There are several legends that are attached to the festival of Karva Chauth. There lived a beautiful girl by the name of Veeravati. She was the only sister of her seven loving brothers. She was married off to a king. On the occasion of the first Karva Chauth after her marriage, she went to her parents` house. After sunrise, she observed a fast. However, the queen couldn`t stand the rigors of fasting and was waiting for the moon to rise. The seven brothers were very disturbed watching the distress of their sister and decided to end her fast by playing a trick. Then the brothers reflected a mirror through Pipal tree leaves. The sister took it as moon rise, broke the fast and took food. However, the moment the queen ate her dinner, she received the news that her husband was seriously ill.
It is believed that she carried her husband into the forest. There she sat with her husband`s body for twelve months. Next year, when the nine goddesses of Karvachauth passed through she begged them to give her husband`s life back. On the day of Karvachauth, the first of the Earth Mothers appeared before her. She pleads to her to give life to the husband. The first Goddess refused to do anything and told her to ask her sister to do something.
The second goddess came. She also said the same thing as the first one. The third goddess came. She said the same thing as her sisters`. The fourth goddess came; the fifth goddess had the face of a bat; the sixth goddess also said the same; the seventh goddess had the face of a scorpion; the eighth goddess had the face of a snake. Each goddess referred her to her next sister. The girl was desperate now. She heard a jingling of bells in the forest. From behind her, a hideous spirit leaped out. The creature had one eye that has been placed haphazardly on a triangular face. The rest of the face consisted of puffy green cheeks and nine sharp, curved fangs. She clung to those ugly feet and wailed. The ninth goddess tried to pull her feet away but was touched by the girl`s determination, relented and agreed to do as she said.
Girl`s husband was restored to life. As she left, she warned that every year, on the day of Karva Chauth, she must fast from sunrise until the moon appears as well as pray to the nine Earth Mothers.
Legend of Mahabharata
It is believed that Draupadi is said to have observed this fast. Once Arjun went to the Nilgiris for penance and in his absence the rest of the Pandavas faced many problems. Draupadi remembered Lord Krishna and asked for help. He reminded her that on an earlier occasion, when Goddess Parvati had sought Lord Shiva`s guidance under similar circumstances, she had been advised to observe Karva Chauth. Draupadi followed the instructions and observed the fast. The Pandavas were able to overcome their problems..
Legend of Satyavan and Savitri
When Lord Yama, came to procure Satyavan`s soul, Savitri begged him to grant him life. He refused, she stopped eating and drinking and Yama finally conceded. He granted her, her husband`s life.
Legend of Karva
According to another account, a woman named Karva was deeply devoted to her husband. He was caught by a crocodile while bathing one day. Karva came running and bound the crocodile with a cotton yarn. She went to Yama, the Lord of the death, and requested him to send the offending crocodile to hell. She threatened to curse him when Yama refused. Yama accepted and sent the crocodile to hell, and blessed Karva`s husband with long life.
