Karva Chauth means a lot to Indian women who hail from the northern Indian belt. What does it mean in this day and age, and which definition suits best this continued practice?
Kara Chauth means different things to people. The traditional day was a day that celebrated the right of passage, the celebration of womanhood. The newly married receive sargi, the delicious morning meal from the mother in law. This provides energy through the day. The daughter in law and her friends spend the rest of the day sharing stories and adorning themselves. They don't work, who' d want a needle or a knife in the hands of a fasting young girl. The evening brings the puja and the story time. They sit and share the story of the original karva Chauth.This is the beauty of the festival. The celebration of stories and togetherness. The one day that binds a family of women and passing on of tradition. The one day set aside for women to spoil themselves. Thus the henna and jewellery...
The men come home and wait for the moon. The children are tasked with the rooftop watch. The moon goddess appears. The puja happens with the married couple looking into each others eyes, a prayer for a shared destiny.
I absolutely love the description of this festival in its proper traditional manner, in your words Shreya. Thank you so much for sharing this- it is enriching and adds layers to what it already has stopped meaning for so many Indian women. I love the idea of focus and continuity of a tradition that could be so powerful. I wrote this. piece in order to reawaken its deeper meaning. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts dear friend.
Amidst the “ to do or not to do” with strident voices rooting for both sides of the argument, your write up lets the reader into a deeply personal space. The beauty of our traditions is this very juxtaposition of the personal and the community driven.
Here is a fresh perspective and a tribute to the fluid nature of our customs!
how beautifully you’ve read & commented on my piece, as expected from you, my friend. True, our customs are fluid & worth exploring & reexamining through the years. Thank you for your sensitivity & for taking the time out 🙏🏽
Loved your take on Men fasting for their wives on some particular day. Every ritual can be discussed for and against as per each ones perspective on it… Lot of these rituals are followed by many irrespective of the shifts in the general society ( I mean gender based society) . I conclude by saying every one is free to do / follow what they believe in. Enjoyed reading.👌
thank you so much for reading & appreciating the piece; it was a tricky one to write but looks like i haven’t ruffled enough feathers 😃 glad you enjoyed it Rama 💗
I never questioned the custom. I believe I followed my mother’s logic- do it if it harms no one and benefits you. Fasting instills self discipline and makes you appreciate human dependence on water as a life source.
And your internet research revealed that there is something similar in the south as well based on the Savitri Satyavaan story. Quite interesting.
Thank you Sonia, it wasn’t internet research that revealed the southern story, it’s my marriage to. southie that awakened awareness in me. Appreciate your stance & your comments 🙏🏽
Also for all those people who tend to categorise every practise / tradition as pagan and mysoginistic( honestly, i am a little too tired over this thread of conversation) it is thought provoking in that it asks you to explore a deeper meaning. As you have said, a bonding exercise. It does make a lot of sense that the man does the same for the well-being of the woman too.
I would go one level deeper and say that some of these traditions reiterate one of the tenets of our Dharma that Tyaag or sacrifice is also a superior form of love, (as you have explained).
I liked the part where you write about what the Karva Chauth means to you and your husband. You have invested the celebration with a deep personal meaning.
yes Paromita, that’s how the piece began when I realised that my meaning is different, and that perhaps I could share it with other Indian women who are fasting. Thank you for reading and appreciating the nuance of the piece.
Kara Chauth means different things to people. The traditional day was a day that celebrated the right of passage, the celebration of womanhood. The newly married receive sargi, the delicious morning meal from the mother in law. This provides energy through the day. The daughter in law and her friends spend the rest of the day sharing stories and adorning themselves. They don't work, who' d want a needle or a knife in the hands of a fasting young girl. The evening brings the puja and the story time. They sit and share the story of the original karva Chauth.This is the beauty of the festival. The celebration of stories and togetherness. The one day that binds a family of women and passing on of tradition. The one day set aside for women to spoil themselves. Thus the henna and jewellery...
The men come home and wait for the moon. The children are tasked with the rooftop watch. The moon goddess appears. The puja happens with the married couple looking into each others eyes, a prayer for a shared destiny.
I absolutely love the description of this festival in its proper traditional manner, in your words Shreya. Thank you so much for sharing this- it is enriching and adds layers to what it already has stopped meaning for so many Indian women. I love the idea of focus and continuity of a tradition that could be so powerful. I wrote this. piece in order to reawaken its deeper meaning. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts dear friend.
Amidst the “ to do or not to do” with strident voices rooting for both sides of the argument, your write up lets the reader into a deeply personal space. The beauty of our traditions is this very juxtaposition of the personal and the community driven.
Here is a fresh perspective and a tribute to the fluid nature of our customs!
how beautifully you’ve read & commented on my piece, as expected from you, my friend. True, our customs are fluid & worth exploring & reexamining through the years. Thank you for your sensitivity & for taking the time out 🙏🏽
Loved your take on Men fasting for their wives on some particular day. Every ritual can be discussed for and against as per each ones perspective on it… Lot of these rituals are followed by many irrespective of the shifts in the general society ( I mean gender based society) . I conclude by saying every one is free to do / follow what they believe in. Enjoyed reading.👌
thank you so much for reading & appreciating the piece; it was a tricky one to write but looks like i haven’t ruffled enough feathers 😃 glad you enjoyed it Rama 💗
Loved your personal story on karva chauth.
I never questioned the custom. I believe I followed my mother’s logic- do it if it harms no one and benefits you. Fasting instills self discipline and makes you appreciate human dependence on water as a life source.
And your internet research revealed that there is something similar in the south as well based on the Savitri Satyavaan story. Quite interesting.
Thank you Sonia, it wasn’t internet research that revealed the southern story, it’s my marriage to. southie that awakened awareness in me. Appreciate your stance & your comments 🙏🏽
Very well written Kamalini, as always!
Also for all those people who tend to categorise every practise / tradition as pagan and mysoginistic( honestly, i am a little too tired over this thread of conversation) it is thought provoking in that it asks you to explore a deeper meaning. As you have said, a bonding exercise. It does make a lot of sense that the man does the same for the well-being of the woman too.
I would go one level deeper and say that some of these traditions reiterate one of the tenets of our Dharma that Tyaag or sacrifice is also a superior form of love, (as you have explained).
yes, yes & yes; thank you for sharing your thoughts Suma. Kind of you to read & appreciate & comment. 🫡😊🫶
I liked the part where you write about what the Karva Chauth means to you and your husband. You have invested the celebration with a deep personal meaning.
yes Paromita, that’s how the piece began when I realised that my meaning is different, and that perhaps I could share it with other Indian women who are fasting. Thank you for reading and appreciating the nuance of the piece.