Importance of sieve, skewer and karwa on Karwa Chauth

The name Karva Chauth is made up of two words: “Karva” meaning “earthen pot” and “Chauth” meaning “Chaturthi, the favorite date of Lord Ganesha.” A sieve, a skewer, a karwa (water pot), and a lamp are used during the Karva Chauth puja.

The symbolic significance of the Kalash and Thali…
During the Karva Chauth puja, it is traditional to offer prayers to the moon using a clay or copper Kalash. According to the Puranas, the Kalash is considered a symbol of happiness, prosperity, and auspicious wishes. According to religious belief, the Kalash is home to all the planets, stars, and pilgrimage sites. Furthermore, it is said that Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, all the rivers, oceans, lakes, and thirty-three crore gods and goddesses also reside within the Kalash. The puja plate contains roli, rice, a lamp, fruits, flowers, pedas, wedding items, and a pot filled with water. A large earthen lamp containing barley or wheat is placed on top of the karva. Barley symbolizes prosperity, peace, progress, and happiness.

The symbolic significance of the lamp and sieve…
The light of the lamp holds special significance on Karva Chauth. According to scriptures, fire is considered the transformed form of the sun on Earth. It is believed that worship performed with fire as a witness is successful. Light is also considered a symbol of knowledge. Acquiring knowledge removes all the impurities of ignorance from the mind. The lamp also dispels negative energy. Women break their fast at the end of the day by first looking at the moon through a sieve and then immediately looking at their husbands. It is connected to the story of Veervati, which is told on Karva Chauth. Seeing that Veervati was hungry, her brothers created the moon by placing a lamp in a sieve under a tree before the moon rose and then broke their fast.

The symbolic significance of the Karwa…
Karwa means “Karva,” meaning an earthen pot, which is considered a form of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha represents the water element, and the spout on the Karwa symbolizes Lord Ganesha’s trunk. On this day, it is considered auspicious to fill water in an earthen pot and keep it for worship.

What does the skewer symbolize?
The presence of a skewer is crucial during the Karva Chauth fast. This skewer symbolizes the power of Goddess Karva. According to legend, a crocodile grabbed the leg of Goddess Karva’s husband. She then tied the crocodile with a thread and went to Yamaraj. He was checking Chitragupta’s accounts at the time. Taking seven sticks, Karva began flicking them, causing the accounts to fly into the sky. Karva asked Yamraj to protect her husband, then he saved Karva’s husband’s life by killing the crocodile and blessed him with a long life.