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Karva
Chouth: (October/November)
Karva
Chouth falls usually about nine days before Diwali on the Kartik ki Chouth
(fourth day of the waning moon or the dark fortnight) some time in
October or November.
It
is the most important fast observed by the women of North India.
A
woman keeps such a fast for the wellbeing of her husband, who is
said to become her protector after she leaves her parents home.
In
the past, a widow was regarded as a burden to the house and was
burned on the funeral
pyre
of her husband. Since
this ritual was very painful and Thisbarbaric,
this was glorified by attributing great virtue to the woman
concerned, and she was known as a Sati. Hence, it was
considered in her best interest that her husband remains
alive.
Earlier,
the elders of the family were also keen to discipline the young
wife, who was sometimes married off at the tender age of seven or
eight years. Great care was taken on the day of this fast to
ensure that she took neither food nor water unwittingly. An older
woman would accompany the young girl even to the bathroom, or the
toilet, to ensure that she did not drink any
water.
The
fast of Karva Chouth is a very tough fast to observe, as it starts
before sunrise and ends after worshipping the moon, which rises at
night. Today, this fast is kept even in modern homes, as a symbol
of a woman's love for her husband.
Earlier,
the elders of the family were also keen to discipline the young
wife, who was sometimes married off at the tender age of seven or
eight years. Great care was taken on the day of this fast to
ensure that she took neither food nor water unwittingly. An older
woman would accompany the young girl even to the bathroom, or the
toilet, to ensure that she did not drink any
water.
The
goddess known as Gaur Mata is worshipped
during this fasting day. Women celebrate by buying bangles
and applying henna patterns on their hands. New brides wear their
bridal outfits and others wear outfits woven with gold.
Once
the moon rises, the women see its reflection in a thaali of water,
after which they do a
pooja
for their husband's safety and long life, and finally break their
fast, only after feeding their husbands.
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