Indian women have only recently experienced the heady taste of financial independence. Even today, the large majority of them are wholly dependent upon their men - father, husband and son to look, after them and to give them their social and economic status. It is men who give them sustenance and protection.

Although modern education and emancipation have brought about considerable changes in this situation, basically Indian women remain devoted and subservient to their families. They are brought up to put the welfare of others before their own interests. To express this devotion to the family, specially to husband and children, the cultural ethos of India has created many festive days and celebrations specific to women. These are occasions when women fast and pray for the prosperity of their families. It is a firmly held belief in Indian society that a woman's strength and devotion to her family gives her a special position in the family and often saves the family from disaster. She leads a pure life, has an unblemished character and sets an example to her children and to those younger than herself, ensuring the continuity of values and cultural traditions both within the family unit as well as the larger community.

Though these cultural realities seem to be designed by a patriarchal society, most women, even those who are highly educated or very successful at their chosen careers, find them somewhat acceptable. Their devotion to the family is so deep rooted that even their celebrations are prayers for the welfare of the family. Most women worship Parvati the goddess of power and good luck, whose devotion to her husband Shiva is exemplary. Parvati therefore bestows marital bliss.

Women's festivals always mean gay new clothes, bunches of auspicious red and green glass bangles, henna patterns on the palms, flower garlands to wear in the hair and a perfumed atmosphere in the house. They also mean different kinds of feasts made of seasonal fruits and vegetables.

As in many other cultures, women in India are expected to adorn themselves on festive days. Indeed, innumerable celebrations are created around this need of women to be glamorous and beautiful. Sculptures in many famous Indian temples feature friezes of women using kohl sticks to line their eyes, putting on anklets and armlets or artfully placing tilaks on their foreheads. For instance, in the world famous Ajanta frescoes, queens, their entourages, celestial apsaras and common citizens are all portrayed with varied hairstyles, clothes, jewellery and flowers. In real life too, in every age, the intrinsic need of women to look beautiful has given rise to and supported huge industries for the designing and manufacture of clothes, jewellery, accessories and cosmetics.