About Karva Chauth Festival

A married woman who observes this vrat is called ‘Saubhagyavati’ (joyous and happy state of wifehood). "Let the offerings of this Karwa (Karak (gift bring long life to my husband and may my saubhagya be everlasting". And express such desire that ‘May my death precede that of my husband so that I can enter the chitaa (funeral pyre) as a bride (not as a widow). This katha (narrative) first took place between Siva and parvati. Siva told Parvati about the significance of Karwa Vrat. In Dwapar Yuga, Draupadi asked Lord Krishna about the vrat of Karwa Chauth. Thereafter, the very first time this vrat was observed in the town of Shukraprastha by Veeravati, the daughter of Vedsharma and Leelavati. Ever since this vrat has been observed by married women till the present day.
The fast of Karwa Chauth is of particular importance to Hindu women as they believe it ensures the well-being, prosperity and longevity of their husbands. Thus Karwa Chauth started as a festival to celebrate the friendship (relationship) between the once-brides and their god-friends (god-sisters). Karwa Chauth has become more of a community festival Karwa Chauth is one such occasion when most married Hindu women in North India seek the blessings of God for their husband's long life. Karwa Chauth is observed on the fourth day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin, which is also called Kartik according to some calendars. Karwa Chauth falls about nine days before Diwali. It is the most important fast observed by Hindu women of North India. On this day married Hindu women offer prayers seeking the welfare, prosperity, and a long life of their husbands. Though it is a day marked with neither food nor water, this festival is quite popular among the newly weds. A few days before the festival, markets are full of items needed for the festival. The preparations for this festival start a week in advance. The day of Karwa Chauth is celebrated mostly amongst the entire North Indian community settled either in India and other parts of the world. The most important aspect of this day is that a dawn to dusk fast is undertaken by the North Indian ladies and seeing the moon they finally break the fast. The fast is unique perhaps because nowhere in the world does a wife go without food or water just to pray for the longevity and well-being of her husband.
The festival of Karwa Chauth provides an opportunity for all married women to get close to their in-laws. Possessing a tremendous social and cultural significance, this festival is celebrated by keeping fast, applying henna and exchange of gifts. Mother-in-laws buy 'sargi' for their daughter-in-laws. This 'sargi' consists of various types of sweetmeats, and sometime clothes. All these items are supposed to bring good luck to the women. There is great festivity on this day
Early in the morning they prepare food and have it before sunrise. The morning passes by in other festive activities like decorating hand and feet with heena, decorating the pooja thali and meeting friends and relatives. Read more.....