Karva Chauth is a Hindu festival
celebrated in the month of Karva Chauth.
On the fourth (chauth) day of the
dark, waning half of the lunar month Kartik (October–November), a religious vow
(vrat) is observed.
Married women perform Karva Chauth
to protect their husbands' health, wealth, and longevity.
Women's observances and sacrifices
are focused towards sustaining the family's wellbeing and wealth through a
variety of vows.
Although such vows are strictly
optional, there is significant societal pressure on women to take them in order
to fulfill their anticipated role as "good" spouses.
Karva Chauth is an extremely
stringent vow in which ladies do not eat or drink until the moon rises in the
evening.
When the moon emerges, the ladies
bring it water before being allowed to drink.
Women may also worship Shiva and
Parvati (the holy model of a happily married couple) and Karttikeya, their son,
on this evening.
The festival's name comes from the
fact that women exchange tiny pots (karva) loaded with sweets.
The founding story for this
observance describes how a young bride becomes dizzy and almost dead while
fasting at her birthplace.
Her brothers are so concerned about
her health that one climbs up a tree with a lamp, convincing her that the light
is coming from the rising moon.
The young lady is relieved, but her
husband passes out as soon as she sips water.
Her brothers are forced to admit
what they have done at some point.
As the lady laments her newly
acquired widowhood, she is found by the goddess Parvati, who informs her that
if she diligently observes Karva Chauth the next year, her husband would be
returned to life.
The young lady follows the
instructions and reclaims her spouse.
This story includes valuable
cultural knowledge, especially about people's differing duties.
It is a brother's responsibility to
safeguard his sister.
A wife's first responsibility is to
her husband, and she should dedicate her efforts to his well-being.
The repercussions of failing to
follow a religious observance are immediate and terrible, as they are in many
such stories, and the benefits of properly doing it are as spectacular.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.
