Women, even men, gear up for Karva Chauth

PUNE: Niharika Shukla is looking forward to Karva Chauth on Saturday. While the 26-year-old architect will be abstaining from food and even water for the whole day, the small rituals and traditions associated with this largely north-Indian festival make it a memorable occasion for her.
On this day, married women pray for the health and longevity of their husbands.For some of the women observing the fast, the day begins much before sunrise when they wake up to eat their only meal of the day. Others finish theirs before midnight and then eat only after worshipping the moon late in the evening.
Sevaiyan made with ghee and cooked with milk and dry-fruits is a common dish eaten in most homes in the morning, as are things like almonds, coconut and fresh fruits. Some families also prepare special laddoos of rice flour with khoya and dry fruits. Dressing up, listening to the 'katha', cooking a feast for dinner and mingling with other married women takes up most of the day.
Nowadays, many husbands too observe the fast as a show of solidarity and love for their wives.
"My husband also kept the Karva Chauth fast in the first year after marriage. Now, he cooks a special dinner for me. He also buys me a gift for this day every year. My family has given me the option of drinking tea or juice after the katha so as to avoid weakness, but so for, I have never felt the need. I prefer to go to office during the day as it keeps my thoughts away food. Anyway, once the mind is made up to abstain, it is not difficult," says Niharika.
Pandit Vasant Gadgil, founder of Sharada Dnyanapeetham, says Karva Chauth is a worship of Lord Ganesha and the Moon God in the evenings. "In Maharashtra, this day is observed as Sankashti Chaturthi. Among north-Indians, women pray to the Lord to bestow on her Saubhagya, or the traits of a successful marriage with her husband, including good fortune, prosperity, wealth, popularity, religion and freedom from distractions etc. Kumkum has a special significance on this day."
For homemaker Meera Ahluwalia, it's all about feeling special. "I go all out to dress up for this day. I will apply mehendi on my hands on Friday evening. Last year, I wore my wedding lehenga on Karva Chauth, but for this year, I have bought a rich red suit. Red bangles, jewellery etc are the other staples of this day. I will also be gifting my mother in-law something," she said.