Be it the neighbourhood bahus or star daughters-in law, the glitz and glamour of Karva Chauth spares none. While the streets are chock-a-block with vendors trying to sell glass bangles, decorative sieves and earthen pots, top-end markets are wooing willing takers with designer lehengas, costume jewellery and a range of swanky Karva Chauth knick-knacks.
To be celebrated on October 19 this year, this festival is steeped in history. Observed in the northern and north-western parts of India, this day was originally meant for women to fraternise with other women. During the Mughal rule, men would often go off for military campaigns, leaving their wives and children behind. At this juncture, the Hindu women began keeping a fast, praying for the safe return of their husbands. And so began Karva Chauth. It soon turned into a social event, where women began to socialise with each other, prepare special meals and come out in full regalia.
There are other explanations as well. The festival overlaps with the wheat-sowing season. One of the rituals include storing wheat in big earthen pots, also known as karvas. So the fast might have begun as a prayer for a good harvest in the predominantly wheat-eating regions of India.
However, whatever be its origins, Karva Chauth today has come to signify a high degree of commercialisation. Traditions, particularly religious, often sit well with business — and this special day of fasting, regularly glamourised in Bollywood, is no exception.
In fact, a number of mehendi artists travel from their villages to Delhi around this time to make a little extra money. Ratan Lal, one such artist who has come all the way from Alwar in Rajasthan to do business in Noida's bustling Atta market, says, "Karva Chauth gives us a chance to make quick money, otherwise who applies mehendi and alta these days! By late evening tomorrow, we will start charging Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 for each hand, and we will still have enough customers." Alta is a red dye women apply on the border of their feet during festivals.
Mehendi prices, however, range from Rs 100 a hand to as high as Rs 1,000, depending on the intricacy of the design.
There are other roadside vendors too — those selling earthen pots and sieves, used for rituals on the occasion. A sieve decorated with a golden lace comes for Rs 40 and an earthen pot can be had for Rs 50. Both are used for rituals But business is not too brisk for these small-time sellers. Seema Kumari, who sells her humble earthenware in Atta market, says, "People seem to have lost interest in simple customs. We get just 30 to 40 customers a day. Most people prefer to buy expensive, ornamental stuff from high-end shops.”
The earthen pots may have lost their market, but the ubiquitous glass bangles continue to hold sway. In fact, a few vendors didn't want to get clicked, as they wanted their designs to remain exclusive, meant only for customers. The prices vary from Rs 50 to Rs 150 a dozen. The heavier, more ornate bangles range from Rs 100 to Rs 500 for a set of four.
Many feel the festival has become overcommercialised. Thirty-five-year-old Sakshi Malhotra from Sector 25, who comes to Atta market every year for Karva Chauth shopping, says, "It's become a race, really. It's about who's wearing the best lehenga and who's got the most expensive gift. The whole thing has lost its meaning for me. It's just a flaunt-it-all fest now."
Whatever you choose to be — the best bride in town or not — the day will continue to hold a special place for women across northern India.
