Faith

Karwa Chauth is the day for us women to get pampered, dressed up and be treated like princesses by our other halves…well, those of us that have them that is.

For singletons amongst the Indian female community we do celebrate it in hope of meeting the right man. But whilst being treated so well and feeling gorgeous on Karwa Chauth we have to also starve ourselves until we see the moon! Confused? Well let me explain.

Karwa Chauth - women praying

The legend of Karwa Chauth

There are a couple of significant stories that make Karwa Chauth what it is.  Karwa Chauth falls on a different date every year depending on the moon and this year it was on the 17th October 2008.

Karwa Chauth is a fast that begins at sunrise and end at the sight of seeing the moon on that night by wives who pray for their husbands long and healthy lives, and young single women who pray to find a perfect husband one day.

Originally Karwa Chauth is a Hindu occasion, however many other Indians including Sikhs now believe in the legend that is Karwa Chauth and keep the fast. It is said once a woman starts the fast, she should continue to do it every year for as long as she lives.

Durga Bhawan Mandir

The legend of Veeravati

Many years ago there lived a young girl named Veeravati. Veeravati was the youngest of seven brother and was married to the King of her village. One night she went to stay at her parents house and after sunrise took on a strict fast until she saw the moon that night and her husbands face.

However, the Queen couldn't take the fast and was feeling extremely hungry whilst awaiting the moon’s appearance. Her seven brothers hated seeing their sister go through this and decided to end her fast by lying to her and creating a fake moon. The brothers reflected a mirror through some tree leaves.

The sister, took it as moon rise and broke her fast and ate. However, the moment the queen ate her dinner, she received the news that her husband, the king, was seriously ill.

Legend has it that as the Queen rushed to her husband's side she had met the Hindu God Lord Shiva and the Hindu Goddess Parvati. Parvati informed her that the king had died because the Queen had broken her fast by watching a false moon.

Shri Krishna Mandir

However, when the Queen asked her for forgiveness, the goddess granted her the wish that her husband be revived. But for this, she would have to undertake the Karva Chauth fast under strict rituals, then only her husband would come to life. This is why many women now fast on this occasion to grant their beloved husbands a long and healthy life.

The legend of Karva and the crocodile

Another Legend that many believe in is that of a woman named Karva who was deeply devoted to her husband.  One day whilst her husband was bathing he was attacked by a crocodile.

Karva came running and bound the crocodile with a cotton yarn. She then went to Yama, the Hindu Lord of the death, and begged him to send the crocodile to hell. When Yama refused, she threatened to curse him. Afraid of the power of a devoted wife, Yama readily accepted and sent the crocodile to Yamalok or hell, and blessed Karva's husband with long life.

My day of Karwa Chauth

I really enjoy Karwa Chauth, I think it's a great day to get dressed up and spend time with the women in my family, my female friends and relatives.

Reena Combo and family

I woke up at 3.45am and bathed, it is important to start your day with the body being cleansed. Then at 4am I ate before the sun rose, this has to be traditional Karwa Chauth food which included a Parontha (stuffed chappati), potato curry, a piece of coconut, indian sweets and a cup of tea or glass of water.

After eating this meal, which believe me is very hard to eat at that time in the morning, I then spent the day with the mum and sister, and a few friends. Women generally spend the day at the pictures, shopping, applying henna to their hands and passing the day by in a fun way.

In the evening I went to the Shri Krishna Mandir in Wolverhampton to pay my respects and listen to the story of Karwa Chauth and the prayers that coincide with this significant day. As a fond Mandir-goer I also went to visit the Durga Bhawan Mandir in Bilston and did the same there.

Parwati Shri Krishna Mandir

It was announced at 6.53pm that the moon was out and that we could eat, however in my family (and the way legend tells it) traditionally we don't eat until we have seen the moon. At around 9.30pm I saw the moon twinkling down on me in my back garden…and my how happy I was?!

I ate and ate and ate…and as I write this some one hour after opening my fast I wish I hadn't eaten so much and so quickly. But even so, I had a lovely day and enjoyed the festivities that come with this wonderful day, and hey, here’s hoping all the singles girls like me who fasted meet their perfect match soon.