The Ballroom in The Residency Towers was packed to its capacity. There were ladies from all walks of life who had come to attend the fun-filled event called Karva Chauth. The event is the brainchild of event managing company, Amigos Siempre, owned by friends-turned-entrepreneurs Pooja Rao and Sandeep Kaur.

“Karva Chauth is a festival celebrated by Hindu women in North India. On this day, married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the health and longevity of their husbands. The fast is traditionally observed in the states of Rajasthan, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Punjab. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartik. Sometimes, unmarried women too observe the fast for their fiancés or desired husbands,” Pooja Rao explains.

This year, Karva Chauth will be celebrated on October 30. However, giving the ladies of Coimbatore an opportunity to be themselves and celebrate the spirit of being a married woman, the Amigos Siempre version of Karva Chauth had everything that a woman desires. Ladies were allowed to pick up bangles that match their attire. There were experts applying mehandi on the ladies’ palms. There was a round of housie. There were stalls put up by vendors who sold apparels for women, home accessories, mobile pouches, and beauty accessories.

Apart from all this, Karva Chauth celebration also gave married women an opportunity to walk the ramp and display their talents. The Mrs. Karva Chauth pageant was exclusively for married women. About 10 women participated in the pageant that consisted of three rounds. In the first round, contestants walked the ramp wearing their best attire. Round-2 was the question and answer round that had the participants expressing their views on women empowerment. Five of them made it to round-3, which was all about displaying their talents.

The pageant was judged by Dr. Asha Rao, Director of Rao Hospital; fitness freak and socialite Sonali Pradeep; and Secretary of RS Puram Ladies Club, Jasmeet Kaur. “I think this is a nice platform for the women to rediscover the spirit of womanhood in them. I’m looking for confidence, grace, and how the women carry themselves. Plus, I’m curious to know how these talented women can contribute to make a difference to the society. Above all, I’m thoroughly enjoying judging these talented women,” Dr Asha Rao said.

Lunch was served and the buffet had around 25 items in all. “I wish Coimbatore city has more events like these that encourage the women to come out and participate. I missed attending the event last year. I made it a point to attend the event this year,” Shalani, R. says.