Karva Chauth

The fast is broken only upon sighting the moon, looked at through a sieve, or in a bowl of water....never with the naked eye!

In India, very often, customs become traditions and acquire the colour of pageants! Karva Chauth is one such festival, celebrated with plenty of gusto and fervour across Northern India. Of late, it's been glorified in Hindi films, and no movie is complete without the bedecked wife, gazing wistfully at the moon, silently praying for her husband’s health and welfare.

The origin of Karva Chauth is shrouded in mystery. It most likely originated within the period when men went out to war and their womenfolk prayed collectively for their safe come. nice sanctity is hooked up to Karva Chauth. Married women quick all day long, to wish for their husbands` well being, long life and health.

Before the crack of dawn, women dressed in auspicious reds and pinks, slip on colourful, tinkling glass bangles and apply a smear of "sindhoor" symbolizing matrimony. "Thalis" are stuffed with fruits, sweets and coconut. Henna is applied on moist palms. With a prayer on their lips, women commence a quick before sunrise. when a sumptuous repast of coconut, “pheni”, fruit and sweets, they commence the quick, abstaining from food and water all day, spending the day with different women. in this day and age is essentially a Sabbatical for them from routine household chores.

Before sunset, they congregate for the Puja, dressed in finery with a hint of gold, a sparkle of jewellery, radiant faces aglow with laughter and light-hearted banter.......silver "thalis" are passed around, as someone narrates the story behind the quick. The quick is broken only upon sighting the moon, looked at through a sieve, or in a very bowl of water....never with the naked eye !

The women provide drops of water and matthri to the moon, before breaking the quick. In return, they request the moon, for their husband`s long life, continued sensible health and protection. Time stands still, on this dayl......as women flip their animated faces to the moon, aglow within the flickering lightweight of a "diya", praying from deep inside......... Karva Chauth offers an unmatched beauty, all its own!

In today’s day and age, when man has landed on the moon, it may seem strange to some folks, that girls still pray to the moon! Such is that the strength and color of complete and sincere religion.

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