It’s Karva Chauth and the moon continues to hold fort this day. TV and movies have promoted Karwachauth like nothing before. Karwa Chauth is a significant festival celebrated with great devotion by married women across North India, particularly in the Dogra community. Karva Chauth in Jammu Region: A Glimpse into Dogra Women’s Devotion, the day involves fasting from sunrise until moonrise, accompanied by rituals and customs that emphasize love, devotion, and blessings for a long and prosperous married life. Here’s a detailed look at how Dogra women observe Karwa Chauth, including the rituals performed throughout the day.
Date of Karva Chauth
The auspicious festival is celebrated each year on the Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Krishna Paksha according to the Hindu calendar. On this day, married women observe a day-long fast for the long and healthy life of their husbands. The term ‘Karwa’ implies an earthen pot of water and the word ‘chauth’ means fourth, signifying that Karva Chauth falls on the fourth day after Poornima (full moon). Also referred to as Karak Chaturthi, on this day, women get ready by doing ‘solah (16) shrigaar’ in the evening and prepare for moon worship. They fast from sunrise until moonrise and make special prayers to Goddess Parvati.
Many unmarried women too observe fast on this day and pray for a good husband. The women observe the Karva Chauth vrat, which is a nirjala (without food or water)
Significance of Karwa Chauth
The fasting of Karwa Chauth has special significance in Hinduism and Dogra Culture. This fast is kept for the long life of the husband and by doing this the problems in married life are removed. It is believed that women who worship Goddess Parvati on this day are blessed with good fortune. Apart from Parvati, Lord Shiva and Kartikeya are also worshiped on Karwa Chauth.
Karwa means earthen pot which holds a great significance in puja. Ladies offer water known as Argha to the moon through this pot. Chauth means the fourth day. Women start preparing for the big day in advance.
Here is how a typical Karwachauth of a Dogra lady is celebrated :
Sargi: The Pre-Dawn Ritual
In the days leading up to Karwa Chauth, mothers-in-law present their daughters-in-law with feniyaan-katlamme and other gifts as part of the Sargi ritual. Brothers also shower their married sisters with these traditional bakery items, along with clothes, makeup, and other thoughtful gifts. Ideally, Sargi should be consumed before sunrise, as astrologers recommend eating it during the auspicious Brahma Muhurta for the best spiritual benefits.
Beginning the Fast
The fast officially begins before dawn with the consumption of Sargi. This meal typically includes the aforementioned bakery items, traditional desi tea, coconuts, and other nourishing foods. After finishing Sargi, the challenging day-long fast commences, lasting until the moon is sighted in the evening. During this period, women abstain from food and water as a mark of devotion and love for their husbands.
Glamorous All Day
Karwa Chauth is a day when married women are seen in their finest attire and makeup, reminiscent of their wedding day. The vibrant outfits and sparkling accessories add to the festive atmosphere, making the day truly special for all who observe it.
Receiving the Baya: A Traditional Gift
Before evening, married women receive a special basket known as the baya from their mothers. This basket, which is meant for the mother-in-law, contains a variety of items, including:
- Sweets and Mathi: Traditional delicacies that symbolize prosperity and sweetness in relationships.
- Fruits: Representing health and well-being.
- A Sari: A token of respect and love for the mother-in-law.
The baya is an important part of the tradition, signifying the bond between the bride’s maternal family and her in-laws.
Preparing the Puja Chowk: The Ritual Space
Before the sun sets, women in the neighborhood gather at a chosen house to prepare the puja chowk, a sacred space for the evening prayers. The preparation includes:
- Decorating the Corner: A designated corner is beautifully adorned with traditional decorations.
- Creating a Small Platform: A platform is prepared against the wall where the image of Goddess Gauri, also known as Goddess Parvati, is placed.
- Arranging the Bayas: Each woman sits around the image with her baya and other ritual items.
This ritual space becomes the center of the evening’s activities, where prayers and blessings are shared.
The Karwa and Pua: Essential Ritual Items
During the puja, each woman places a Karwa (a pitcher full of water) in front of her, along with seven pieces of Pua (a traditional sweet dish). These items are important components of the ritual and hold symbolic meanings:
- The Karwa: Adorned with white clay (Kharia), aipum, and a bit of red powder (roli), symbolizing purity and devotion.
- The Pua: Represents offerings made to the deities.
A red thread is tied around the Karwa, signifying the sacredness of the ritual.
