Karva Chauth

Origin and Significance

The fast of Karva Chauth is kept by Hindu women for the well-being, prosperity and longevity of their husbands. The origin of this festival is based upon a very sweet and noble idea. In earlier times, girls would get married at a very young age, and had to go and live with their in-laws in other villages far away from their own parents. If she had any problems with her husband or in-laws, she would have no one to talk to or seek support from.

Thus, there grew a custom where the bride would befriend another woman to share her joys and sorrows. Their friendship would be sanctified through a small Hindu ceremony right during the marriage. Once the bride and the woman became god-friends or god-sisters as they are commonly known, they would remain so all their lives and recognize the relation as such. They would also treat each other like real sisters.
After becoming friends, they would share all their joys, sorrows and problems with each other. Thus, Karva Chauth started as a festival to celebrate this friendship (relationship) between the brides and their god-friends (god-sisters). Praying and fasting for the sake of husband came later and was secondary.

It was probably added, along with other mythical tales, to enhance the festival. In any case, the husband would always be associated with this festival, because the day of starting this holy friendship between two god-sisters was essentially the day of bride's marriage to him. Thus, praying and fasting for him by his wife during the celebration of her relationship with the god-friend would be quite logical.

Legends

The story of Veeravati

Long time ago, there lived a beautiful girl by the name of Veeravati. She was the only sister of her seven loving brothers, who was married to a king. On the occasion of the first Karva Chauth after her marriage, she went to her parents' house.

After sunrise, she observed a strict fast. However, the queen couldn't stand the rigors of fasting and was desperately waiting for the moon to rise. The seven brothers, who loved her dearly, were very disturbed watching the distress of their sister and decided to end her fast by deceiving her.

Then the brothers reflected a mirror through Pipal tree leaves. The sister, mistook it as a moon, broke the fast and took food. However, the moment the queen ate her dinner, she received the news that her husband, the king, was seriously ill

The queen rushed to her husband's palace and on the way, she met Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati.

Parvati informed her that the king had died because the queen had broken her fast by watching a false moon. However, when the queen asked her for forgiveness, the goddess granted her the boon that the king would be revived.

But to achieve this, she would have to undertake the Karva Chauth fast under strict rituals, and then only her husband would come to life. Thus, by strictly following all the rituals of Karva chauth, Queen Veeravati was able to bring back her husband’s life.

The Legend of Mahabharata

The belief in this fast and its associated rituals goes back to the pre-Mahabharata times. Draupadi, too, is said to have observed this fast.

Once Arjun went to the Niligiris for penance and the rest of the Pandavas faced many problems during his absence. Draupadi, out of desperation, remembered Lord Krishna and asked for help. Lord Krishna reminded her that on an earlier occasion, when Goddess Parvati had sought Lord Shiva’s guidance under similar circumstances, she was advised to observe the fast of Karva Chauth. Draupadi followed the instructions and observed the fast with all its rituals. Consequently, the Pandavas were able to overcome their problems.

The Story of Satyavan and Savitri

According to the story of Satyavan and Savitri, when Lord Yama, came to procure Satyavan's soul, Savitri begged him to grant him life. When he refused, she stopped eating and drinking and Yamraj finally relented. He fulfilled her wishes, and granted her husbands life.

The Legend of Karva

According to another legend, a woman named Karva was deeply devoted to her husband. One day while bathing, he was caught by a crocodile. Karva came running and bound the crocodile with a cotton yarn. She then went to Yama, the Lord of the death, and requested him to send the offending crocodile to hell. When Yama refused, she threatened to curse him. Afraid of the power of a devoted wife, Yama readily accepted and sent the crocodile to Yamalok or hell, and blessed Karva's husband with long life.

Celebrations of Karwachauth

The day of Karva Chauth is celebrated mostly amongst the entire North Indian community settled either in India and other parts of the world. The most important aspect of this day is that a dawn to dusk fast is undertaken by the women and is broken only after sighting the moon.

