Karwa Chauth Amazing facts 2019

Karwa Chauth Amazing facts 2019

Sharing similar sentiments, Vishnu Jaiswal, a photographer has a unique reason to fast on this special day along with his wife. Vishnu who is observing the fast for the last five years says that it helps him to rest the entire day. "I remember last year when I was fasting with my wife I told my boss that I will not be able to do assignments on that day and much to my surprise, he agreed and I had the liberty to rest the entire day in the office," said Mr Jaiswal while describing his Karwa Chauth fasting story.

"Also, I don't consume food but cheat in a manner by drinking 3-4 cups of tea throughout the day. And the best part is that you get a lot of liberty at your workplace where you get less burdened with work," said Mr Singh jokingly while briefing about the leverage he receives at his workplace.

"Earlier I felt bad that my wife had to observe a fast alone but then I decided to accompany her. Some of my friends and colleagues found it weird as well, but then they understood it."

Karva (Alternately Karwa) means a small earthen pot of water and chauth refers to the fourth day of the dark fortnight. But there is another story of Karva, a woman who was deeply devoted to her husband. Once her husband was attacked by a crocodile, Karva bound the crocodile with cotton yarn. It is believed that Yama, afraid of Karva’s devotedness, sent the crocodile to hell and blessed the couple with many years of wedded bliss.

Vishnu, and many others like him, feel that traditions should forge bonds, and should not be just one partner''s prerogative. If both partners are on the same page, then things become easier. While on one hand, working women do not get leverage of taking a day off or leaving the office early on the special day, Anand Sharma, an accountant, on the other hand, uses several tactics to convince his boss and release him before evening.

It is believed that once Draupadi remembered Lord Krishna when Arjun went to the Nilgiris for penance. The rest of the Pandavas, too, were facing many difficulties. Krishna asked her to observe Karwa Chauth fast, which eventually helped Pandavas come out of their misfortune.

The festival coincides with the beginning of the Rabi crop cycle. So, it is believed that this festival is also a form of prayer for a good harvest.
It is the pre-dawn meal which comes from the mother-in-law before the daughter-in-law starts her fasting. It contains cooked food, dry fruits, sweets, diya, matri, dahi etc.

The festival was emerged also as a day for celebrating autumn. Hindu married women enjoy the company and companionship of relatives and friends. As of recently, the celebration has been given a more religious touch.

Karva Chauth / Karwa Chauth, one of many Hindu festivals, is a fasting ritual observed by all married Hindu women who seek the longevity, prosperity and well-being of their husbands. This festival is very popular amongst married Hindu women in the western and northern parts of India, primarily in Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. During the Karwa Chauth festival, married Hindu women dedicate the day to their husbands. Normally, women who observe this festival are called "Saubhagyavati" meaning "joyous and happy status of wifehood."