It’s this one day when I go full traditional and my hubby gets to be a VIP for that one day. Why I follow this festival is a good question; since I am a Kayasth married to a Tamil Brahmin, so actually it’s not traditionally any of our family’s custom. My mom told me to follow his customs and his mom told me to do whatever I felt like, so basically I was left directionless.
While I was growing up, my friend’s mom used to get dressed in all bridal finery, put mehendi, cook some uncountable number of mouth-watering dishes, pray to the moon for her husband’s long life. I know it sounds very non-feminist, non-modern, very conforming, very unlike me. But that’s where you get me wrong, I may be unorthodox in my outlook but am I am very close to my culture. And these visuals have stuck to me since childhood. So that’s my background on why I observe the Karva chauth fast.
What’s Karva chauth?
Karva chauth is celebrated mostly in north India on the 4th day of Krishna paksh of kartik month. The term ‘Chauth’ means 4th day and Karwa is a earthen pot with a spout –which is a symbol of peace and prosperity. On this day women fast for their husband’s longevity.
I have no shame in conforming to this norm. This is that one day where I do give in, and pray for my partner, who I want by my side through all walks in life.
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So in today’s blog you will see this side of me, take you through the process of Karva chauth rituals, of course with my touch to it :). If you’re a new bride, this is your quick guide to know all of Karva chauth;
- Start a day in advance, by putting mehendi/Heena on your hands.
- On the main day, wake up Before sunrise, eat food/ popularly known as ‘Sargi’ or ‘Baya’. As per rituals they are not supposed to eat once the sun rises. Some people observe a stricter fast by not even having water( yours truly loses all her modern logic on that day and is amongst those crazy lots ;))
- Before sunset, listen to the Karwa Chauth Katha (Legend of Veeravathi ). Some pass their plates in a circle while listening to the story, some just pray to Mata Ambika.These plates are decorated with Solah Shringar(make-up items), an urn full of water or karwa, heena. I am attatching the below chart with the katha, which can be printed and pasted to be use for the katha. To get the exact process of how to do the katha, click on this link .
- Cook..cook..cook all day. Some 56 kinds of food if you’re that dedicated. Thankfully, here I draw a line and cook some 3-4 dishes. Some sanity still prevails. Imagine being around food all day and yet not eat it.
- Then wait for the elusive moon to rise. Somehow I have observed that the moon takes forever to rise on that night. And if you stay in a city like Mumbai, the high rises make the ‘moon-darshan’ even more exclusive.
- After the moonrise, pray to the moon and end your fast by your hubby feeding you the first bite. You make him feel special and feel accomplished after finishing your day without giving up on your resolution. After which, you typically end up hogging all that food that you have cooked. Gain more calories than a normal day, as Rujuta Diwekar would put it. But who cares?
So this was my ‘Karva chauth’ simplified story, what’s yours? If you have any funny incidents, cheat moments, do share with us. We would love to know.
Until then,
Signing Off,
You always make me read through the whole story. I am a total non reader. Only few write ups can keep me captivated till last. Your writing is one of them. Very nicely described and I respect your emotions and respect for Karva Chauth. In fact, this is very much in trend these days. No wonder if women in the world start following it. So fascinating it is.
Thank you Nidhi, you are very kind with your comment
Good one Prerna! Although being a popular tradition involves women who are married and depict fasting throughout the day, longevity and good health of their husbands. When Indian men fast for their wives.
It does involve fasting through the day, but once in a year is A-ok for me :)!
Haha being a sailors wife and staying alone thought cheating wod be easy but after all that fast all day if u chear then it feels no good so YES no cheating for me? wil keep the fast and njoy every moment of this beautiful culture our elders hv braught us up with! And obv for a hubby like mine I can keep it twice a year too? ( hope lil cheating wod be allowed on the second one?)
Enjoy all the karvachauth mines is special as hubby is bck jst on time for this day !
This is good info for someone like me who is new to this tradition 🙂 Thanks for sharing dear :- )
This is amongst those Indian festivals that are celebrated with great fervor by the Hindu and Punjabi married ladies. The traditions of these festivals have been followed since ancient times now. There have always been popular stories for the celebration of each festival and the same is with Karwa Chauth. One such story is of Savitri and Satyavan; whereas the other is of Queen Veeravati. According to both the stories, your husband can live longer by fasting and praying for them with true devotion.
It is believed that Savitri fasted rigorously when Lord Yamaraj refused to spare her husband’s life. All that she did during the fast is prayers with true devotion. This was the time when she did not even sip water or gnaw a bite. Feeling compelled with her devotion, Lord Yamaraj bestowed life to Satyavan. Thereby, women started fasting on Karwa Chauth for their husband.
Queen Veeravati’s seven loving brothers could not watch her sister being hungry and they showed her a false moon. Being unaware of this, Queen Veeravati broke her fast and had dinner. Her husband passed away the very next moment. On receiving this news, she immediately rushed to her husband’s palace. While she was on her way, Goddess Parvati explained Veeravati that she ended the fast seeing a false moon. Veeravati was stunned and requested forgiveness to Goddess Parvati. In order to grant forgiveness, Veeravati was asked to follow Karwa Chauth fast strictly. She completed the fast with devotion and her husband’s life was revived.
Karwa Chauth is celebrated on Kartik ki Chauth according to Hindu Calendar. Ideally, as per the calculations, this day is exactly 8 days prior to Diwali. Whereas, according to the Gregorian calendar, 17th October, 2019 is the day to celebrate Karwa Chauth this year. The days are not far away. So, why delay in Karwa Chauth Puja samagri?
Please do add what different gifts husband can give to their wife and other ways to make her feel special!!!
YOu have shared wonderful information. I know the value of Karwa chauth. My husband always give me different gifts always.
So lucky. I get nothing 🙂