Karwa Chauth (30 October 2015)
Karva Chauth is a festival of married Hindu women. The word 'Karwa' means an earthen pot with a spout, which is used in prayers. 'Chauth' means the fourth day and hence the
name 'Karva Chauth'. It is a traditional fast undertaken by married Hindu women who offer prayers seeking the welfare, prosperity, well-being, and longevity of their husbands. Karwa Chauth falls about nine days before diwali on the Kartik Chauth some time in October or November. Fast of Karwa Chauth is quite tough as women are supposed to go without food or water for the entire day. Long time ago, there lived a beautiful girl by the name of Veeravati. She was the only sister of her seven loving brothers, who was married 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 strict fast. However, the queen couldn't stand the rigors of fasting and was desperately
waiting for the moon to rise. The seven brothers, who loved her dearly, were very disturbed watching the distress of their sister and decided to end her fast by deceiving her. Then the brothers reflected a mirror through Pipal tree leaves. The sister, taken it as moonrise, broke the fast and took food. However, the moment the queen ate her dinner, she received the news that her husband, the king, was seriously ill. She did not keep the fast properly. When Veeravati
begged forgiveness, Goddess Parvati granted that her husband would revive only when she completes her fast under strict conditions. The
queen observed the fast and thus revived the life of her husband.
On the day of Karva Chauth married women wake up before dawn. They take bath and invoke blessings of Goddess Parvati for their husband's long life.
name 'Karva Chauth'. It is a traditional fast undertaken by married Hindu women who offer prayers seeking the welfare, prosperity, well-being, and longevity of their husbands. Karwa Chauth falls about nine days before diwali on the Kartik Chauth some time in October or November. Fast of Karwa Chauth is quite tough as women are supposed to go without food or water for the entire day. Long time ago, there lived a beautiful girl by the name of Veeravati. She was the only sister of her seven loving brothers, who was married 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 strict fast. However, the queen couldn't stand the rigors of fasting and was desperately
waiting for the moon to rise. The seven brothers, who loved her dearly, were very disturbed watching the distress of their sister and decided to end her fast by deceiving her. Then the brothers reflected a mirror through Pipal tree leaves. The sister, taken it as moonrise, broke the fast and took food. However, the moment the queen ate her dinner, she received the news that her husband, the king, was seriously ill. She did not keep the fast properly. When Veeravati
begged forgiveness, Goddess Parvati granted that her husband would revive only when she completes her fast under strict conditions. The
queen observed the fast and thus revived the life of her husband.
On the day of Karva Chauth married women wake up before dawn. They take bath and invoke blessings of Goddess Parvati for their husband's long life.
Women are then given a sumptuous meal called 'Sargi' by mother-in-
law to eat before sunrise, as the fast starts before sunrise and ends only after worshiping the moon at night. It is a tough fast, as after the Sargi women are not supposed to take any
form of food or liquid. In the day, the married woman receives the baya or a basket full of goodies from her mother, which is meant for the mother-in-law. The most joyous part of Karwa Chauth is the Puja held in the evening. A large number of elegantly dressed women gather in a temple or in somebody's house for
Puja. Women pray to Goddess Parvati or Gauri Ma for the well being and long life of their husbands. The fast is broken once the moon is
sighted and special rituals and prayers marking the day have been offered. At night when the moon appears, women break their
fast after offering water to the moon.
In the evening, women dress up in special clothes, usually a red or pink sari or 'lehenga- choli' with gold woven 'zari' patterns. New
brides often wear their bridal costume.
law to eat before sunrise, as the fast starts before sunrise and ends only after worshiping the moon at night. It is a tough fast, as after the Sargi women are not supposed to take any
form of food or liquid. In the day, the married woman receives the baya or a basket full of goodies from her mother, which is meant for the mother-in-law. The most joyous part of Karwa Chauth is the Puja held in the evening. A large number of elegantly dressed women gather in a temple or in somebody's house for
Puja. Women pray to Goddess Parvati or Gauri Ma for the well being and long life of their husbands. The fast is broken once the moon is
sighted and special rituals and prayers marking the day have been offered. At night when the moon appears, women break their
fast after offering water to the moon.
In the evening, women dress up in special clothes, usually a red or pink sari or 'lehenga- choli' with gold woven 'zari' patterns. New
brides often wear their bridal costume.
All deck up in jewelry. Decorative 'bindis' on the forehead are a must for all women taking part in this celebration. Fasting women from all
over the neighborhood gather in a group and narrate the story of Karwa Chauth that underscore the significance of Karwa Chauth
and sing the Karwachauth song while rotating the thalis containing Baya . Once the moon rises, the women see its reflection in a thali of water, or through a dupatta or a sieve. They offer water to the moon and seek blessings. They pray for the
safety, prosperity and long life of their
husbands and sing a Karwachauth ark song. She is then given a piece of sweet and sip of water by her husband. Hands over the Baya to
the monther-in-law or any elderly lady of the household and seeks the blessings. Then comes the much awaited sumptuous dinner.
This marks the end of a day long fast.
over the neighborhood gather in a group and narrate the story of Karwa Chauth that underscore the significance of Karwa Chauth
and sing the Karwachauth song while rotating the thalis containing Baya . Once the moon rises, the women see its reflection in a thali of water, or through a dupatta or a sieve. They offer water to the moon and seek blessings. They pray for the
safety, prosperity and long life of their
husbands and sing a Karwachauth ark song. She is then given a piece of sweet and sip of water by her husband. Hands over the Baya to
the monther-in-law or any elderly lady of the household and seeks the blessings. Then comes the much awaited sumptuous dinner.
This marks the end of a day long fast.
