This generation celebrates Karva Chauth for reasons other than long life.
The age old practices are followed blindly in the wake of religion and in the name of tradition. Lesser known reasons to why we follow major practices these days, people continue to instill trust in them.
Among other practices and beliefs is Karva Chauth, it is believed to be a festival of married women who fast for their husband’s long life and healthy life from before sunrise to moonrise.
Times are changing. While a large section of women believe in the fact that fasting leads to a long and healthy life of your partner, there is another section of women emerging, those who think its not!
Proving this true is the generation in their early 20’s and 30’s. Strangled in the traditions these women emerge with their own reasons to fast-
Fasting to satisfy and see your mother in law happy, or to grow your bond with your husband or just as simple as taking out a day to thank you lover, here is what these ladies had to say -
Charmi 25, from Chandigarh says, “I look at us and thank god for I belong to him. I don’t fast on any other day other than Karvachauth, not because of the age old story but because it makes me more patient and stronger from within. If the situation demands, I could take a bullet in my chest for love. Me and my husband, Tarun fast together, out of our choice and no force.”
Religion and traditions take a back seat when it comes to the realities of life for them.
“Every woman who loves her husband and vice versa pray for each other’s long life, no fast can change your life time. He’ll always be in my prayers”, says charmi Thakral Gupta who sums up a 20 something old belief just aptly.
Getting up early and having Sargi is like a reminder of a woman who will never let me starve that is my mother in law. Touching my husband’s feet is not something I do daily, though he prefers a massage, laughs a 26 year old Heena who is from Delhi and works with Hike. A mod woman who believes, “For both of us it is about respecting each other. It gives me strength. It is something I remember for the rest of the year until Karva chauth comes back and makes it a special day for all of us.”
Karwachauth symbolises love & commitment towards your spouse. I look forward to this day and celebrate it not to please him or anyone else but for the simple reason that if In our culture there is day when fasting for the long Life and health of your spouse is considered auspicious then I can certainly stay hungry and thirsty for a little while, says a 34 year old makeup artist - Tanvi
"The fast breaking ceremony represents how proud a husband is for the multiple roles that the wife plays. It represents how lovingly they feel blessed for their heavenly bond. Love is the most powerful source of imparting positive energy to whatever we do, whatever we stand and whatever we believe in" says Rasmeet from Norway.
“I still believe in old beliefs, though scientifically long life has nothing to do with fasting, but sometimes it's good to indulge in old rituals, especially when it gives happiness to your mother and mother in law” says Shikha -who is 28 and believes if this ritual could bring happiness to her mother, then why not!
I could take a bullet in my chest for him, what is a karva? Defying the age old reasons, these women perfectly follow traditions with a belief to its own. What better than giving life a meaning, and bringing your reasons of love and happiness alive.
We take a bow! Wishing you a very happy Karva Chauth.
-PTC News
