Local markets of the city took a festive look as the married women prepare for Karwa Chauth, an occasion where they observe fast for their husbands’ good health and well being. This year karwa chauth is being observed on November 4, 2020.
‘Karva ‘ means earthen pots while ‘chauth’ means the fourth day. Karwa Chauth is a 1-day festival celebrated on the fourth day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar the fourth day after purnima (a full moon) in the month of Kartika.
A woman named Karwa was deeply devoted to her husband. Her intense love and dedication towards him gave her shakti (spiritual power). While bathing at a river, her husband was caught by a crocodile. Karwa bound the crocodile with cotton yarn and asked Yama (the god of death) to send the crocodile to hell. Yama refused. Karwa threatened to curse Yama and destroy him. Yama, afraid of being cursed by Pati-vrat (devoted) wife, sent the crocodile to hell and blessed Karwa’s husband with long life. Karwa and her husband enjoyed many years of wedded bliss. To this day, Karwa Chauth is celebrated with great faith and belief.
The rituals begin by the women eating sargi; pre-dawn meal prepared by their mother-in-law and then set out on a fast till moonrise. In the evening, a puja is organised where women exchange earthen pots filled with sweets, bangles, and clothes. Women, who will be observing a fast, without even drinking a glass of water, will most definitely be waiting for the timings for moonrise in India.
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