Practice : It is the most important fast observed by the women of North India. A woman keeps such a fast for the wellbeing of her husband, who becomes her protector after she leaves her parents home. In the past, a widow was regarded as a burden to the house and was burned on the funeral pyre of her husband. This was glorified by attributing great virtue to the woman concerned, and she was known as a Sati. Hence, it was in her best interest that her husband remains alive.

Earlier, the elders of the family were also keen to discipline the young wife, who was sometimes married off at the tender age of seven or eight years. Great care was taken on the day of this fast to ensure that she took neither food nor water unwittingly. An older woman would accompany the young girl even to the bathroom, or the toilet, to ensure that she did not drink any water.

The fast of Karva Chouth is a very tough fast to observe, as it starts before sunrise and ends after worshipping the moon, which rises at night. Today, this fast is kept even in modern homes, as a symbol of a woman's love for her husband.