The fast is unique perhaps because nowhere in the world does a wife go without food or water just to pray for the longevity and well-being of her husband.

In modern day, with all the trappings of commercialization attached, Karva Chauth, the big fasting day has turned into a full-fledged event. The event is growing bigger with each passing day.

The Halwais, the Mehendi and Churiwallis have traditionally been busy on this auspicious day. But joining the bandwagon in recent times are the beauty parlour owners, the event managers and the restaurant owners.
Karva Chauth special eateries gear up for the occasion. Cashing in on the popularity of 'eating out', most restaurants have special menus for this special day.

No wonder almost every happening-eating joint around town offers plenty of attractive options to choose from.

Various clubs organize special events on this festive day with various stalls, bumper Tambola and even a dance competition.

With so much feasting and fun added to it, fasting had never been so good before!

Karvachauth Puja

KarvaChauth Vrat falls on the 4th day of Krishna Paksh in the month of Karthik. In Hindu tradition, this fast symbolizes the sanctity of the relationship between a husband and wife. Women observe this fast for the long life and good health of their husbands. This fast is also done for the long life of the son and happiness and good health for the whole family.

Preparation for the puja

Baayna in a karva (clay pot with the spout), fill wheat grains put a little sugar on the lid along with money.

If at married sister or daughter resides in the same city, Baayna is sent to her. The previous days

- Roli, chawal, aarti Ki Thali

- Churma or halwa for offering to the moon

- Pata and aasan

- Water in a kalash

In some houses, the year the girl gets married her mother sends a karva made out of silver for her.

Vidhi / Method of Performing the Puja

Karva chauth festival

Women dress up in zari (silk with woven gold) clothes with bindi, bangles, nath. They apply mehendi on their hands and then perform their puja.

Place the kalash with water and karva on the pata.

Draw a sathiya and put 13 tikkis with roli on the kalash and karva.

By sprinkling roli and chawal perform the puja.

Taking 13 wheat grains in the hand, listen to the katha of Karva Chtauth.

After the katha, keep aside the wheat grains in a packet or tie them to your saree pallu for offering to the moon at night.

Listen to the katha of Bindaayakji (Shri Ganesh).
Baayna is taken out. Sprinkle roli and chawal on the karva. Then apply tikka to yourself. Covering your folded hands with saree-pallu/odni rotate them over the Baayna four times. Then get up and give the Baayna to your mother-in-law seeking her blessings. Baayna could also be given to your elder sister-in—law, nanad (husband's sister) or any woman elder to you. If you are alone in the house, you can keep the Baayna in the puja room and
later either give it to a Brahmin or it can be sent to the temple.

Giving Arag to the moon in the night

After sighting the moon, from the kalash containing the puja water slowly pour the water towards the moon. While pouring the water, keep the wheat grains in the left hand (which were kept aside while listening to the katha). Churma or halwa is offered to the moon. After this, standing at the same place go around four times. Touch the water offered to the moon from the floor and touch it to your eyes as blessings for good luck.

While giving the Arag some people sing this couplet

Chand jaisi chandni motiyon ko sohar
Jeene-arag deta jeevo veer bhartar (veer - brother, bhartar - husband).

After the puja, touch the feet of the elders in the family and break the fast.

Essential Items

The festival of Karva Chauth is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is believed to be the most auspicious day for any married women in India. Excitement for the festival can be observed long before the actual day.

As the festival is mainly meant for worshipping and praying for well being of husband, care should be taken to perform puja and other rituals in the appropriate manner.

Proper preparations and shopping for essential items should be done well in advance so that nothing should be left out. Here, is the list of items required for Karva Chauth:

Sringar or Beauty Related Items

• Red color / colorful Bangles (glass)
• Mehndi (Henna) on arms and feet.
• Jewelry like Mangalsutra (back beeded neck piece), rings, necklace, earrings, nose pin, payal(anklet), toe-rings.
• Sindoor (Vermillion)
• Bindi (circular or any shaped sticker pt on the forehead of married women)
• Cosmetics like lipstick, rouge, kajal, eye-liner, nail paints, mascara etc.

