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Karwa Chauth is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated extensively in North India. It is a ritual of fasting, which is observed by the married Hindu women. The festival is celebrated on the fourth day after Sharad Purnima. ‘Karwa’ means earthen pot or pitcher while ‘Chauth’ stands for the fourth day in the Lunar calendar. It usually falls nine days before Diwali. On this day Hindu married women pray for the well-being, prosperity and longevity of their husband. It is considered to be the most important day for the Hindu women and the fast observed by them holds special significance. This fast starts before the sun rises and is broken only after worshipping the moon at night. The festival holds immense cultural and social significance for the women of India and is celebrated with great dedication, enthusiasm and zeal.
Several legendary tales are associated with the festival of Karwa Chauth. There is the story of Queen Veeravati, the legend of Mahabharata, the legend of Karva, the story of Satyavan and Savitri and others.
On the day of Karwa Chauth, it is the custom of the married women to wake up before dawn. They take their bath and offer their prayers to Goddess Parvati for their husband’s longevity. They are then given a sumptuous meal known as ‘Sargi’ by the mother-in-law, which they have to take before sunrise. They cannot eat or drink anything all through the day.
In the evening women dress up in their best attire, wear jewelry and apply mehendi on their hands. As the custom demands they need to wear heavy saris or lehenga-choli, preferably of red or pink color. They then gather at one place and narrate mythological stories associated with Karwa Chauth. The fast is broken after the worship of the moon. The puja ritual comprises of seeing the reflection of the moon in a thali of water or a sieve, offering of water to the moon and seeking the blessings of their husband. Thereafter, they savor the special meal that is prepared for the occasion. The elaborate and tough rituals observed by the women during Karwa Chauth establish their extreme love and devotion to their husband. In return they get lavish gifts from their husband.
Last Updated On: 2011/07/04
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