“Karva” is another word for “diya” (a small earthen oil-lamp) and “chauth” means 'fourth' in Hindi (a reference to the fact that the festival falls on the 4th day of the dark-fortnight of the month of Kartik as per Hindu calender).
Karva Chauth is one-day festival celebrated by Hindu and some Sikh women in North India in which married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands. Yes, today I’m certifying that I’m married because many people still think that I’m a bachelor.
The fast is kept in such a high spirits by the married ladies that they don’t even drink a single droplet of water from the sunrise to the moon-rise. I’m sure you might be thinking that how hard are these rituals to follow, aren’t you? Ironically, when you ask the same question to the married ladies, who are keeping these fasts, they happily take pride in it and they embark this day a very special for the love of their husband.
A special day means a special dress code. On this very special day all the ladies dress up in their traditional outfits along with their traditional accessories. As part of the dress code, the ladies also apply Mehendi(Henna) on their hands.
My Wife's Last Year's Henna
In the night when the moon rises, the wife first of all worships the moon and then her husband. As part of the ritual, then Husband offers his wife the water, which wife drinks and breaks the fast, and it is then followed by a special romantic dinner date.
This year's henna
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10 comments:
Gorgeous Henna! Looks absolutely lovely on her hands! Great post for Non Indians :) I just did the first Karva Chauth. This year would have been our fourth ... but after the first my husband declared that he doesn't believe in it and or in the fasting.
And I was pleased 'coz he can't fast [he gets head aches when he is hungry] so i do not get it why he should have a longer life than me? I am hope we both will die together in our sleep. All in good health and good time ... but this is not the time to talk such things.
Wish you both a Happy Karva Chauth :)
WOW, truly amazing!!!, I LOVE reading this, btw, is there any special day for the wife too?, and I saw your name on her right hand, on her fourth finger, am I right?, well, I hope to read the "after" experience and what do you personally think/feel about this tradition, if you don't mind, that is :))
Keep in touch
XOXO
J
") awesome mehendi- i think it's on the inner digits of the ring finger of the right hand??
It's so nice in India women are still prepared to demonstrate belonging to their husbands through sacrificing something, however symbolically, of their own personal comfort. In the northeastern parts of the Eurasian continent this is sadly forgotten, and the divorce rates demonstrate the prevalence of mutual selfishness of men and women alike.
I tried to leave you a comment earlier but an ad popped up and I lost it. :(
I will try this again! :) I said earlier that I enjoyed learning about this wonderful Indian festival. It sounds amazing! And I really love your wife's henna. It's gorgeous. I occasionally do henna but I could never make it so elaborate.
Also, thank you for your kind comment on my blog the other day. It makes me smile to know I have such good friends in the blogging world who care about me. :)
@Tanvi, thanks for your lovely comments :).
Certainly, there is no compulsion of keeping the fast, it is always health first. What is more important is the love, and I can feel a lot of love between you and your husband that is most important :). May you both live happily together whole life.
Thanks again for your wishes!!
@Jemi, Thanks for your comments :). As such there is no officially special day, but wife gets a special treatment everyday :) :)...And you figured it right my name is on the 4th finger. I'll try to have one more post about my experience n what I felt. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and for your wishes. Take Care.
@Jane, BINGO...You are right!! Thanks for visiting here again and for sharing your thoughts.
@Anonymous, Yes, the cultural values of the people are still intact and its been there for so many years. Moreover, I'm sure its going to be there always. The World should learn from it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and visiting here again.
@Jennifer, Nice to see your comments here, thanks for liking the post and sharing your wonderful thoughts. Keep visiting, CHEERS!!
wow awesome mehndi specially this year's one .Karvachauth-a fast which a indian women keeps for her husband's long life.I really respect the thought behind our culture which is enriched and colourful.very well written post...something a married women could relate .thanks for sharing this and dedicating on karvachauth.
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