Karva Chauth

'Karva Chauth' is one of the most famous fasts among the Indian married women that are observed by them for the long lives, prosperity and well being of their husbands. This Hindu religious festival has a great social and cultural significance in India where women apply henna paste on their hands, adorn themselves with bridal make-up heavy jewellery and attires and give gifts to their in-laws, especially, mother-in-law as a token of thanks to raise a worthy son for being their husband. More popular in North India, Karwa Chauth has caught up all over India, highlighted by the Indian film industry and markets get flooded with special discounts and offers on beauty products, sarees, jewellery and beauty packages during the festive season.

The important rituals involving Karva Chauth include worshipping 'karvas' spherical clay pots with symbols for married women and sweets. They are later exchanged with other married women. People observe fasts all days long, then worship the 'karva' and say legends associated to the festival. Later, they wait for the moon to rise and as soon as it rises, they worship the moon and their husbands and ask for their blessings. Then, the husbands would help their wives to break the fasts by giving them the first drink of water from their own hands and giving them the first bite of food. This ends the fast of the ladies. Later, husbands generally gift their wives with gifts such as new sarees or jewellery pieces.