Karwa Chauth’ the festival, the tradition, the ritual indeed commemorates women’s unending love and immense sacrifice for her husband. Karva Chauth is an annual one-day festival celebrated by married women in Hindu religion. Karva Chauth fast is unique perhaps because nowhere in the world makes women go without food or water just to pray for longevity and well being of her husband. In modern times, with all the paraphernalia of marketing joints, Karwa Chauth, the big day turned into a strong event in itself. The event is becoming bigger with each passing day.
The women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands. The festival is called Karwa Chauth as it falls on the fourth day after the full moon night before Diwali. Women begin preparing for Karva Chauth a few days in advance, by buying cosmetics, traditional ornaments or jewellery and puja items, such as the karwa lamps, matthi, meethi matthi, henna and the decorated puja thali.
With just a few days left for the festival, local markets take on a festive look as shopkeepers put their Karva Chauth related products on display. The city markets are seen much crowded on the eve of Karwa Chauth festival. Long queues of women were witnessed at mehndi (heena) shops to apply mehndi on their hands. Some were seen bargaining while buying sieves, as others lined up to get the big and most decorated ‘karva’ to perform the rituals of Karva Chauth.
The busy Raghunath Nath Bazar Market, Purani Mandi market, Link Road market, Raj Tilak Road market, Fattu-Chaughan market, and other local markets are flooded with gift items and other related items. Women can be seen shopping.
With changing time, the rituals of Karva Chauth has also changed a bit, as it is commonly being observed by unmarried women as well as husbands who wish to share the amazing and overwhelming experience with their wives.