Food Items

Certain food items are also required to be consumed on Karva Chauth morning before sun rise.

• Milk and Pheni ( Thin threads made of semolina)
• Parantha (a dish made of cereal flour)
• Fruits
• Sweets
• Ten Matthis (salted dish made of flour ) with ten Puas (a sweet made of jaggery)
• Halwa

Cloth Items

• Baya (Presented to mother- in- law ideally, should be a sari or set of new clothes)

Puja items

• Platform for the puja
• Cowdung to make the image of the goddess
• Tika, Nath, Sindur, bangles etc.
• A strand of red thread
• Karva (vessel containing water)
• Thali (Plate)
• coconut
• Cash
• Sieve (To see moon and husband’s face through pores of it )

Karva Chauth in Punjab

Karva Chaiuth vrat is of significant importance in Punjab and its neighbouring states. The Karva Chauth vrat is observed by married women. Newly married brides celebrate this fast with great rejoice in their first year of marriage. Nowadays unmarried girls also keep this fast to pray for a good husband.

Day before Karva Chauth

The girl’s mother sends a Bayaa {similar to Baayna) to her daughters house. Bayaa contains sari, sindoor, bangles, bindi, sweets and a token gift for the mother-in-law.

The mother-in-law sends a sargi to the daughter-in-law's house. A sargi contains sari, sindoo_r, bangles, biridi, mehendi, red ribbon, coconut, a gift and seviyan which is eaten in the morning of Karva Chauth.

Women observing the Chauth vrat wash their hair and apply mehendi on this day.

On the day of Karva Chauth
Women wake-up before sunrise about 5 am, eat food from sargi (sent by mother-in-law) and drink water. They dress up in their fineries. The menu is as per preference of each house. One has to eat seviyan normally with milk as shagun.

“Veero Kudiye Karwada, Sarv Suhagan Karwada,

A Katti Na Ateri Naa, Kumbh Chrakhra Feri Naa,

Gwand Pair payeen Naa, Sui Che Dhaga Payeen Naa

Ruthda maniyen Naa, Suthra lagayeen Naa,

Bhain Pyari Veeran, Chan Chade Te Pani Peena

Ve Veero Kuriye Karwara, Ve Sarv Suhagan Karwara ....... (7)”

After the puja, the women seek the blessings of their-mothers-in-law by touching their feet and offering almonds, saree and gift to them as a mark of respect.

Breaking- the fast : After sunset, with the sighting of the moon, the women go up to the terrace with their puja thalis, light deepak and through a sieve look at the moon while simultaneously offering arag from the glass. They offer water and sweet mathri 7 times to the moon after saying a short prayer for the husband.

"Sir Dhadi, Paer Kadi, Ark Dendi, Sarv Suhagan, Chaubare Khadi ...... "

This song is sung 5 times. A parikrama of moon is done each time after offeringi arag. For parikrama, one turns a full circle standing at one place. The fast is broken by first taking a piece of the mathri and a sip of water, which was offered to the moon.

After the puja, one touches the feet of the husband and elders in the family.

Karva Chauth Katha as followed in Punjab

A long time ago, there lived a beautiful princess by the name of Veeravati. When she grew up, she was married to a king. On the occasion of the first Karva Chauth after her marriage, she went to her parents house to do the vrat.

After sunrise, she observed a strict fast. However, Veeravati was very delicate and could not stand the rigours of fasting. By evening, Veeravati felt very weak, and fainted. Veeravati had seven brothers who loved her dearly. They couldn’t stand the plight of their sister and decided to end her fast. They made a fire at the nearby hill and asked their sister to see the glow. They assured her that it was the moonlight and since the moon had risen, she could break her fast.

