Karwa Chauth
How is Karwa Chauth Celebrated?
Different cultures have different ways of celebrating the festival, however the most commonly observed rituals are :-
- The mother-in-law prepares a “sargi” (plate of delicacies such as dry fruits, paratha, curry etc) for the daughter-in-law, which is to be consumed before sunrise.
- Post that, the wife observes a day-long “nirjal” (without food and water) fast for her husband.
- In the evening, during the pooja mahurat, the women conduct a katha pooja for which they make a “karwa mata” (idol of the Goddess) from wheat dough and decorate it with kajal, bindi, lipstick, sindoor etc. They put a shriphal (Coconut), chunri, and light a diya (a ghee lamp). They then narrate the story called “Karwa Chauth Katha”. In some regions, women invoke the blessings of Shiva-Parvati or Lord Ganesha as well.
- Post the Katha pooja, the women prepare a plate for the Chandrama (Moon) pooja, with a sieve, a karwa filled with water and an earthen lamp. Once the moon rises, they watch the moon and then the face of their husband through the sieve. Then they give “argha” and pray for the long life of their husband.
- The husband then gives water from the karwa to help the wife break her fast.
- The ritual is then followed by a lavish feast of rich Indian delicacies and a load of sweets.
Significance of Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha
What are the items that go in a Sargi?
The sargi thali contains energetic foods that assist the woman get over the rigours of the fast. Along with the meal, symbols of love and care such as sindoor, sarees etc. are also offered.
There are many items in the sargi thali that are considered mandatory. Here is a list of things that a sargi thali should contain:-
Fresh Fruits :- Fresh fruit contains a lot of water. Eating a lot of fresh fruits will help make up for the lack of water during the Karwa Chauth Vrat, which is nirjala, or without water. Pomegranates and citrus fruits together might help the body retain more water.
Dry Fruits :- Festivities never fail to include dry fruits. They have a revitalizing quality that can keep the body going for extended periods of time. The women would benefit from having cashews, almonds, raisins, and pistachios in the thali.
Cooked Food :- When fasting, simply prepared meals may go a long way. The prepared foods that have to be a part of the Sargi thali include mathris, a couple of rotis, sabji, or halwa. These dishes keep them fuller for longer while not being too heavy to cause indigestion.
Sweets :- Beginning the fast with something delicious provides the energy and mental clarity needed to last the entire day. In several regions, including Sevvainyaan as a sweet in the Sargi thali is seen as obligatory. Kheer and other sweet foods may also be offered.