Karwa Chauth: Celebrating the Sacred Relationship

Karwa Chauth is an important Hindu festival for all the married women. It is celebrated in northern India . This festival celebrates the sacred relationship between a husband and wife. It strengthens the bonding between husband and wife. This festival is observed by the women with utmost devotion and love towards their husband. In India , marriages are believed to be pure and sacred bonding. A day long fast is observed by the women with complete dedication for the wellbeing and long life of their husband.

Date of Karwa Chauth:

Karwa Chauth is celebrated on the fourth day after full moon day in the Kartik month according to Hindu calendar. It comes in the month of October or November. Also, it comes just 12 days before Diwali, festival of lights.

Celebration of Karwa Chauth:

All the married women observe fast from dawn till the moonrise in the night. They do not take any kind of food and water. This is the most difficult fast for all the Hindu festivals.

Married women celebrate this festival with much enthusiasm and joy. They wear their best dress of bright colour meant for married women like red or maroon or wedding dress and all the jewelry. They are supposed to wear full makeup and adorn their hands with Mehandi (henna). They wear lots of bangles.

Before start fasting, women getup early in the morning before sunrise to take sweets. This tradition is called ‘Sargi’ which is often given by their mother-in-law. Women of neighborhood gather at a place and story related to Karwa Chauth is narrated. After that women give “baya” which is a basket of sweets and gifts to their mother-in-law to get her blessings. After that they worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for long life of their husband.

At night, they watch moonrise and offer water to the moon. After that they take water and food from the hands of their husbands. Then only break their fast.