However, the moment the gullible queen Veeravati ate her dinner, she received the news that her husband, the king, was dead. She was heartbroken and rushed to her husband’s palace. On the way, she met Shivji and Parvati Mata. Parvati Mata told her that her husband the king had died because she had broken her fast by watching a false moon. However, when
Veeravati asked her for forgiveness, Parvati Mata granted her the boon that her husband, the king would come to life but would be still very ill.

When the Veeravati reached the palace, she found the king lying unconscious with hundreds of needles inserted in his body. Each day she managed to remove one needle from the kihg’s body Next year, on the day of Karva Chauth, only one needle remained embedded in the body of the unconscious king.

The queen Veeravati observed a strict fast that day and when she went to the market to buy the karva for the puja, her maid removed the remaining needle from the king’s body. The king regained consciousness, and mistook the maid for his queen. When the real queen Veeravati returned to the palace, she was made to serve as a maid.

However, \/eeravati was true to her faith and religiously observed the Karva Chauth vrat. Once when the king was going to some other kingdom, he asked the real queen Veeravati (now turned maid) if she wanted anything. Veeravati asked for a pair of identical dolls. The king brought back the dolls for her.

The queen Veeravati always used to chant this song “Roli ki Goli ho gayi... Goli ki Roli ho gayi" (the queen has turned into a maid and the maid has turned into a queen). On being asked by the king as to why did she keep repeating that song, Veeravati narrated the entire story. The king repented and restored the queen Veeravati to her royal status. It was blessings of
Goddess Parvati and the queen's devotion and Her faith that won back her husband’s affection.

Karva Chauth Heena

India is the land of colorful festivals and each festival has its own cultural, religious and social significance. Each festival is wrapped with its own pious rituals and styles.

The festival of Karva Chauth is one such festival which is considered auspicious and is dedicated to husband's long life and well being.

Mehndi or Mehndi plays important role in Karva Chauth celebrations. Tradition of applying mehndi on arms and feet is essential part of the rituals associated with the festival as mehndi (Mehndi) is considered to be auspicious for married women.

There is practice of performing puja with mehndi decked arms and feet.

Associated Beliefs with Mehndi

There are many beliefs related to mehndi and the color obtained from mehndi. It is commonly believed that more intense is the color from mehndi more is the love showered by the husband of that woman.

Darkness and intensity of mehndi color also symbolizes the prosperity and good fortune for the family of that woman.

It is also said commonly by elder people that one should always be like mehndi, as mehndi gives away her color to beautify ones hands, the same way married woman should also be munificent and kind to sacrifice certain things to beautify her family.

Women get intricate mehndi patterns on their hands and feet before participating in puja for the Karva Chauth. There are different methods of applying henna, but the most convenient one is to use cone for applying beautiful and fine mehndi designs, as cones are cheap and disposable. Following is the procedure for making mehndi cones:

Procedure for making Mehndi Cones

Requirements

• Small Freezer Bags
• Rubber Band
• Scotch Tape
• Scissors

Procedure

• Decide the size of the cone as per the convenience, small size cones are preferred as can be handled easily. Cut the freezer bag into squares of the decided size about 6 inches square.
• Fold the square into the cone or funnel shape. Care should be taken while folding as the plastic is very slippery and you will want to wrap the square around itself in such a way that it completely overlaps (leaving no open spaces for the paste to squeeze out).
• Don’t forget to leave a small hole at the bottom of the funnel, to allow the paste to squeeze out without difficulty. This might take some practice.
• After forming the exact cone shape, tape the side edges where the plastic overlaps.
• Always try to keep a few small pieces of tape handy for using at the end for taping cone from the bottom to the top of the funnel.

