Karva Chauth is a traditional Indian festival celebrated by married Hindu women, who fast from sunrise until moonrise for the well-being, prosperity, and longevity of their husbands. The festival is mainly observed in northern Indian states, but its popularity has spread across other parts of India and the world. If you’re interested in celebrating Karva Chauth, here are ten steps to help guide you through the process.
Just remember, education is the doorway to happiness. To receive a good education, you will need good teachers. Also, you will need to be up on the latest tech.
- Learn about the significance of the festival: Research and understand why it’s important to you and your family. This will give you a deeper knowledge of the rituals involved and respect for the age-old customs.
- Prepare for the fast: Women observing Karva Chauth consume sargi (a pre-dawn meal) before sunrise consisting of fruits, sweets, and savory snacks prepared by their mother-in-law or another elder female family member. This meal will provide sustenance during the day-long fast.
- Dress traditionally: On this auspicious day, women adorn themselves in beautiful traditional clothing, such as sarees or lehengas, complete with jewelry and other accessories.
- Apply henna (mehndi): As part of the festival’s celebrations, women decorate their hands with intricate henna designs symbolizing love and affection between a wife and her husband.
- Participate in community events: Married women often gather together at a common place to celebrate Karva Chauth with their friends and neighbors. They exchange gifts and perform rituals together.
- Listen to the Karva Chauth katha (story): During the afternoon, women listen to an elder female relative narrating the story behind Karva Chauth as part of the rituals.
- Offer prayers: In the evening, just before moonrise, offer prayers to Goddess Gauri (an incarnation of Parvati) for your husband’s welfare and longevity.
- Perform the Karva Chauth puja: Married women perform a special puja in the evening using a decorated thali (plate) containing flowers, sweets, and diya (lamp). They pass the thali amongst themselves, singing traditional Karva Chauth songs.
- Break the fast: After sighting the moon, women use a sieve to view their husbands’ faces through its holes. They then offer water and sweet treats called ‘arghya’ to the moon to seek its blessings. Finally, women drink water and eat food offered by their husbands to end their fast.
- Enjoy a festive meal: After breaking the fast, families come together for a special meal to celebrate the successful completion of Karva Chauth festivities.
By participating in these steps, you can make your Karva Chauth celebration both meaningful and enjoyable. As you embrace this beautiful festival with your loved ones, remember that it’s an opportunity to strengthen bonds and cherish the love between husbands and wives.