We all have our reasons to do what we do and I have mine. I have been reading a lot recently about how some women denounce karva chauth. There is only one thing I would say on the onset, never conform to norms because they exist. Do it, if you believe in it if you draw some meaning from it and when you do adopt it, in whatever version you do, stop judging those around for their version of it. If you haven’t adapted it for reasons best known to you, do not think it’s cool to criticise others. I see a lot of women, so-called “modern women” shun certain norms because they think being different will get them the limelight and it does. Purpose solved.
I come from a slightly different mindset. Yes, I believe in shunning the norms that pull the women down but I think this festival is a little misunderstood.
What started as a celebration of bonding between Godsisters, yes you read that right but we will come to that later, transformed into wishing longevity for your husband. Family members sometimes forcing it down the woman’s throat. When you force someone to do something or when you fast because it’s fashionable and you get a chance to dress up with forty other women in the building, that’s when it starts becoming oppressive.
Coming back to the origin of this festival, now this is very interesting and I am sure that most of you would not be aware of this. While the first note about it is found in scriptures when Draupadi fasts for Arjun, the festival actually was a ceremony to bond a bride and her GodSister.
Earlier in India, women were married off early and when they stayed at their in-laws home, they would have no connectivity to their family. That’s why they needed a confidante, who they could share their issues with. Someone who was by their side all the time and who they could seek help from. Karva Chauth was started to as a festival to celebrate this relationship between the brides and their God-sisters.
The husband was always be associated with this festival as the day of starting this friendship between the two God sisters started on the day of the marriage. Quite fascinating, isn’t it?
Sounds logical to me as even today you see women perform the ceremony by exchanging karvas in a large group and reading out kathas.
It’s a more inclusive festival than you and I have ever imagined. Thanks to Bollywood and Ekta Kapoor serials it has become more a saga than a simple ceremony.
http://maaofallblogs.com/2015/10/karva-chauth-simplified.html/
Though many people have stopped fasting thanks to the new wave of feminism and equality for women, there are many who continue the tradition with gusto. Nowadays even men fast for their better halves and refrain from eating anything to express their care for the wives. Again, I do it because that one day I feel connected to my husband and when I observe a festival, I like to go all in. Here are some fun reasons on why you could celebrate it;
1. Gifts! Ya, some of us get those.
2. Bonding time with the saasu-maa.
3.Time to show off those jewels and that new designer dress
4. Rekindling the romance. I mean come on, he should feel obliged, just a little maybe?
5. Shedding a few kilos
6. Enjoying the feast that you cooked at the end of the day.
If you still don’t agree, don’t mind me, I am just a non-stereotypical modern woman, trying to co-exist in this space of feminism.
Reading your post while I am fasting. I enjoy this day, although I am not a big follower of traditions as such. Loved your thoughts and way you brought up the subject.
Great that even modern Indian women follow this tradition! ?
I too fast because I love gifts ?n then feel special as he makes me
Yes I agree with you. There are many reasons for us to celebrate this festival of love with love .
I really loved reading your blog post, very insightful. I always loved this festival.
This is definitely a different take on Karwa Chuth, I love to observe this fast not for any other reason but for my OWN choice and solely because I Like doing it.
Enjoyed reading your blog post its a beautiful festival
I don’t keep fast for karwa chauth as it is not in my tradition but I always want to keep… I love the way the festival is celebrated… Happy Karwachauth to you…