Markets in the state capital were hummed with activities a day before Karvachauth, which is observed by women on the ‘Krishnapaksh’ in the month of Karthik, for the long living of their husbands. Women were seen busy in purchase of Karva and Suhag materials, while, the Mehandi and beauty parlours made a handsome business.
At Golbazar, leena Yadav, who was celebrating Karvachauth for the first time, said that she came there to purchase Karva pooja materials. Reema Goyal, who was there to purchase Karva of Sugar, said she would observe fast tomorrow. After the fasting, who would offer worship, she added.
Pushpalata Sahu said that Karvachauth is celebrated in Chhattisgarh also. Elders in her family used to observe this festival for years, she said.
Kavita Silwar, who was found busy in preparation for Karvachauth said on Monday evening her mother-in-law would give her ‘Sargee’. Before sunrise, after having ‘Choorma Dahi’ at the hands of her mother-in-law, show would observe fast the whole day and after seeing the moon in the evening, break the fast after drinking water at the hands of husband, she said.
Kavita said that Karvachauth is such a festival that fills sweetness in the mother-in-law – daughter-in-law relations. The Sargee given by the mother-in-law and feeding of Dahi at her hand on the day of fasting, increase the love between the two, she added.
The married women assemble at one place and perform pooja, tell stories and after seeing the moon, drink water at the hands of husbands and then break the fast. On the day of Karvachauth, it is must for them to adorn the ‘Chunri’ of their marriage along with ‘Solah Sringar’.
Seema Chandrakar said though Punjabi and Marwadi women specially observe Karvachauth, because of the increasing effect of media, it has been assimilated in the culture. On the day of ‘Teej’ women keep themselves away from husbands, whereas, on Karvachauth, they stay close to husbands. Because of that the practice of Karvachauth increases day by day. As henna has importance in the celebration of Karvachauth, women thronged the Mehandi Parlours at Chhottapara.