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The festival of Karwa Chauth is celebrated by married woman in many parts of
India, to commemorate their marital relationship. Fast is observed by the
married women, to seek blessings of the Almighty and pray for the wellbeing,
prosperity and longevity of their husband. The celebration of Karwa Chauth
starts from the pre-dawn time, when the married woman would take bath, worship
the Almighty and have sargi (food prepared especially for the festival) in
pre-dawn. Thereafter, they would observe a stringent fast for the wellness of
their husband. All through the day, they would not consume a drop of water,
unless the fast is broken in the evening.
While fast plays a prominent part of Karva Chauth, songs, narration of katha and
puja are equally important. The narration of katha (story related to Karva
Chauth) takes place during the puja, while women sing songs in the praise of the
festival. It is a well known fact that the festivities of Karwa Chauth revolve
around one and only cause - the wellness of husband, the significant half of a
married woman. However, it is interesting to know that apart from it, there
exists another thought, which finds a prominent place in the history of Karva
Chauth. If you want to get some interesting information on the history and
origin of Karwa Chauth, then go through the following lines.
History & Origin Of Karva Chauth
Karva Chauth originated as a festival of social importance. Mythical tales were
later on added to the festival. Celebrated by the Hindus in north and
north-western India, the idea behind Karwa Chauth sounds very noble. Originally,
a custom started, according to which, when a girl is married, she befriend
another woman in her in-law's residence. The woman would be regarded as her
friend or sister for her life. This relationship was fondly called god-friends
or god-sisters. The friendship between the two women was sanctified through a
small Hindu ceremony, at the time of marriage of the girl. Once the bride and
the woman in her in-law's home were declared god-friends or god-sisters, they
would have to maintain the relationship for the rest of their life.
It was said that the woman would support her god-friend/sister all through the
complexities of the latter's life, even if the matter is related to the husband
or in-laws. The two women would confidently approach one another to solve the
problems of their lives. Karva Chauth was started to commemorate the
relationship of the god-friends/sisters, which later on came to be known as a
ceremony wherein married woman observe fast for the wellbeing of their husband.
Today, although the motive behind the celebration of the festival is
predominantly related to the wellness of the husband, people still observe the
occasion to honor the relationship of the god-friends/sisters.
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