Karva Chauth nowadays is a fast you observe when you pray for the health and long-life of your husband. However, the ritual had a different beginning.

In the Beginning…

Girls were married off at an early age in India and the girls' parents usually lived in far away villages. If she faced any problems with her in-laws she had no one to confide in. She was supposed to choose a sister-in-law or a god-sister from her husband's family after her marriage.

This girl came into her life the moment she got married. She was supposed to be her friend and confidante. If she had any problems in her marital home, she confided in her god-sister. The Karva Chauth ritual was started when all the ladies of the home gathered and fasted and prayed for their god-sister.

The husband was also included into this ritual since the god-sister came into the girls' life the moment she was married. But as time passed by, the god-sister aspect faded out and the husband took centrestage.

The Festival

Karva chauth is celebrated in the month of Karthik which usually is in the month of October. Inspite of it's beginnings from the god-sister; the festival also finds it's origins in the Mahabharata.

A few days before Karva (clay pot) Chauth the women buy new karvas, or spherical clay pots. They then paint the clay pots. They put bangles, sweets and homemade sweets in the clay pots. The women then visit each other on the day or a day before and exchange these karvas.

The festival, these days have become a bigger affair. Women who know one another usually decide to meet at one of their homes and celebrate the festival together. They spend their day offering prayers for their husband's good health and long life.

Some women also have mehendi done. All the women dress in their very best on the day. They wear their bangles, bindis and sindoor.