The Significance Of Karwa Chauth

The celebration of eternal love, Karwa Chauth traditionally symbolizes martial auspiciousness or Suhaag. It is a day when married women of all ages, bask in the glory of love and devotion for their husbands and personify Solah Shringaar (the sixteen arts of beauty and adornment) by adorning themselves like newlywed brides. The word ‘Karwa Chauth’ originates from two words- ‘Karwa’, means an Earthern pot and ‘Chauth’, which means the 4^th day of the holy month of Kartik, the moon of which beams with auspicious rays. Read on to know all about the significance of Karwa Chauth.

Why We Celebrate Karwa Chauth?

The festival of Karwa Chauth originated from the medieval history of India, when men were at war and wives prayed for their safe journey and long lives. In the northern part of India, women fast throughout the day, after indulging in scrumptious delights of Sargi– a meal at the break of dawn. The fast is broken after worshipping the moon, by offering Arka (water) and filtering its blessings of happiness and love, with a sieve. The husband offers the same water to the wife to drink, followed by an evening meal. Ayurveda suggests indulging in lighter meals on the day of Karwa Chauth, as it is a wonderful time for detoxification.

Rituals of Karwa Chauth

An integral part of Karwa Chauth celebration is the evening Puja and Katha, followed by fraternizing amongst married women, as a symbol of friendship, exchanging gossip and sharing secret beauty rituals. After the evening Pooja, women offer Baayna (a mélange of sweets, fruits, and gifts) to the Divine (Mansana) and hand these over to their mother-in-law. In most homes, the mother-in-law also passes her blessings through gifts of ‘Solah Shringar’ to her daughter-in-law. Our Soundarya Lakshmi Gift Box, which is a symbol of the Chaitanya of Goddess Lakshmi could channelize these blessings beautifully.

An alternative ritual conducted in homes of Uttarakhand is prayer of Gaur Mata (the earth). Here, celebrants take some soil, sprinkle water, and then decorate it with Kumkum, treating it as a manifestation of the fertile Mother Earth. Gaur Mata is also synonymous with the Goddess Parvathi, in some places. In Rajasthan, there is a folklore that the fasting woman is asked after drinking water from her husband’s hand- “Dhapi ki Ni Dhapi?” (are you satiated?), to which she responds, “Jal se Dhapi, Suhaag se na Dhapi” (I am satiated by water, but not from [love of] my husband). This folktale is the summary of the myriad emotions of love and adoration that Karwa Chauth epitomizes.

Nowadays, young couples are re-inventing this traditional fast by either fasting together or the husband taking an extra effort to make this day memorable for his wife, as an emblem of friendship, togetherness, and affection.

Beauty Regime For Karwa Chauth

Skincare

• A few days before Karwa Chauth, indulge in richer products such as the Forest Essentials Tejasvi Emulsion and masks such as the Forest Essentials Madhulika Honey Lep and Sundari Ayurveda Sheet Mask.
• A night before the festival, cleanse your skin with the Forest Essentials Roop Nikhaar Gulab and follow with the Ojas Glow Replenishing Night Beauty Balm, to wake up with glowing skin.
• We recommend using our Deeply Nourishing Facial Cleansing Paste made from Almond, Pistachios & Honey to start the beauty ritual for this special day. Follow with the Panchpushp Facial Tonic Mist, the award-winning Sanjeevani Elixir and the most-loved Soundarya Radiance Cream.

Bodycare & Haircare

• We recommend using Forest Essentials Relaxing Chandan & Camphor Body Massage Oil for Abhyagam (body massage) and Bhringraj Oil for a head massage on the day before, to prepare yourself for the day of celebration.
• Use the Forest Essentials Cane Sugar & Tamarind Body Polisher followed by the Moisture Replenishing Bath & Shower Oil of your favorite fragrance. To evoke the decadent goddess in you, use our natural Body mists.
• If you are a little pressed for time, use our Mashobra Honey & Vanilla Silkening Shower Wash and our luxurious Soundarya Ultra-Rich Body Lotion to leave the skin hydrated, porcelain smooth and scented. The Amla Honey & Mulethi Hair Cleanser and Conditioner would be a great addition to the day’s routine for soft and silky hair.