 KARWA
CHOUTH : A Night of Festive Finery
What the Teej is to Rajasthan, Karwa Chouth is to the Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh and other parts of northern India. Women in these areas look forward to the
fourth day after Sharad Purnima in the month of Kartik. Once again, women of all ages
dress in their festive finery and fast all day, drinking only fruit juice and water,
praying for prosperity and long life for their husbands and children.
They exchange gifts of clothing and sweets. When the moon is sighted in the dark blue
autumn sky, they get together to worship it. Often the skies are overcast and the moon
hidden behind clouds. After seeing the moon's reflection in a thali filled with water,
they share a special feast.
The meaning of the word karwa is significant. Ten small earthen pots with sprouts which
are known as Karwa, along with boxes of sweets and gifts, are given to young married women
in the family. Together, women listen to discourses in praise of Parvati, who undertook
great penance to marry the husband of her choice, Shiva. Karwa Chouth is a fast and prayer
for marital happiness and prosperity.
There are many myths linked with this fast observed by women. Draupadi, wife of the
Pandava princes in the epic Mahabharata, is said to have observed this fast for the safety
of Arjuna when he went to war with the Kaurava warriors.
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