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Quite Charming.....Page 4 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2017 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine Self Analysis....page2 THE KARWA CHAUTH RITUAL LEGEND OF MAHABARATA The legend of this belief is associated back to the Pre-Mahabharata times. It is said that Drupadi wife of Pandvas also observed this fast. It so happened once that in order to undergo penance Arjuna went to the Nilgiris and in his absence his brothers were desperate. Sensing their deplorable condition Drupadi remembered Lord Krishna and asked for help. Lord Krishna advised her to observe the fast of Karwa Chauth. She followed the instructions and kept the fast as per rituals which led to Pandavas to overcome the exaspera- tion they were in. LEGEND OF SATYAVAN AND SAVITRI There was a prediction by some astrologers that Savitri would lose her husband soon she gets married. The nuptial bonds were tied and time of her husbands departure was impending nearer.Yama, the God of Death came to pro- cure Satyavan’s soul which Savitri manifested. She wept bitterly and begged Yama to grant him life but the Death God could not concede to her request ini- tially. Savitri observed the fast vigorously and propitiating gods got the life of her husband revived. THE LEGEND OF KARVA The story is associated with a devout wife Karva who loved her husband fondly and sincerely. One day while bathing, her husband was caught by a ferocious crocodile in shallow waters. Karva came running and had the crocodile bound with a cotton yarn and went to Yama, the Lord of the Death and requested him to send the offending crocodile to hell. When the god of death refused to do so she threatened to accurse him with dire consequences. He was afraid of the power of devout wife, yielded and blessed Karvas husband with long life. FESTIVITIES AND RITUALS Karva Chauth in an Indian festival celebrated by Hindu married women globally in which they observe a nirjala vrat(fast without water and food ) from dawn to dusk in celebration of womanhood to pray for safety , health and longevity of their husband. This is a special day for all married women. It signifies beauty, as all married women, regardless of age, like dressing up. Mehndi, sindur, glass bangles, bindi are all part and parcel of the Karva Chauth festival. Every married Hindu woman celebrates this day with complete sincerity and dedication despite hav- ing stringent rituals associated with the festival in which women observe fast from early morning to moon rise. According to the rituals and traditions, the mother-in-law presents tradi- tional pre dawn meal called Sargi prepared by her to daughter in law as mark of blessings on this special day to complete her fast . A Sargi ideally con- sists of sweets, namkins , dry fruits, coconut etc . The fasting women eat plate- Bushan Malmohi with the emergence of new thoughts and changing trends. Long time back girls ful of savouries and sweets around 4 am--5 am so as to keep going through- used to get married at a very early stage and had to part with their families to out the day without water and food. Unity in diversity reflects the culture of India live with their in-laws. She had to be alone like in isolation. Thus the custom A few days before the festival markets abuzz with soul revishing activities. where the people of various communities, cropped up that at the time of marriage, when bride would reach her in-laws, Henna is applied to the hands with intricate designs. The new dresses are pur- she would befriend another women who would be her life time friend or sis- chased to excel other fasters in a market of cut throat competition beautified sects and castes with divergent traditions ter. Thus Karva Chouth started as a festival to celebrate this friendship with shimmer of gold, diamonds and rubies. The married women would also mingle to create a socially healthy ambience. between once brides and god sisters. This relation had a tremendous social buy new Karwas (earthen pots) with special painting on them. Inside the and cultural significance during that time when means of communication was Karwa they would put bangles, new ribbons, sugar, sweets, make up items and To understand the culture of a country it is imperative to understand its fes- to its low ebb. Karwa Chauth has a host of legends behind it: some clothes which are being gifted to other fasting women. tivals which are based on religious beliefs, mythological beliefs, dogmas, sea- STORY OF QUEEN VEERAVATI In the evening, a community- women ceremony is held. The participating sonal change etc. Festivals teach us to live as one family and one community. fasters dress in fine clothing, wear jewellery, wedding dresses and beautify Karwa Chauth is also one of the celebrated festivals of India. It is one of the A long time ago there lived a beautiful damsel named Veeravati. She was themselves to the entire perfection. The dress comprises mainly of red, gold pious festivals solemnized by Hindu women in every part of the country in one married to a king being the only sister of seven loving brothers. On the occa- orange considered to the auspicious on the occasion. The fasting women sit in form or the other in which married women keep fast from sunrise to the sion of her first Karva Chauth she went to her parental house. As usual, after circles with their puja thalis which is accompanied by a version of story per- moonrise for the welfare of their husbands and propitiating for their long life. sunrise, she observed a strict fast. However, the queen could not withstand taining to the essence of the fast told intermittently. The story is being recited It is a late autumn festival between October and November on the fourth day the rigorous of fasting and was awaiting desperately for moon to rise. The by an old woman. The Karwa Chauth song is being sung in a choric form and of weaning moon fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Kartik. brothers found her in a discomforting position and decided to end her fast by the puja thalis are being waved around in the circle by the fasting women. The festival came to the light when during Mughal invasion husbands of some artifice. They reflected a mirror through a pepal tree leaves, sensing the After the culmination of fera ceremony, the fasting women await the rising Hindu wives were on mission to defend their country against external threats. moon had risen Veeravati broke the fast. Instantly, she received a news that moon. The women with their husbands nearby view the reflection of moon in In order to secure their safe return the wives at home kept a strict fast which her husband was seriously ill. On her way to palace she met Lord Shiva and the water contained in a vessel through sieve. Whereupon the water is offered fructified considerably. The women would dress themselves up like in royal Goddess Parvati. Parvati apprised her that the King had died because they to the moon to secure blessings. She then turns to her husband and view his privileges. queen had broken the fast by watching a false moon. The queen wept bitterly face indirectly. It is believed that at this point of time a woman can surmount The festival coincides with the wheat sowing time (Rabi crop cycle). The and the goddess granted her a boon that the king would be revived only if she death because she stands blessed with boon of longevity of her husband. So occasion is marked by storing wheat in big earthen pots called ‘Karvas’ for undertakes the Karwa Chauth fast under prescribed rituals. The queen kept Indian woman is the epitome of sincerity and devout worshipper of her hus- procuring bumper crop and prosperity. The origin of this festival was based on band. Such a unique feature is found beyond any measure of doubt only in strict fast and her husband revived and got a new life. a noble idea. Though this idea has lost its relevance in the contemporary era Indian women. MAKE-UP Clean your face thoroughly before applying foundation and apply perfect foundation which suits your skin tone ressing up for the ay If you have a clear skin, leave out foundation. After D D cleansing, apply a sunscreen with a built-in moisturizer. For oily skin, apply astringent lotion. Then apply powder. Or, use powder compact. Avoid applying too much Every women wants to look stunning from toe to head on Karwa powder and pay more attention to the oily areas of the face. Press the powder all over the face and neck, with a Chauth Day. You can achieve glowing skin and look super gorgeous slightly damp sponge. This helps it to set and last longer. If you wish to use foundation, apply a water based by simple herbal home beauty tips, says SHAHNAZ HUSAIN one. Add one or two drops of water for a lighter cover- age. The foundation should be as close to your skin DRESS colour as possible. Then apply powder, as mentioned. New brides and young wives like to wear their bridal Highlight the cheeks with a blusher, blending well, so dress for Karva Chauth. It gives them the opportunity to that it gives the face a natural glow. look like a bride again. Today, apart from red, many For eye make-up line your lids with eye pencil or other colours are popular, like magenta or pink, or out- kajal.

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