The Puja Rituals and Prayers
As the puja begins, women follow a series of steps to invoke blessings:
- Applying the Roli Tika: Using the thumb and third finger of the right hand, women apply the roli tika to the image of Goddess Gauri and then to themselves.
- Sprinkling Water on the Goddess: Water is sprinkled on the deity’s image to purify and sanctify the ritual space.
- Repeating the Procedure with Aipum and Roli: The same steps are followed using the other ritual items.
This ritual is a means of connecting with the divine and seeking the goddess’s blessings for marital happiness and prosperity.
Narrating the Legend of Karwa Chauth
An elderly woman, often a senior family member, narrates the legend associated with Karwa Chauth. Interestingly, even a widow can recount this story, which adds a communal aspect to the ceremony. The legend is believed to emphasize the significance of a wife’s devotion to her husband and the blessings received through fasting.
Legend of Karwa Chauth
A long time ago there lived a beautiful girl by the name of veeravati. She was the only sister of her seven loving brothers, and was married to a king. on the occasion of the first Karwa Chauth after her marriage, she went to her her parents house. After sunrise, she observed a strict fast, however, the queen could not stand the rigours of fasting and was desperately waiting for the moon to rise. The seven brothers who loved her dearly, were very disturbed watching the distress of their sister and decided to end her fast by deceiving her. Then the brothers reflected a mirror through pipal trees leaves. The sister took it as moonrise , broke the fast and took food.However the moment the queen ate her dinner she received the news that her her husband, the king was seriously ill. The queen rushed to her husband’s palace and on the way, she met Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati. Parvati informed her that the King had died because the queen had broken her fast by watching false moon . However, when the queen asked her for forgiveness, the goddess granted her the boon that the king would be revived. But to achieve this, she would have to undertake the Karwa Chauth fast under strict rituals , then only her husband would come to life. Thus, by strictly following all the rituals of Karwa Chauth , queen Veeravati got her husband.
Exchanging Bayas: Symbolic Sharing of Blessings
Late evening, women from a locality gather, usually in a park or a temple. There they perform a sort of prayers, called as Beya bataana/ बेया बटाना which literally means exchanging beya. While chanting prayers, women pass their bayas from one to another. This act symbolizes the sharing of blessings, love, and goodwill among the participants. It fosters a sense of unity and support within the community.
Karwa Chauth Song and Thali Exchange
During the evening rituals, women sing the traditional Karwa Chauth song while exchanging thalis (decorative plates) among themselves. This exchange is performed seven times and includes the bayen (gifts) placed in the thali. The song and the thali exchange bring a sense of joy and shared cultural heritage among the women.
The Wait for the Moonrise
After the sun sets, the women eagerly await the moonrise. As soon as the moon appears, they offer prayers to the moon, a ritual that marks the culmination of the day’s fasting. The sighting of the moon is considered auspicious and signals the time to break the fast.
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Breaking the Fast: A Ritual Filled with Love and Devotion
The fast is broken in a ritualistic manner:
- Observing the Moon Through a Sieve: The fasting woman first looks at the moon through a sieve, a traditional gesture symbolizing the removal of obstacles in her married life.
- Husband Offers the First Sip of Water and Food: The husband then gives his wife the first sip of water and the first morsel of food, symbolizing his appreciation for her devotion and strengthening the bond between them.
- Followed by a Sumptuous Dinner: The fast is concluded with a special dinner where traditional dishes are served, marking the end of the day’s festivities.
Significance of the Rituals and Customs
The Karwa Chauth rituals observed by Dogra women are deeply rooted in tradition and carry profound significance:
- Strengthening Marital Bonds: The rituals emphasize the wife’s dedication and the husband’s appreciation, reinforcing the bond of love and commitment.
- Honoring Family Ties: The exchange of bayas and the preparation of the baya by the woman’s maternal family serve as a reminder of the connection between the families.
- Building Community Spirit: As women gather together for the puja and celebrations, it fosters a sense of unity, mutual support, and cultural preservation.
Karwa Chauth is more than just a day of fasting; it is a celebration of love, devotion, and cultural values. The rituals followed by Dogra women add to the festival’s vibrancy, reflecting the depth of their traditions. While the fast can be physically challenging, the support from family and the shared joy of the rituals make it a cherished day for all who observe it.
In Bhaderwah of Jammu, Kanchauth is celebrated in Magha Month of Hindu Calender. A day before on Tritiya, Kashmiri Pandits celebrate Gauratrai (Gauri Tritiya).
By following these time-honored customs, Dogra women not only uphold their cultural heritage but also strengthen the bonds of love and togetherness within their families.
