Feminine side of love | Karwa Chauth | 2020

Women are an integral part of our society without whom it is completely impossible for one to even think of humanity moving forward or moving at all. Every year, on Karva Chauth, Indian women across the world fast from the sunrise to moonrise.
Karva Chauth is observed by many but the significance of Karva Chauth does not only limit itself to the husband-wife relationship, it goes much deeper and aims at connecting friends and family. The origin of this festival goes back in time, when technology was non-existent, and communication was not easy. Traditionally, a bride used to marry and move to a faraway village where she had no friends or anyone to talk to and confide in. Hence, at the time of the wedding, she used to befriend a girl from the groom’s clan or village, and they were known as ‘Kangan-Behen’ or God-sisters for life. They would share all happy and sad moments and talk their heart out to each other. Karva Chauth was the day to celebrate this relationship but with time, the essence of the festival transformed to its present-day form where a husband has become the focal point of the festival.
There are many folklores explaining the origin of Karva Chauth. On this day married women fast from sunrise to moonrise wishing for the long life of their life partner. The mother-in-law gifts her daughter-in-law ‘Sargi’ to depict that she maybe her daughter-in-law, but she will never be considered anything less than her real daughter. Karva Chauth is also about developing self-control, concentration and as devotion to Goddess Shakti.
Irrespective of the reason for celebrating Karva Chauth, womanhood has always remained the focus of this festival. Karva Chauth is about women caring and sharing love and belongingness with their family and friends. A woman may fast or not, she remains the core of every household and of all mankind and without her the world would not be able to sustain itself. Thus, the ancient tradition of Karwa Chauth highlights the beauty and essence of feminine love and human relationships.