Procedure for applying Mehndi

Requirements

• Mehndi/ heena Powder( sieved through muslin cloth)
• Water
• Mehndi cone
• Eucalyptus oil
• Mustard oil
• Sugar
• Lemon
• Cotton

Procedure

• First make the smooth mehndi paste by mixing water in mehndi powder, paste should be without lumps and should be free flowing.
• Now take the cone and pour the mehndi into it, care should be taken that paste should not leak from any edges of the cone. Broader end of the cone should be tied with a rubber band after pouring mehndi.
• Now the cone is ready to create beautiful patterns, wash arms and wipe properly to avoid spreading of mehndi designs.
• Put the drops of eucalyptus oil on palms and spread evenly on whole area (area for applying mehndi) to get the dark reddish brown hue of mehndi.
• Now, lightly squeeze the mehndi paste on the palm and start creating patterns or designs.
• Once the designing is complete, keep the palm straight for drying of mehndi at least for 2 hours or the maximum time one can keep for getting darker color.
• Care should be taken while drying, as contact with any thing can spoil the designs and mehndi.
• Once the mehndi appears dried, Pat the cotton dipped in solution (sugar and lemon solution) on the palm with mehndi designs this further darkens to a reddish-brown color.
• After the proper drying remove the mehndi gently and apply mustard oil to it for getting dark color. Avoid washing your hands with water at least for 12 hours to get the perfect effect.

Mehndi Patterns

Mehndi is considered very auspicious and is the essential ornament for any married woman at the time of Karwachauth.

Many festivals other than Karwachauth also include various rituals performed with mehndi decked hands so applying mehndi is the common tradition practiced in India. Mehndi is applied over palms, arms (both sides), feet, back.

The designs of mehndi differ from region to region and the type of festive celebrations. Different designs have specific significance for each religion like spiritual enlightenment, good health, wisdom, fertility and protection.

Though the patterns and designs vary from religion to religion and festival to festival, the basic pattern remains the same meaning good luck and protection. Following are the meanings of the common figures used basically in the mehndi patterns:

• Ganesh, the elephant god – good health, protection from evil
• growing vine or scorpion – love, protection from the evil eye
•  mandalas – wisdom, spiritual enlightenment
• peacock, paisley symbols – love, fertility, good luck
• bud – new life, love
• camel lips – fertility
• flowers and leafs – fertility

Beautiful Mehndi designs

Karva Chauth 2010

The fast or festival of Karva Chauth possesses remarkable significance from cultural and social point of view. This is the most awaited festival for any North Indian married women, as women observe fast on this day for ensuring wedded bliss and well being of their husband. The festival also encourages gathering of all relatives and neighbours at one place for performing puja. The spirit of the festival can easily be understood by the glance of any married woman on this day, beautifully dressed up in colorful attire with all jewelry and make up along with henna-decked hands and feet.

The fast is observed during the month of Kartik on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (descending moon). This generally falls in the month of October. This year the festival of Karva Chauth is on October 26, 10.

Karva Chauth Katha

A rich Sahukaar had seven sons and a daughter. All the brothers, sisters—in-law and sister ate together. As the sister grew up the brothers got her married.

After the wedding on the sister's first Karva Chauth, she came to her parents' house to celebrate the festival with her brothers and sisters—in-law.

On the day of the chauth fast when the brothers asked the sister to eat with them she said that she would eat only after the moon was sighted. The brothers could not see their sister hungry for such a long time. So one brother got a deepak, one got a sieve (channi).

They lit the deepak and asked the sister to look through the sieve. Since it looked like the moon, the sister did the puja and offered arag to the moon.

She asked her sisters-in-law to also come and see the moon, but they refused saying, "Your moon has risen now ours will rise later".

When the sister sat down to eat the first morsel it had a strand of hair in it. The second morsel had an insect in it and as she was about to eat the third morsel, a messenger arrived from her in-laws house saying that her husband was very unwell.

As she was about to leave for her in-laws house, her mother opened the trunk of clothes thrice to give a saree to her daughter to wear but every time she got only a white saree. Ultimately the daughter wore the white saree to leave for her in-laws house. Her mother gave her a gold coin and told her to give it to the person who blessed her with amar suhaag (long life for the husband) and tie a knot in her saree pallu.

