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Karwa Chauth – A Reflection of Joy, Splendor, Brightness and Happiness In Married Life.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Readers of this post are recommended to read my earlier post Hartalika Teej under the label Hinduism
http://meghanaunleashed.blogspot.com/2009/08/hartalika-teej-festival-of-hindu-women.html



Karwa Chauth falls about nine days before Diwali. It is celebrated on the chaturthi tithi after the full Moon in the month of kartik in the Hindu calendar It is the most important fast observed by Hindu women of North India. The festival of Karva Chauth is symbolic of the unflagging loyalty of a wife towards her husband. As the name signifies, Karva meaning a clay pot and Chauth corresponding to the fourth, this festival is commemorated on the the fourth day after the Full Moon in Kartik month of Hindu calendar.

Married women keep a strict fast and do not take even a drop of water and pray for the prosperity and longevity of their husbands life. After having the scrumptious meal called 'sargi' in the pre-dawn time, women observe a one-day fast for Karwa Chauth. They break the fast only after having a glimpse of the moon rise (on their thali that is filled with water or through a sieve) and their husband. Before the moon rise, around 4 -5 pm all married women gather at one place and narrate the Vrat Katha . The important rituals involving the festival include worshipping 'Karwas' spherical clay pots with symbols for married women and sweets. Now a days steel Karwa’s are available in the market. They are later exchanged with other married women As a part of the tradition, a two-inch tall idol of Goddess Gauri is made using cow dung and a picture of the idol is kept aside, because she is the deity worshipped on the day.

As all Hindu festival has some scientific or social cause behind its celebration, Karwa Chauth also has a social cause attached to its celebration. This time of the year is just after the harvest of Kharif (monsoon) crops and people are usually in a festive mood. This is time when people gather and celebrate the harvest and exchange gifts. This festival gives a chance the bride a chance to get close to her ill-laws. Usually, women receive beautiful gifts from their husbands and relatives on this day, as a gesture of their love and care. Karwa Chauth is an occasion that encourages people to gather and socialize with friends and family, exchange gifts and share home-cooked meals.

This year Karwa Chauth would be celebrated on 7th October 2009.

5 comments:

Juhi said...

hey nice post Meghana, I also fast on karvacauth( actually this is the only one I do), the best part is I can ask for some nice (read expensive :) ) gift from my husband!!do you keep the fast?

Meghana said...

Thanks Juhi!

Yes I also fast and of course i also never leave my gift, after all its my right :).Apart from Karwa chauth i fast on first day of both Navrati's and Mahashivratri and a weekly fast of Monday.But Karwa Chauth is the most difficult one thats the day i understand the importance of moon:).

Prashansa said...

Nice informative post Meghana!It is a very difficult fast!Best of luck tp you!

Meghana said...

Thanks Pra!

TLZ said...

Hi Meghana Thanks for updating this coz according to google calender karwa chauth is on 8th of oct and had also applied for leave for 8th now I got to cancel and make it for 7th of Oct.Thanks!