Karwa Chauth is one of India’s most celebrated festivals of the Hindu community. The festival celebrates the pious bond that is shared between husband and wife. On this day wives keep fast for the whole day for showing their devotion towards their husband. And, they break the fast only after seeing the Moon in night by drinking water from their husband’s hand.
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The Karwa Chauth Puja and Celebrations
A Day Before:
The pooja preparations start a day in advance. There is huge excitement a day before the festival as women make elaborate preparations to dress up elaborately for the occasion. The Married women buy Fashionable and multicoloured glass bangles, Makeup items like bindi, kumkum or sindoor, lipstick, rouge, kajal, eye-liner, mascara, traditional jewellery items like mangalsutra, maangtika, rings, necklace, bangles, ear-rings, anklets (payal), toe-rings, nose-ring, etc. and apply mehndi (Hena tattoos)on their hand and feets.
Beginning of the Day:
If you’re observing the Karwa Chauth fast, your day begins with a refreshing bath before dawn. Next, you’ll eat Sargi. Sargi is an essential part of Karwa Chauth, given by the mother-in-law to the daughter-in-law before sunrise as a symbol of love and blessings. This meal provides the energy needed to sustain the day's fast and is enjoyed after a morning bath. A typical Sargi thali includes sweet and savoury items like pheni, meethi seviyan, fruits, meethi mathri, dry fruits, parathas, and beverages. This tradition strengthens the bond between the two women, showcasing their love, respect, and unity. The morning passes by in other festive activities like decorating the pooja thali and meeting friends and relatives.
The Puja :
In the evening, women dress up in special clothes, usually wear heavy saris or chunries in red , pink or other bridal colors, and adorn themselves with all other symbols of a married women like, nose pin, tika, bindi, chonp, bangles, earrings etc. 'lehenga-choli' with gold woven 'zari' patterns. New brides often wear their bridal costume. All deck up in jewelry. Decorative 'bindis' on the forehead are a must for all women taking part in this celebration. Fasting women from all over the neighbourhood gather in a group and narrate the story of Karwa Chauth that underscore the significance of Karwa Chauth and sing the Karwachauth song while rotating the thalis containing Baya.
