I observed ‘Karva Chauth’, festival yesterday November 2nd 2012

India
November 3, 2012 2:21am CST
We Hindus have so many festivals all-round the year. SOURCE--- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karva_Chauth AND ------ http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karva-chauth/1/227368.html I have edited the information to make it compact. Here it is… Karva Chauth, is the festival of India, is celebrated by married women. Sometimes, unmarried women observe the fast for their desired husbands. They observe a fast for the long life of their husbands and later in the day, adorn bridal makeup. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon, in the Hindu lunar calendar month of Kartik. It falls on November 2 2012; this year. The fast begins before sunrise and ends only after offering prayers and worshiping the moon at night. No food or water can be taken after sunrise. Women dress in fine clothing and wear jewelry, apply henna, and also dress in the complete finery of their wedding dresses. The dresses are frequently red or orange in color, which are considered auspicious colors. Women begin preparing for Karva Chauth a few days in advance, by buying cosmetics, traditional adornments or jewelry, and puja items, henna and the decorated puja plate. Women gather and hear the ‘Karwa chauth story’ , a special mud pot, that is considered a symbol of lord Ganesha, a metal urn filled with water, flowers, idols of Goddess and some fruits, soil and food grains. A part of this is offered to the deities and the storyteller. Once the moon rises, the women see its reflection in a pot of water, or through a fine cloth or a sieve. They offer water to the moon and seek blessings. They pray for the safety, prosperity and long life of their husbands. This marks the end of the day long fast. As people these days are more inclined towards 'eating out' most restaurants have special menus for this occasion. Even clubs organize special events on this day with various stalls, bumper prizes, dance competitions etc. [b]Parents often send gifts to their married daughters and their children. I gave sari to my daughter in laws; hubby gave me a pure silk-sari.[/b] The weather here was cloudy; we could see the moon at 1am only and broke the fasting by eating fruits and milk. Hope my mylot friends will find this information interesting. We Hindus have so many festivals all-round the year. My friends from India must have celebrated it. Have a nice day. Please comment on this and share about any recent festival you had. Kalyani November 03 2012 [/i][i][u][/u]
2 people like this
2 responses
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
3 Nov 12
hello kal, Indians are very generous people all year round. there are so many who have changed their ways including the way they clothe themselves, the habits and all. But for your family, i can see you have retain the traditions that were taught by your older relatives and that is a great gift. the prayers and the offering of fast is so holy. the story must be so enchanting that every women gathers to listen to it again and again, year after year. for us, november 2 s also a festival but very different from yours. we celebrate all souls day during this time. november 1 is all saints day and the 2nd is all souls day. families go to visit the graves of their departed loved ones and offer prayers, light candles and also do picnics and offer it to their departed relatives. thank you for sharing. ann
2 people like this
• India
3 Nov 12
Dear Anny Thanks for the response first. Hubby has sent dress and cloth for you, try to wear the cloth as sari lol THANKS FOR TELLING ME ABOUT YOUR FESTIVAL.
2 people like this
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
3 Nov 12
thats exciting! i couldn't wait to see it. thank you both. love ann
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
3 Nov 12
hi kalyni it sounds really great for the women and I am thinking w e really have no festivals exactly like that here. we will have Thanksgvomng later this m onth in whichwe eat tu rkey and the trinmibngs and give thanks to God for all that we have..it seems it would be good to have a festival honoring women too but we havne nothing.its great that the women think of their husbands and fast to honor them..you have many fascinating festivals. all so colorf l too. love that
1 person likes this
• India
15 Jan 13
Mommy Thanks for response.