Today is 29th October 2007 and this day is celebrated as Karva Chauth Vrat or fasting ritual for married women in India. The meaning of Karva is clay pot and Chauth is Fourth. That’s why Karva Chauth is celebrated on the fourth night after the full moon in Kartik month (Hindu calendar).
The old stories about Karva Chauth is that a queen once prayed to a Godess to win back her husband who was bewitched by another woman. According to another story, married women confront Yama, the Hindu Lord of death, for their husband's longevity. It also reveals the power of women to make even death bow down to their strength.
Karva Chauth is perhaps the most romantic of all Indian Festivals and is celebrated by the North Indian Community. On this day married women traditionally apply mehendi (henna) on their hands. Women pray and fast for their husband’s long life. The fast begins at sunrise. Some women do not eat or drink anything including water until the moon rises at night. Women enjoy the rituals and the accompanying festival.
At night when the moon rises, the wives see it either reflected on water or through a sieve, or offer their prayers. They then see their husbands face again reflected in the water or through the sieve with the moon, and pray for his long life. The husband then breaks her fast by giving her a sip of water and places something sweet in her mouth.
Karva Chauth is very popular, even young women whose marriages are in the offing observe the fast for their would-be husbands.
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5 comments:
Hi Champ,
This is a very important festial for women in India. Glad you wrote about it to increase awareness. Mein aapki mehnat ki daat deti hoon! Bahut accha!
Well written (as usual, because you write fabulously!)
Thanks again Meghna, Yes its important for every Women in India. This keeps couple close and spread trust amongst them.
nahi re meghna hum itni mehnat kahan karte hain, vaise tareef karne ke liye sukriya. I write what I think. Thanks again c u again.
really interesting post. it's always fascinating to learn about different cultures. it makes america look plain old boring...which, we kinda are!
Well we have lots of such nice cultures and different too, strange you don't have any such.
Nice post. Now, I understand why those small colourful shrines by the river in Northern India are for. I happen to go there this month. Do check up my trip to Buddhist sites at http://travelpangs.blogspot.com
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