherings and festive events. Women dress in vibrant, traditional attire and adorn themselves with jewelry to celebrate marital devotion and cultural heritage.

The festival also coincides with the wheat-sowing time (i.e., the beginning of the Rabi crop cycle). Big earthen pots in which wheat is stored are sometimes called karvas, so the fast may have begun as a prayer for a good harvest.

Another story about the origin of this festival relates to the bond of feminine friendship. With the custom of arranged marriage being prevalent, the newlywed is supposed to reside with her husband and in-laws. Being new to the family the custom arose.