October Fairs Festivals : Karwa Chauth

KARWA CHOUTH : A Night of Festive Finery

What the Teej is to Rajasthan, Karwa Chouth is to the Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and other parts of northern India. Women in these areas look forward to the fourth day after Sharad Purnima in the month of Kartik. Once again, women of all ages dress in their festive finery and fast all day, drinking only fruit juice and water, praying for prosperity and long life for their husbands and children.

They exchange gifts of clothing and sweets. When the moon is sighted in the dark blue autumn sky, they get together to worship it. Often the skfes are overcast and the moon hidden behind clouds. After seeing the moon's reflection in a thali filled with water, thev sharp a snecial feast. The meaning of the word karwa is significant. Ten small earthen pots with sprouts which are known as Karwa, along with boxes of sweets and gifts, are given to young married women in the family. Together, women listen to discourses in praise of Parvati, who undertook great penance to marry the husband of her choice, Shiva. Karwa Chouth is a fast and prayer for marita happiness and prosperity.

There are many myths linked with this fast observed by women. Draupadi, wife of the Pandava princes in the epic Mahabharata, is said to have observed this fast for the safety of Arjuna when he went to war with the Kaurava warriors.

Teej brings a grand parade of women dressed in tie and dye garments which are festive.

During Bhadrapad, women gather to celebrate the coming of the harvest goddess Gauri. Idols are decorated with traditional jewellery and festive clothes.

Karwa Chouth is at all-day fast women observe to pray for the welfare of their husbands and families. In the evening, having seen the moon or its reflection in a platter or thali full of water they share a special feast.