Today is Karwa Chauth. This festival is celebrated in most parts of the country.Through out Punjab, U.P.,Rajasthan, Bihar,Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir it is celebrated with great enthusiasm .This festival falls on the tenth day after Dusshera and ten days before Diwali. Women observe fast for the longevity of their husbands.The preparations start several days before the festival. Colorful dresses, bangles, cosmetics are purchased. Decorative mehendi applied. It is almost like a bridal preparation.. Early morning before sunrise, women take a meal, The spread is known as Sargi, consisting of many sweets, fruits, coconut, and feni( a sort of sevian, which is a must ).All these goodies are sent by the mother of the lady.The rest of the day ladies are not supposed drink even water. Before sunset, dressed as brides, the ladies assemble in their best attire, in a temple or some one house.They exchange plates full of eatables . The plates are passed on in rotation seven times.While plates are circulated the ladies sing a song associated with Karwa Chauth. Then the temple priest or an elderly lady narrates the story of the origin of the festival. In our house, some ladies assemble and I take the role of the story teller. I have observed that many ladies , specially youngsters, either dont know the story or dont even listen to it.They consider it as a part of the ritual.I am writing this folk tale in brief, particularly for newly married girls.. There was a girl ,named Veera,who was the only sister of six brothers. After her marriage on the first Karwa Chauth, she went to her parents house. At dusk time she felt thirsty. Her brothers could not see her unhappy. They burnt some trees and told the sister that moon was visible. She took water and the news came that her husband 's body was full of pinpricks. and he died. She ran towards her in laws house, when she heard a voice that she was not at fault.She was directed go home and sprinkle holy water on him.She got the blessings of the goddess.
In the evening,when the moon rises,women light a diya and see the moon through a sieve and pray for the husband's welfare. The husband gives the first sip of water,after the fast to his spouse. Of late Bollywood movies show the glamour and festivities connected with festival. So the people have started celebrating with great pomp and show Now a days many husbands have started fasting to give company to their beloved wives and give them gifts.Given below are some pictures of the festivities and rituals observed on Karwa Chauth. (pics courtesy google )
Being a South Indian, my knowledge of this festival was limited to Bollywood and TV info. Thanks to you,I now know the real story behind it Ushaji. In South India we perform Vat Savitri Vrat and Varamahalakshmi puja with similar intent.
ReplyDeleteThank you Reshma.All the vrats have the same significance,Based on cultural and mythological traditions, for all these practices the purpose is the same.
DeleteI had no knowledge about it though I knew it had the similar significance of us tamilians tying Sheradu, Thanks for sharing Usha.
ReplyDeleteThank you Padmaja. Yes, it is correct that the significance is the same but the modern generation does not observe it with the same sanctity as before.
DeleteHi Usha Mam,
ReplyDeleteJust yesterday one of my male colleagues was telling me that his wife was observing the KC vrat at home in India, while he was here. This concept of 'my forsaking my pleasures for his well-being', is a concept which knows no geographical barriers !
Thanks for the story....I didn't know it, even though I've seen KC celebrations when I was at Delhi as a young girl.
As mentioned by Padmaja and Reshma above, here is Kaaradayaan Nombu ( which Padmaja has spoken about) and also Savitri Vratam as Reshma has mentioned.
Good Post !
Thank you Sreeja.Actually I am a North Indian, and my hubby is from the South, We celebrate all festivals of both states.The glamor attached to this festival is so much that many youngsters do not know the exact implications and the depth of the festival.The purpose of Savitri vrat, and the KC is the same.
DeleteKarva Chauth is a festival which celebrates the marriage and the sacrifices the woman makes! Nice post Ushaji:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Rahul for your words of appreciation.
DeleteI attended one of the ceremonies of Karwachauth where they exchanged the plates like you have mentioned. One of my friends( she was from parwanoo in HP) she narrated the story of lord ganeshji. It went something like chutuk baneer ki kahani.
ReplyDeleteYes, movies have glamorized this, but yesterday i saw some of my north indian friends with mehendi and all those finery waiting for the moon. A beautiful sight it was.
We have similar vrats down in south called sati savitri vrat and varalakshmi vrat.
Thank you Asha. The significance of all these vrats is the same. Since I and my hubby represent two different states (North and South ) we celebrate festivals of both, North and South.
DeleteThanks for sharing so much about Karva Chauth! Now-a-days, this is the only fast that I observe... no, I do fast for ahoi ashtami too! Love the festivities around Karva Chauth :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Shilpa. I have a fast on KC and on Guru Poornima.
DeleteThe festival is popular thanks to Bollywood. The folk tale was interesting
ReplyDeleteThank you Jaishree. Glad that you liked the story.
DeleteI just wanted to add a comment to mention thanks for your post. This post is really interesting and quite helpful for us. Keep sharing.
ReplyDeletekarwa chauth