On the way the daughter met lots of people, touched their feet, but no one blessed her with Amar Suhaag. She reached her husband's house and was greeted by her younger sister-in-law who blessed her with amar suhaag.

She gave the sister-in—law the gold coin and tied a knot in her saree. Her mother-in-law informed her of her husband’s death and asks her to go her room and sit by the body of her husband.

Everyday a servant would give her leftover food to eat. Days passed and then came Chauth of the month of Mairgshir. She requested the Chauth Mata for forgiveness and asked for the life of her husband. Chauth Mata told her that the Chauth Mata of the coming month Paush will fulfill her wishes. The girl in turn asks all the Chauth Matas of the months of Maagh, Falgun, Chaitra, Baisakh, Jyeshtha, Aashadh, Saavan, Bhadon and Aasoj. They all say the same thing that the next Chauth Mata will probably bless you.

Finally the girl is informed that Karthik Chauth Mata is angry with her and only she can give her suhaag back. When, on Karthik Chauth, the Chauth

Mata comes, the girl pleads with her and does not let go of her feet. Mata relents. She takes out kajal from her eyes, mehendi from her nails, sindoor from her bindi and sprinkles them on her husband. The girl’s husband wakes up saying he has been asleep for a longtime. The girl tells him the whole story. Meanwhile, the servant who came to give her leftover food, sees the

husband alive and informs the mother-in-law. The girl touches her mother-in-law’s feet and tells her that because of the blessings of Chauth Mata, she got her Suhaag back. She is very happy and tells every one about the miracle. Chauth Mata, as you blessed the girl with her suhaag, so also please bless the narrator of the katha, listeners of the katha, those who are following the katha along with their families.

Bindaayakji /Ganeshji ki Katha is read after one reads the festival katha. A few grains of rice are kept in the hand while listening to the katha, After completion of the katha, the rice grains are left in the water of the kalash, kept for puja.

Chauth ki Katha

This katha is to be read by women who observe fast on all the 13 Chauths

There was a Sahukaar who had seven sons and seven daughters-in-law. All the daughters-in-law kept the fast of Chauth Mata.

On the day of the fast, it started raining so they felt like eating halwa. The eldest daughter-in-law wondered how they could cook the halwa without the knowledge of the mother-in-law.

The youngest daughter-in-law told her mother-in-law that her husband's sister was not keeping well. Listening to this, the mother-in-law went to her daughter’s house.

As soon as the mother-in-law left, the daughters-in-law cooked a kaclhai full of halwa. They could not sight the moon as the sky was overcast, so they slept without eating the halwa.

The youngest daughter-in-law could not sleep because of hunger. In the meanwhile, a thief named Kundalo entered the house.

The youngest daughter-in-law sighted the moon and forgetting the correct words of addressing the moon, started calling “Kundalo” and woke up her sisters-in-law.

Listening to his name, the thief ran away leaving behind all the valuables tied in bundles. All the sisters-in-law did the puja of the moon, had their halwa and slept.

Early next morning when the mother-in-law returned she found the valuables of the house tied up in bundles in the door way. As it was getting a little bright the thief came back to get the loot.

The Sahukaar asked him the reason for his coming. The thief said that the Sahukaar had a very wise daughter-in-law who knew his name. In the night when he was taking away the loot she shouted his name “Kundalo” and woke up her sisters-in-law. Out of fear, he had run away leaving the bundles behind.

The mother-in-law called her daughters-in-law. The youngest daughter-in-law narrated the whole story as to how all of them wanted to eat halwa, how they bluffed to the mother-in-|aw and made her get out of the house, how she could not remember the name of the moon and- had started- calling out Kundalo which made the thief run away.

The Sahukaar told his wife to give the charge of the kitchen to the daughter-in-laws and keep herself busy doing puia and charity.Chauth Mata, as you gave back the wealth to the Sahukaar and blessed his family so also bless the narrator of the katha, the listeners of the katha and the followers of the katha along with their families.