Residens of Supertech Ecociti, Sector 137, Noida, pose for a photo.
Who hasn’t heard about Karva Chauth! Not only is it one of the festivals that Hindu women observe for the safety and longevity of their husbands, but it is also an opportunity for them to socialise and fraternise with other women. No wonder most of us have heard countless references to it, especially in our movies. As the festival draws to a close and Noida gets soaked in the festive spirit, we decided to take a look at how women in Noida observed the day and how the festival brought the community closer. Here are some pictures from a few societies in the city:
A COMMUNITY AFFAIR: Women sit in cirlces at the community centre in Sector 50 to observe the day. They say that celebrating in a group is important as there are some rituals, such as passing the thali (plate) , which cannot be performed alone. The RWA also contributed to the event by arranging for mehndi artists. Women also took part in a competition, organised by the RWA to spice things up, where they were judged on their looks, smile and dresses.
KATHAS OF KARVA CHAUTH: Women assemble at a house in Sector 31 to observe the festival as a pandit (priest) shares with them stories or Kathas related to the festival. There are several folklores around Karva Chauth. In Hindu mythology, there is the story of Queen Veeravati who observes fasts to bring her husband back to life. Another story says that Draupadi observed the fast when one of her five husbands, Arjuna, went to the Nilgiris for penance. Arjuna and Draupadi are characters from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. In other stories, Karva Chauth is observed to celebrate Karva and Savitri's devotion to their respective husbands. Karva and Savitri are characters in Hindu mythology.
WHEN THE MOON RISES: Women perform a ritual after seeing the moon at a house in Sector 47. On Karva Chauth, women who are married or those who are old enough to get married fast from sunrise to moonrise for their husbands or husbands-to-be. They do not even drink water during the fast and it is only with moonrise that they break their fast. The festival is popular in north and north-western parts of India, especially in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The light in the photo is from a vapour lamp at the venue.
TRADITION AT MODERNE: Women sit in circles with their karvas kept in front and pass thalis (plates) at the club house in Mahagun Moderne, a residential society in Sector 78. Karva is a small pitcher used in the puja that is given as charity. Chauth means fourth and it refers to the fact that the festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the Hindu lunisolar calender month of Kartik.
WITH A SPIRIT OF TOGETHERNESS: Women perform rituals at Prateek Laurel, a residential society in Sector 120. As they prepare to make offerings to the moon, they inevitably interact, help each other and form bonds that keep them closer. Offerings are made to the moon after moonrise and before breaking the fast. Lord Shiva, goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya are worshipped.
DIVINE IN THE DIYAS: As women carry on with the rituals at Prateek Wisteria, a residential society in Sector 76, diyas (small cup-shaped lamps made of baked clay) spread positivity and set the atmosphere for the festival. Besides allowing women to socialise with one another, Karva Chauth also gives an opportunity to get closer to their in-laws. The rituals involve offering karvas to mother-in-laws.
With so many aspects to this festival, it comes as no surprise that women across societies in Noida observed the day with both devotion and enthusiasm.
