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Millions of Hindu women will fast tomorrow for Karwa Chauth, a tradition deeply rooted in the Hindu religion and considered to be one of the most important fasts observed by the married Hindu woman. On this day the woman fasts and prays for the welfare, prosperity, well-being and long life of her husband. Karwa Chauth was traditionally practiced in Northern India, but today many women observe the holiday all over the world.
Many of us know about the tradition since it’s often shown in Bollywood movies or we observed our mother’s following it. Today, Karva Chauth is not only practiced by women, but men as well. Some husbands join their wives and keep them company for this long fast. This became increasingly popular after the release of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, where the character Raj also fasted for his love Simran in the movie.
To provide a better understanding of Karwa Chauth, CitySaheli asked some practitioners about exactly what the day entails.
What is Karwa Chauth?
Karwa Chauth is a one day fast that prohibits the consumption of food and water. The ritual signifies extreme love and devotion by a wife to her husband.
What does the festival entail?
Married women eat food early in the morning, before sunrise, which is known as sargi. Usually, the mother-in-law sends sargi, which includes various foods and sweets for the wife to eat before the fast in the morning.
Historically, the morning passes by with other festive activities like decorating hands and feet with henna and meeting friends and relatives. During the day, women get ready for the religious ceremony and the breaking of the fast. Henna is commonly applied as women get prepared to look beautiful in the evening.
Ceremony
In the late afternoon women gather at a common place like a temple, a garden or a home where the evening prayer has been arranged. An elderly lady or the pujarin (priest) narrates the legend of Karwa Chauth. The essentials of this gathering are listening to the Karwa Chauth story, a special mud pot, that is considered a symbol of lord Ganesha, a metal urn filled with water, flowers, idols of Ambika Gaur Mata, Goddess Parwati and some fruits and food grains. A part of this is offered to the deities and the storyteller. Everyone lights an earthen lamp in their thalis (dish) while listening to the Karwa story. Sindoor, incense sticks and rice are also kept in the thali.
Once the moon rises, the women see its reflection in a thali of water or through a sieve. They offer water to the moon and seek blessings. They pray for the safety, prosperity and long life of their husbands. This marks the end of the day long fast and the celebration begins.
Karwa Chauth Today
Historically, Karwa Chauth was an opportunity for the new wife of the house to become closer to the women in the home and the neighborhood. It also gave women a good reason to get dressed up in beautiful garb and jewelry. Traditionally, woman’s emotions for her husband (and vice versa) were not shown, but in the the moon ceremony, love and adoration is displayed. Today, many carry on the tradition. Often men fast as well because they too want to endure the same sacrifice as their wives. The holiday brings together women and men in a lovely celebration of love and life.
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