Karva Chauth is a very grand festival observed by married Hindu women. This is a one-day festival in which the female folks observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise for the longevity and safety of their husbands. Karva Chauth is observed on the ‘Chaturthi’ that is the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the month of Kartik as per the Hindu lunisolar calendar. Whereas according to the Amanta calendar that is followed in the Maharashtra, Gujarat and Southern India, Karva Chauth is observed during the ‘Ashwin’ month. However, it is only the name of the month that differs in different states; the spirit of celebration remains the same everywhere.
Karva Chauth is also referred as ‘Karak
Chaturthi’ in some places. ‘Karva’ or ‘karak’ in Hindi means ‘a pot’ while
‘chauth’ implies ‘fourth day’. This earthen pot is then used to make water
offerings to the moon on the fourth day after the full moon, during the Kartik
month. The karwa also called as ‘Argha’ is considered very auspicious and given
away to an eligible woman in the family or to Brahmin as ‘Dan’ after the puja.
The festival of Karva Chauth is celebrated with immense fervour and zeal all
over India. In the northern states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana
and Himachal Pradesh the festivities are observed on a grandeur scale. Karva
Chauth is celebrated as ‘Chhath’ in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand,
Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The festival of Karva Chauth also coincides
with a one-day festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, known as ‘Sankashti
Chaturthi’.
In India, Karva Chauth holds immense
significance for the married Hindu women. Observing this festival ensures
longevity, well-being and prosperity of their husbands. With rapid commercialisation
the celebrations of Karva Chauth vrat is getting grandeur with every passing
day. The occasion of Karva Chauth marks the beginning of the feasting and the
festivity that is experienced during Diwali, the grand Hindu festival that
comes after nine days. With so much fun, frolic and extravaganza involved the
fasting is not the same as before.
Rituals
of the Karva Chauth Vrat:
- The main aspect
of the Karva Chauth vrat is the fast from dawn to dusk observed by both
married and unmarried women. The women observe this fast without eating or
drinking anything till the time they see the moon. The Karva Chauth vrat
is unique in a way that nowhere in the world, married women observe this
strict fast for the welfare of their husbands.
- The tradition
of applying mehendi or henna is an integral part of Karva Chauth. In the
Hindu culture, mehendi is symbolic of good fortune for married women. On
the day of Karva Chauth women apply mehendi on the hands and feet. It is a
belief that if the color of the mehendi is dark it is indicative that the
lady will get plenty of care and love from her husband. Henna artists
apply intricate and fascinating designs. For the Hindu married women,
mehendi does not only color their hands, it also fills their life with
ecstasy and joy.
- On the occasion
of Karva Chauth, married women receive beautiful and expensive gifts from
their husbands and in-laws. The gifts can be anything from bangles,
jewelry, henna, lehenga choli, sarees and other traditional gifts. The custom
of gifting to their wives is an expression of love and strengthens the
bond of love between man and wife. Women feel very satisfied and love
after receiving gifts from their loved ones.
- On the
auspicious day of Karva Chauth, women get up before sunrise and eat the
food that is especially prepared, known as ‘sargi’. After this they are
not allowed to drink even a drop of water. In the evening, all the women
observing the Karva Chauth vrat dress up beautifully in their bridal
jewelry. Newlywed brides even adorn their bridal costume. On this day,
Lord Shiva is worshipped along with Goddess Parvati and their son
‘Kartikeya’. Women collectively listen to the Karva Chauth vrat katha.
- The fast is
broken after moonrise. Every woman holds a sieve and first looks towards
her husband and then at the moon. Following this, they perform an aarti of
their respective husbands and take their blessings. As a part of the
ritual, the husbands give their wives, the first sip of water and a bite
of food. After this all the women observing the Karva Chauth vrat take the
blessings of the elders in their family. The Karva used for ‘argh’ to moon
is then given to an elderly lady or even to a Brahmin as ‘dan’. All the
women of the household then collectively gather and together enjoy the
scrumptious spread of food prepared.
2017 Date : 8th October.
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