Remember watching Kajol falling decisively in ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’so that she could drink water from Shahrukh’s hands. And if you could stop thinking of Shahrukh now and remember that it is on the occasion of Karva Chauth that the scene happens, we can proceed. Still thinking of him? Ok relax.

After Dandiya Raas, I will take you to the trip of Punjab. On of the major festivals celebrated in Punjab is Karva Chauth. I am sure most of know about it. If not through your friends’ circle from Yash Chopra’s flicks. Nowadays it is been publicized a lot and people of different castes celebrate it.

Karva Chauth in itself is a very sweet and loving festival that bonds a couple. It is one of the best ways of expressing love to one’s spouse. As we Indian women are known for our amiable and motherly nature, we would always love our hubbies to live longer, prosperous and healthier life. Apart from taking care of them in day-to-day life this special day of Karva Chauth we fast for their long, prosperous and healthy lives. The women spend and live the whole day without even having a drop of water and morsel of food. It’s the love of the husband that keeps them jovial and doesn’t make them feel hungry the whole day. This is just not a line but a remark made by most of the women keeping the fast.

This festival comes 9 days before Diwali on 'Kartik Ki Chauth', the fourth day of the dark moon. The day of Karva Chauth starts very early before the sun rises with women having some food in the crack of dawn. After eating, mother in laws gift Sargi to their daughter-in-laws. This Sargi is a complete set of gifts consisting of new clothes, jewellery, cash, sometimes god’s idol and food. Sargi gives a warm touch to the existent mother-daughter relation. After that the ladies resume their routine work and then when it starts getting dusky, all the ladies of the society gather at one woman’s place. All get properly dressed with Solah Singaar, meaning 16 steps involved in bridal make-up. All adorned for their men they spend time singing bhajans and regional songs till the moon appears in the sky. In the evening, a pooja is performed and thalis, that is, plates are laid with milk in a bowl, one sweet dish, water in a glass, kumkum, raw rice, a diya and sieve. They sing and chat with each other till the moon comes out of the clouds, as they can eat or drink only after they see the moon.

The husbands also gather at the place where all women assemble. As soon as the moon comes in view, the hubbies go near their respective wives. Then the lady looks at the moon through a sieve and later sees her husband. Next the lady does pooja to the moon with kumkum, milk and rice. Afterwards, the hubby feeds the wife water and the sweet. Then she touches his feet for his blessings and pray for his long life. It is a beautiful moment of showing love and no candle light dinner or expensive gift is equal to it. Also, both of them give each other gifts.

The women have a mehendi keeping session the night previous to Karva Chauth. The whole idea of fasting is so much fun. Every bit of it is a lovely moment.
“I just love this festival. I can’t stay without food for more than 3-4 hours and without water, I can’t imagine. But this one day I don’t know what happens. I am happy the whole day without having food and water. It is a beautiful feeling. And then when the hubby feeds you, that moment itself fills the tummy. I feel every married woman should fast to understand the power of love in their lives”, Nidhi Gauri, a housewife said.

Well we all fast, but we have different names for the same festival. In south, Varalakshmi Vratham is similar to Karva Chauth.
Believe me, life is beautiful with love all around you and taking that little pain of staying hungry for him makes you feel heavenly.