Tomorrow, I will be celebrating my first Karwa Chauth as a married woman. In high school, I used to participate in all the festivities, ceremonies, and the day-long fasting. Partially because my mom was doing it and I didn’t want her to go through it alone. And partially because I, like the superstitious person that I am, believed all the Nanis and Aunties and Masis that told me I would find a wonderful husband this way.
What exactly is Karwa Chauth?
It’s a one-day festival – celebrated by most women in India – in which married women fast all day long for the safety and longevity of their husbands. And, sometimes, in my case, unmarried women observe the fast for their desired husbands. I believed everyone when they told me that somehow, in some way, by keeping a fast from sunrise to moonrise, I would ultimately find a perfect husband.
And I did.
So, I’m a believer. Even though there’s that inner feminist (and realist) in me that knows that these things don’t go hand in hand. We women starve ourselves for a whole day just so our husbands can live a long life?! How sexist. How regressive.
Except it’s not. Not to me.
I am often asked why I continue to celebrate this day. Now that I’m living in America. Living in a more progressive world where women and men stand on equal ground. A world where I am now a 30-year old woman and can make my own decisions (….most of the time).
It’s because this festival has become so much more than it’s origin and it’s history. Karwa Chauth has become a family tradition. A day where I can thank my mother-in-law for having brought up the one person who matters so much to me. It is a day when I get to celebrate with both of my Mamas (although, this year, we’ll be celebrating through Facetime). It’s a day when I abstain from food and water and am reminded of these basic things that we normally take for granted.
And it’s a day that, yes, I thank my husband.
For loving me. For putting up with all my shenanigans. And for showing me his love in a million other ways.
Happy Karwa Chauth to all that are celebrating! Here’s to hoping the moon miraculously appears in the sky by 5PM tomorrow!
Questions of the Day:
- Do you celebrate Karwa Chauth?
- Share a tradition or holiday that your family celebrates!
Very cool post! It was nice learning a little more about this.
I knew what Karwa Chauth was but the photo on your blog is so funny! 😄 good post!
How fun! I think it’s important to do as well–it helps keep the culture alive.
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I’m so excited for you! I too looked forward to my first karvachauth because I grew up same as you, watching my mom and aunts and cousins enter this super romantic women’s club! It is by far more romantic than Valentine’s Day and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this day. Anubhav fasts with me and part of me says aww and part of me says dang now I can’t whine about the hunger and thirst to him. 🙂
I have never heard of this. What an interesting custom you are sharing with us.
Thank you for sharing this post. I had not heard of this tradition until this post. I hope you and your husband have a fun filled life of shenanigans – together!
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How cool. I totally agree. It is much more romantic than Valentine’s Day. Have fun and stay blessed 🙂
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What a great celebration and one I hadn’t heard of until now. I appreciate you taking the time to explain it in such a real-world way. I wish you luck, happiness and health!
I absolutely love that you still celebrate family traditions and stay true to your culture. I don’t think it’s archaic at all, I think it’s so special and I hope you ate a whole pizza after lol. I honestly can’t think of any family traditions. Thanks for sharing this I love learning about other cultures.
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I had so much fun reading this and learning more about your culture! Thank you so much for sharing this!
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I can definitely understand why you continue to participate in this fast. I didn’t know about Karwa Chauth!
Thanks for sharing about one of your family traditions! I didn’t know about Karwa Chauth and I always like to learn about things like this.
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Such a lovely post! I learn a lot about your culture through this. I believe in girl power to, but I also uphold a few things from my culture, so I totally understand. I feel like as long as it is a positive experience and we are not forced to do it.. it’s okay.
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How lovely! What a cool experience. I really enjoyed learning about it. Learning about different cultures is fantastic.
You explained everything in a scintillating manner and the wit is likewise amazing; however, it should not be considered sexist. For instance, wearing a “Saree” (traditional Indian wear) is not sexist but forcing a girl to wear it can be considered sexist; similarly, fasting for the whole day as per the traditional festival “Karwa Chauth” is not sexist. But if it is asked or forced, then I would consider it sexist. Moreover, a lot of husbands are also fasting these days for the well being of their wives.
Very interesting. I enjoyed reading your post, thank you for sharing.
This is so cool! We fast for lent in our religion. And on every friday of lent we aren’t supposed to eat meat of any kind. It’s for Christ tho, it’s not for a husband like yours. Which I think is so cool! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Such a well written post of Karwa Chauth:):)
God Bless you and Ankur with all the love happiness & success together.
Wow, thank you for sharing! I think it’s great that you choose celebrate. As time progesses, holidays and traitions take on a new form and we interpret them to our own meanings.
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Beautiful post! I get emotional each time I read it. You’re the sweetest & most caring person. Wishing you & Ankur a life of happiness joy and lots of memories. God bless you!!
Happy Karwa Chauth!!
Wow..now I have learned something new. I don’t think fasting for anything is empty superstition. I have learned to accept that each culture has something to teach the rest of the world, and that things cannot be explained does not mean they are false.
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This is so cool. Love the pictures and the traditional emotion mixed with modernity – beautifully conveyed! I hail from southern part of the country, so don’t celebrate Karwa Chauth but have friends who do. Wish you a happy festive time 🙂
This is such an interesting feast. I hope you have a wonderful day.
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There are different traditions and customs everywhere, and you seem to love him so much. Love the hamburger pic. 🙂
Keep celebrating! If it’s something that has importance to you, who cares where you are living?
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What a lovely sign of devotion and love. Fasting is very difficult and to do it to honor your husband is wonderful. I don’t care how progressive things are for women, honoring your husband will always lead to a good life.
Wow this is so interesting and I’ve never heard of this tradition before! Thanks so much for sharing, it’s always interesting to see other culture’s traditions!
I tried fasting back when I was in college. I usually just skip 3 meals at the most. I have yet to do it again one of these days.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. So beautifully written, with such love.
I think it’s wonderful to maintain traditions that mean so much to us, and especially ones that honors a union between families… That said, I totally get your point and that comic strip was hilarious. 🙂