2007-10-29: Karwa Chauth (Hindu)

Karwa Chauth Origin - Karwa Chauth History- Karva Chauth History and Origin - Karwachauth Origin

Karva Chauth originated as a social and seasonal festival, but somewhere down the line the festival deviated from its original form. The word Karva Chauth, is composed of Karva - meaning a clay pot - and Chauth (from char meaning four) corresponding to the fourth day after the Full Moon in Kartik month (of Hindu calendar) following the Autumnal Equinox.

This time of the year is just after the harvest of Kharif (monsoon) crops and people are usually in a festive mood. They like to remember and meet their relatives and friends, and exchange gifts with them. Diwali is a similar seasonal festival - in addition to having religious significance - that is nine days after Karva Chauth.

The idea behind Karwa Chauth is very sweet and noble. In olden days girls were married at a very early age and used to go and live with their in-laws in other (often very remote) villages. Everyone would be a stranger there for the new bride. If she had any problems with her husband or in-laws, she would have no one to talk to or seek support from. Modes of communication/transport were not very developed and hence it was not easy for her to approach her parents and relatives.

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