'Karva Chauth' is the festival observed by the married women of our
country. It is celebrated for ensuring wedded bliss and wishing long
life for their husbands and children. A married woman who observes this
vrat or fast is called' Saubhagyavati' (joyous and happy state of
wifehood). It is one of the most famous fasts among the Indian married
women. The fast of Karva Chauth is of particular importance to Hindu
women as they believe it ensures the well-being, prosperity and
longevity of their husbands. The origin of this festival was based on a
very noble idea. Though this idea has lost its true sense as today the
whole outlook of this festival has changed. This Hindu festival has a
cultural and social significance. It is mostly celebrated in the
northern part of India with great enthusiasm. On this day woman apply
mehendi (henna) on their hands and worships the moon. The festival of
Karva Chauth has an extraordinary observance rate among married Hindu
women in the northern part of India in places like Punjab, Rajasthan,
Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. On this day married women keep a fast for the
well-being and long life of their husbands. The celebration of Karva
Chauth varies from region to region depending on the culture and
traditions of that state.
Karva Chauth is observed on the fourth day of the dark fortnight of
Ashwin, which is also called Kartik according to some calendars. There
are various traditions and rituals associated with the celebration of
Karva Chauth. The important rituals involving the festival include
worshipping 'karvas' spherical clay pots with symbols for married women
and sweets. They are later exchanged with other married women. People
observe fasts all days long, then worship the 'karva' and the elderly
woman of the family narrates the legend of Karva Chauth (the narration
of Vrata Katha). Then they wait for the moon to rise and as soon as the
moon is sighted, prayers are offered to the moon. The fasting women
first observe the moon through a sieve and then break their fast. The
first sip of water and the first bite of food are offered by the
husband. Later on sumptuous dinner is served as a part of the
celebration.
