Karwa Chauth is one of the most significant and celebrated festivals in India, especially for married women. It falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Kartik (usually October or November) and is observed by married women in various parts of India, especially in North India. The festival holds great importance in the Hindu culture and is marked by various rituals and customs that add to its charm and significance.
The Significance of Karwa Chauth
The festival of Karwa Chauth holds immense significance in the Hindu culture, especially for married women. It is believed that by observing this fast, a woman can add years to her husband’s life and ensure his well-being. This festival is also seen as a symbol of love, trust, and devotion between a husband and wife. On this day, married women pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands, and in return, the husbands express their love and gratitude towards their wives.
Rituals and Customs of Karwa Chauth:
Karwa Chauth is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm by married women, who follow various rituals and customs to make this day special. Let’s take a closer look at some of the major rituals and customs associated with Karwa Chauth.
Sargi – The Fasting Ritual:
The day of Karwa Chauth starts with the ritual of Sargi, which is a pre-dawn meal prepared by the mother-in-law for her daughter-in-law. It is considered an important ritual as it is believed that the mother-in-law’s blessings and wishes can add to the strength of the fast and bring good luck to the married couple. The meal typically includes a variety of sweet and savory dishes to provide energy for the day-long fast.
Observing the Fast:
The fast of Karwa Chauth is considered one of the toughest fasts in the Hindu religion as it involves abstaining from water and food for the entire day. Married women begin their fast from sunrise and break it only after they sight the moon. The fast is observed with great dedication and devotion, and women often spend their day praying, performing puja, and reading the Karwa Chauth story.
Bayna and Pooja Thali:
In the evening, married women gather at a common place, usually at a temple or a community hall, to perform the Karwa Chauth puja. The puja thali is an essential part of this ritual, and it contains all the items required for the puja, such as a sieve, a small pot filled with water, incense sticks, a lit diya, and sweets. The women sit in a circle and pass the thali to one another, while singing traditional songs and offering prayers to the moon for the well-being and long life of their husbands.
Ritual of Bayna:
The ritual of Bayna is an important tradition associated with Karwa Chauth. It involves exchanging gifts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, symbolizing the love and bond between them. The mother-in-law presents her daughter-in-law with traditional gifts, such as jewelry, clothes, and sweets, as a token of her love and blessings. This ritual strengthens the relationship between the two and adds to the overall festive vibe.
Sighting the Moon and Breaking the Fast
The fast of Karwa Chauth is broken after the moonrise. Women wait eagerly for the moon to appear and then perform the pooja by offering water to the moon and breaking their fast by consuming the first morsel of food and water offered by their husbands. This ritual marks the end of the fast and is a joyous moment for married couples.
Karwa Chauth is not just a festival, but a celebration of the love and devotion of a husband and wife. The significance of this festival lies in the strong bond between a married couple and the rituals and customs associated with it symbolize the vibrant culture of India. It is a festival that brings families together and strengthens the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. So, this Karwa Chauth, let’s immerse ourselves in the joy and festivities of this auspicious day and celebrate the love and bond between married couples.