Everything you need to know about Karwa Chauth: Rituals, gifts, and more
No matter where you live in India, you must have heard at least once about Karwa Chauth. It’s the simple Hindu astrology festival where women (and some men) fast for the whole day so that they can pray to Goddess Parvati and ask her to let their husbands live long lives. Here, we will tell you everything you need to know about this age-old Hindu festival held every year on the Kartik Purnima and how it got started.
What is Karwa Chauth?
Karwa Chauth is a Hindu festival celebrating the marital bond between husband and wife. The day marks the end of a fast undertaken by married women who observe it to pray for their husband’s long life. Women abstain from eating anything during this time except a few drops of water after offering prayers at home or temples dedicated to Goddess Parvati. The fasting period begins when they wake up early in the morning, bathe and wear new clothes before starting the fast. The mother-in-law gives the daughter-in-law a sargi thali, which consists of food items, money, and a saree. If you’re not feeling up to going outside, you can order Karwa Chauth sargi online for your daughter-in-law. Online shopping has a lot of benefits, including your ability to choose from a wide range of options and get them delivered to your doorstep.
History of Karwa Chauth
The history of Karwa Chauth is traced back to Rigveda, one of the oldest scriptures in the world. It is believed that Goddess Parvati started this festival in order for the long life of her husband, Lord Shiva. According to legend, Lord Shiva was cursed by Goddess Parvati’s father, King Himalaya. He was cursed to remain in isolation for all his life and not get married. But despite this curse, Shiva was deeply in love with Parvati and wanted to marry her. When he went to meet his father-in-law, he found him meditating on Mount Kailash in Tibet. Lord Shiva then decided that he would not return home without marrying Parvati. So he waited patiently for him to finish his meditation and get married. When King Himalaya returned home after marrying Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva broke into his palace and abducted Parvati while she was asleep. The couple spent the night on Mount Kailash without food or water until King Himalaya arrived at dawn with fresh fruits so they could break their fast. It is said that this ritual still continues today as part of Karwa Chauth celebrations for married women who want their husbands.
Here are some tips to help you make the women feel loved and special on Karwa Chauth:
1. Buy gifts
Karwa Chauth gifts are mostly given to wives by their husbands to express love and gratitude towards them on this auspicious occasion. Although it’s not necessary that only husbands can give gifts, you can order Karwa Chauth gift for wife, mothers, etc. Gifts can be anything ranging from small tokens like flowers and sweets to expensive jewelry such as earrings or necklaces; they just need to be thoughtful enough.
2. Prepare a special surprise for her
Prepare something special for her on this day and make her feel loved and cared for. This can be anything from a dinner date to a gift or even a small token of appreciation. Make sure that the surprise is not too elaborate, as it might get you into trouble later on!
3. Send flowers to her office
Flowers are one of the best gifts to send to your wife on this day. It shows that you have put effort and thought into choosing something that she will like, which is what every lady loves to see! The best part about flowers is that they last longer than most other gifts and can be enjoyed by both of you at home together.
4. Cook something delicious
Karwa Chauth is not just about fasting; it’s also about showing how much you love your wife by preparing a delicious meal for her. Make sure that it consists of healthy ingredients so that she does not feel guilty after eating before sunset. If you have kids at home, make sure they do their bit by helping out with cooking and cleaning up afterward.
