What is Karva Chauth?
Karva Chauth is a one-day festival which is held every year in North India and certain areas of Pakistan. This festival is observed by the Hindu and Sikh Women in Northern and Western India in states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat. In 2011, this festival will be observed on October 15.Why is it celebrated?
Women of India celebrate Karva Chauth for the security and long life of their husbands. They perform fast from the break of the day till moonrise. On certain occasions, single women perform the fast to pray for their beloved fiancés or groom-to-bes.When is it celebrated?
Karva Chauth is observed on the fourth day following the full moon in the month of Kartik (during Krishna Paksha) according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar and this takes place after the Autumnal Equinox.What is the significance of Karva Chauth?
The festival of Karva Chauth has a lot of significance in the Hindu women’s life since during this occasion, they pray for their husbands’ long life and safety. The festival is a sign of love and affection between a wife and a husband in contemporary society of North India.What are the rituals involved?
Women start getting ready for Karva Chauth one or two days beforehand by purchasing conventional ornaments, decorative items, shringar (toiletries) and articles required for the pooja like matthi, karwa diyas, embellished puja plate or thali, and henna. On the day of fasting, Punjabi women wake up to consume food and drink only prior to daybreak. Women in the state of Uttar Pradesh take soot feni with sugar and milk the day before the event since this assists them to sustain without water. In Punjab, this food is known as sargi. The fast starts at sunrise. Women who fast during this festival do not take food or drink water. Friends and family members come to the house and women put on henna and make up on each other.In the evening, women put on new clothes and ornaments. Women in Uttar Pradesh put on sarees or lehengas. In places like Chandigarh in Punjab, the festival is observed with a lot of zeal and women sing the Karva Chauth song seven times.
Last Updated on 09/19/2011
| Festivals of India | |
