Karva Chauth is a unique fasting festival which witness only in India. This festival is celebrated once a year on the fourth day of ‘Karthik month’ of the Hindu calendar. The term ‘Karva’ means earthen pot, which symbolizes peace and prosperity. And the ‘Chauth’ refers to ‘fourth day.’ This year Karva Chauth celebrated on 19th October 2016.
It is one of the many beloved occasions in India. Where families and friends get together and perform rituals which differ from region to region. Many pooja rituals performed on this day, and several mouth-watering delicious dishes are also prepared too. However, the ritual that forms an important part of this festival is the fasting ceremony. Mostly married Hindu women celebrates Karwa Chauth.
This fasting made for the well-being of their husbands which takes place from sunrise to sunset. The aim behind the celebration of Karva Chauth is an honourable one, and has added an interesting aspect to Indian culture. The relation between husband & wife and the respect among their families is what Karva Chauth aims to achieve by the performance of rituals.
On this day married women eat food early in the morning, i.e., before the sunrise. They are not supposed to eat or even drink water whole day. In the evening the women listen to the Karva Chauth Katha.
Once the moon rises, the ladies see its reflection in a thali filled with water or through a dupatta or a sieve. They offer water to the moon and seek blessings. They pray for the safety, prosperity and long life happiness of their husbands. This marks the end of the day-long fast.
The festival of Karva Chauth is celebrated mostly in North India. This event is growing bigger with every passing year. In addition to the popular items such as Karva Chauth Mehndi designs, beauty products and fashionable clothes, the demand of unique eateries are also gearing up. Nowadays, Karwa Chauth is more of a fun ritual than a serious festival.
With the addition of mythical tales soon after. Karva Chauth became a very religious one and the enriched with the significance of this festival. The narration of many stories representing the famous festival also became a long-standing tradition, followed even today.
Various pooja rituals and customs are the essential features that formed on this festival day over the passage of time. Today’s, Karva Chauth festival observed as a special day of love between wife and husband.
The rituals and tales made this festival more exciting and widespread. Women’s enjoy this day and prepare by keeping Karva Chauth Mehndi Designs on their hands, buying new clothes, ornaments, etc. The festival popularized through Bollywood films, which made a significant impact on the Indian people.