 Karwa Chauth is a tradition fast that is observed by married Hindu women who keep fast to prayer for the prosperity, wellbeing, happiness, and long life of their husbands. It is well liked and admired too among Hindu women in all over India, specially in northern and western parts of India, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Karwa Chauth is like a festival that comes in the month of 'Karthik' (October-November), 9 days before Diwali on 'kartik ki chauth', i.e., on the fourth day of the new moon just after Dusshera.
The Meaning of the term 'Chauth' is the 'fourth day' and 'Karwa' means an earthen pot with a spout which is a symbol of serenity and affluence - that is compulsory for Karwa Chauth ceremony. This is the reason that it is called 'Karwa Chauth'. It is the most essential, typical and difficult fast undertaken by married Hindu women. It starts before sunrise and finishes up only after offering worshiping the moon at night which usually rises at about 8 to 9 p.m. K arwa Chauth fast is difficult to keep as n o food or water is taken after 4 a.m. or after sunrise till night. The fast is broken only when the moon appears and sighted in the sky and all the customs of the day are performed and then women break their fast after offering water to the moon.
Though, according to Hindu tradition it is barred to keep fast for unmarried women, widows, spinsters but unmarried women who are willing to observe this fast, follow all the things somewhat like a married Hindu woman and maintain their Karwa Chauth fast.
According to all the Customs, married woman get up early in the morning, take bath, adorns new clothes and partakes of a meal of very select grains and fruit. Then, Whole they do not take even a single drop of water. In the evening women put on special clothes, usually a red or pink sari or 'lehenga-choli' with woven 'zari' patterns. Newly married woman often wear their bridal costume. All get ready by using jewelry and do not forget to apply mehendi or henna before a day on the hands. Decorative bindis on the forehead are a must for all women taking part in this celebration that add glory to the beauty of woman. Fasting women from all over the neighborhood gather in a group and narrate mythological stories that underscore the significance of Karwa Chauth. In the text-book version of this fast, various items including a karwa, an earthen pot with a spout, are collected and worship is offered to Siva and Parvati. And, of course, all wives expect lavish gifts from their husbands.
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