Karwa Chauth is known to be of great interest to the married women of the Indian Society. It is celebrated by the women belonging to the Hindu community in the subcontinent. This puja is based on the lunisolar calendar which accounts for all astronomical positions, especially positions of the moon which is used as a marker to calculate important dates. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon, in the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Kartik.
The main ritual surrounding this festivity is the observation of fasting, done by the women, from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands. The women begin preparing for Karwa Chauth a few days in advance, by buying adornments (shringar), jewelry, and puja items, such as the Karwa lamps, methi, henna, and the decorated puja thali (plate). Each fasting woman lights an earthen lamp in her thali while listening to the Karwa story. Sindoor, incense sticks, and rice are also kept in the thali. The husband then takes the water from the thali and offers it to his wife; taking her first sip of water during the day, the fast is now broken and the woman can have a complete meal.
Also, on this occasion, fasting women choose to wear Karwa Chauth special dresses like a traditional saree or lehenga to look their best. In some regions, women wear traditional dresses of their states. The whole ceremony is to create strong and meaningful bondage between the husband and wife. Have you ever celebrated or seen the Karwa Chauth celebration?
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