September 27, 2019
Karwa Chauth is one of the major festivals here and those who are newlyweds should know about this festival. The word Karwa or Karva refers to a small earthen pot of water and chauth refers to fourth. This festival takes place four days after a full moon in the Hindu month of Kartika. It is a one-day festival that is celebrated mostly by the married women in mostly the North-Western part of India that includes regions like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, etc.
In a word, Karwa Chauth is celebrated as a prayer for the longevity of the husbands but way back in history this was all about praying for the long life of the soldiers who were in the duty of protecting a country in the borders.
Do You Know The Significance of Karwa Chauth?
The prime significance of this festival is love and care but there is more. Read below to know more:
1.If looked closely mostly the women of North and northwest India celebrate this festival. You should know that these are those regions of India from where a large chunk of the male population joined the Army or military. Thus for the safety of these men, the women back home used to fast. So, basically, this festival marks the respect and care towards those who protect the country at the borders. It is an assurance that there are people back home who are always praying for their long lives.
2.During Karwa Chauth festival, the Rabi cropping season also starts in North and northwest India. As a mark of gratitude towards God, the women in every family fills up the Karva or small earthen pot with wheat grains and offer to God. It is like offering the first grown crops to God because he is believed to be above all.
3.Another thing that is noticed during this festival is the congregation of women. Women belonging to the same society, building, or village gather and celebrate this festival. How did this ritual start? Actually, in ancient days, women were married off at a tender age like 10-13 years. So, in the age of enjoying childhood and realizing the burst of teenage, they were married.
Imagine a girl of 10-13 years of age carrying out the responsibility of a house? Communication was also bleak or weak in those days and those kids couldn’t even come home to be with their loved ones. So, Karwa Chauth allowed those women in those days to bond with each other. This festival thus signifies female friendship and bond too.
4.One can also say that this Karwa Chauth is a way to enjoy the fact that a woman is hale and hearty at her in-laws’ place.
5.During this festival, the women dress up in their best attires and complete the “Sholah-Shringar” and thus it signifies a happy married life too.
The Rituals of Karwa Chauth:
Early Morning:
The women have to get up way before sunrise and complete bath. Then, they worship Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartik, Goddess Parvati, and the moon. This praying is believed to shower the blessings of the Almighty to the husbands. This is also that time of the day when the mother-in-law has to prepare “sargi” for their daughter-in-law. This sargi must be eaten before sunrise because the fast stretches from the sunrise till the moonrise.
Sargi: It is the blessing of a mother-in-law for the daughter-in-law who is fasting for her son. This sargi thali includes the small earthen pots that carry food which is consumed in the morning. It consists of fresh fruits, fried snacks, mithai or kheer, dry fruits, and mathri. This food will keep the ladies strong all through the day.
P.S.: The women cannot eat any food or drink water all through the day.
Look of the day:
The women have to wear “sholah shringar” and look just like a new bride. So, new saree, ghaghra-choli, gold, diamond, etc. are bought before the festival for this auspicious day. The women has to dress up with these new apparels and jewelry in the evening and once she is dressed up she receives gifts from her mother-in-law.
Baya: Baya is the name given to the gift items that the mother-in-law showers on her daughter-in-law. It includes things like money, clothes, jeweler, cosmetics, vermilion, and sweets.
P.S.: For those women who will be celebrating their 1st Karwa Chauth, they should know that their family has to give gifts to the husband’s family. The gifts can include jewelers, money, clothes, sweets, etc.
Puja In The Evening:
For the puja in the evening, a corner of a house is selected and a puja chowk is created. It is then decorated with flowers and colorful papers or clothes as the background. On this platform, the image of Gauri Mata or Goddess Parvati is kept and then the rest of the rituals are followed.
Puja In Procession:
The women of the family or surrounding locality gather and sit around that image holding the thali of bayas on their hands. And every woman also places a karva or a pitcher full of water and 7 pieces of pua in front of them which is adorned with roli, kharia, and aipun. A red thread is tied around the Karva. At the beginning of the Puja, the women apply tika on Gauri Mata and also to themselves. Then with the 3rd finger of the right hand, water is sprinkled on the image of Gauri Mata and then rice is showered on the image.
Vrat Katha:
An elder woman of the family generally narrates the legendary tales of Karwa Chauth and that woman can be a widow also. Every woman then prays for the longevity of their husbands while chanting prayers and passing their bayas from one to another. They eagerly wait for the moon to rise and break their fast.
Breaking Fast & Watching The Moon:
Once the moon is up in the sky, the women first see the moon through a chhalni or sieve and then see the face of their husbands. The husbands then break the fast of the wives by making them drink water from the karva and feed the first morsel of food. This is then followed by a scrumptious dinner.
The Beautiful Karwa Chauth Gift Ideas:
The beautiful wives truly deserve an amazing gift for their love and dedication. The best Karwa Chauth gift ideas are as follows:
Flowers: A romantic bouquet of red roses or a heart-shaped arrangement of red roses would be a perfect gift for your wife on this day.
Exotic Chocolates: It would be really endearing to gift a box of delicious exotic chocolates to your wife and feed her that once she breaks the fast.
Personalized Gifts: You can get personalized mugs, cushions, clocks, engraved frame, LED lamps, rotating lamps, etc. as a token of your love, romance, and commitment.
Plants: Plants symbolize growth in relationship and long disease-free life. It also shows care and compassion towards a relationship. Thus, a plant would be a perfect gift for Karwa Chauth.
Cosmetics or Spa Hamper: A hamper consisting of all the brand new cosmetics or relaxing spa materials would be cherished by your partner.