In India, the ritual of marriage is considered to be the ultimate ritual of life. Here tying knots means promising a companionship of seven lives. In a country with intricate rituals and customs, it is believed that there is nothing more pious and stronger than the relationship of marriage. According to the ancient Hindu texts, the will power of a married lady to change her husbands bad fortune into good is so strong that it can even change Gods ultimate decision.
In a country like India where marriage is far beyond worldly affairs, Karva Chauth is regarded as the biggest occasion for the entire married woman fraternity in the country. It is said that the successful completion of this tough fast ensures a long life and prosperous future for her husband. Traditionally, the festival celebrates a wife's devotion toward her husband and stands for her fasting to pray for the husband's long life. Karva is another word for 'pot' (a small earthen pot of water) and chauth means 'fourth' in Hindi, and the festival falls on the fourth day of the dark-fortnight, or krishna paksh of the month of Kartik. The festival has its roots in mythology. The puja is marked by the storytelling of Princess Veeravati who gets married to a king. On her first Karva Chauth, she decides to visit her parents. The rigour of fasting all day renders her weak and she faints. Her seven brothers, who love her immensely, can not bear to see their sister in this state and trick her into thinking that the moon has risen. Just as she breaks her fast, she gets word that her husband, the king is dead. The queen is heartbroken and rushes to her husband’s palace. Enroute, she meets Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva who tell her that it is a penance and fasting on Karva Chauth will help bring back her husband. The tale ends happily as the king gains consciousness and they live happily ever after.!
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