Karva Chauth Special Gifts in appreciation of Married Women

The festival of Karva Chauth is celebrated on the fourth day of the new moon in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik. On this occasion married Hindu women observes a ritual fast for the longevity, well-being and prosperity of their husbands. The fast is not to be broken until the moon is sighted at night.

Karva Chauth is celebrated 9 days prior to Diwali. It is celebrated on 'Kartik ki chauth', i.e., on the fourth day of the new moon in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik.  The term ' Karva Chauth' comes from ‘Karva’ which is an earthen pot with a spout and “chauth” meaning the “fourth day.”  The earthen pot is a symbol of peace and prosperity, and it is essential for the rituals.

On this occasion married Hindu women observes a ritual fast for the longevity, well-being and prosperity of their husbands. It is the most important and difficult fast observed in Indian traditions. Unmarried women, widows, and spinsters are barred from observing these fast and only married women are allowed to perform the rituals. Following a bath early in the morning, before dawn, the woman adorns new clothes and partakes of a meal of very select grains and fruit. For the remainder of the day, women are bound to abstain from food; they keep a very strict fast and do not take even a drop of water. The fast is ended only when the moon comes in sight. At night when the moon appears, women break their fast after offering water to the moon. In urban areas, children are usually sent to the roof-tops to see if the moon is visible. When the moon is sighted, the news spreads quickly through the neighborhood. Women are seen making their way to the rooftop, where an offering of water and flowers renders the worship complete.

In the evening, the women dress up in special clothes and new brides often wear their bridal costumes.  Mehendi or henna patterns especially on the hands and decorative 'bindis' on the forehead are a must for every woman who takes part in this celebration. All the women from the neighborhood gather in groups and narrate mythological stories centered on Karva Chauth and its significance. In short, the fast is not to be broken until the moon is sighted at night, and an elderly woman in the house is supposed to narrate the story of Karva Chauth before the fast is terminated.

The fast of Karva Chauth is a precursor to the fun and festivities and associated with Diwali- one of the biggest festivals of the country. Another important part of the traditions is the worship of Shiva, Parvati and their son Kartikeya along with the 10 'karvas or earthen pots filled with sweets. The Karvas are then presented to daughters and sisters along with gifts.

Indian women are naturally devoted to their husbands and they perform the fast and rituals willingly and with lots of enthusiasm. It is also the custom for the husbands to present their wives on the occasion.  People usually go for the best karva chauth special gift for wife as these gifts are a mark of appreciation for their wives who underwent such a difficult fast for them.  Nowadays with the rise numerous online gift portals a lot of unique and special gift ideas for wife on karva chauth can be found online.

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