Don't get confused by the title of this post...The word Karwa (Karva) means a clay pot and chauth means fourth, as the festival is commemorated on the fourth day after the full moon in Kartik month of Hindu calendar.
As I observed Karwa Chauth this year, I was curious to trace the origin & importance of this Indian festival celebrated by women in India. The women (particularly in North India) observe a fast on this day to ensure prosperity, longevity and well-being of their husbands. In the evening, they gather together to listen to the story of Queen Veerawati who brought her husband back to life after an year. The women then break their fast after the moon has risen by consuming the first morsel from the hands of their husbands.
While women wait for the moon to show up, they engage themselves as a group to play various games to keep their minds occupied and away from the noises of a growling stomach. In order to follow the tradition, I engaged myself in playing badminton for 2 hours and the only thing I would say after putting myself through that is - DO NOT ATTEMPT IT!
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| Mehendi on my first after-wedding Karva Chauth |
Although, many others like me have grown up with the belief that this fast is observed by the wives for their husbands, I was surprised to learn that there was an even nobler idea behind this festival. In ancient times when the girls in India were married in far off villages, when there were no buses, telephones and trains, it was difficult for her to share any problems (that she faced with her in-laws or husband) with her own parents and relatives. Thus the custom started that, at the time of marriage, when bride would reach her in-laws, she would befriend another woman there who would be her friend or sister for life. It would be like god-friends or god-sisters. Their friendship would be sanctified through a small Hindu ceremony right during the marriage. Once the bride and this woman had become god-friends or god-sisters, they would remain so all their lives and recognize the relation as such. Later in life, if she faces any difficulty related to her husband or in-laws, she would be able to confidently talk or seek help from each other. Thus, Karwa Chauth was started as a festival to celebrate this relationship between the once-brides and their god-friends (god-sisters).
I learn new things each day....
1 comment:
This is known as the cocept of sisterhood used as a very effective survival strategy by women , who did not have any other options. Marriages , not only in India, but West also were generally based on the concept of a contract,in which Husband was the master of woman. since she didn't get any outlet of ventilation for her pent up feelings, she looked for such relationships.
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