(A festival that oscillates between love, faith, and equality – where there is tradition and also the knock of change.)
Dr Priyanka Saurabh
Karwa Chauth is a popular Indian festival where married women observe a waterless fast for the long life of their husbands. While its roots lie in love and devotion, in modern society the festival has evolved into one of equality and partnership. Many men now also observe the fast, reflecting that Karwa Chauth is not merely a symbol of a husband’s longevity, but a celebration of mutual respect, love, and trust between partners. A tradition is meaningful only when it reflects both its spirit and its time.
Every year, on the Chaturthi of the month of Kartik, as the evening sun sets, well-dressed women across India gaze at the moon, holding plates adorned with lamps, sieves, and karwa (water pots). Red bindis brighten their foreheads, mehndi decorates their hands, and anticipation fills the air. “Has the moon risen?” echoes from one courtyard to another. This scene captures the beauty of Indian culture and reflects its deep social meanings.
Karwa Chauth is celebrated with great enthusiasm in North India, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. On this day, married women fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying for their husbands’ long life. Traditionally, this fast was meant to ensure the stability and longevity of marriage. After a day of austerity, when the moon rises, the wife breaks her fast by looking at her husband’s face through a sieve.
But a question persists—does this fast represent pure love and faith, or does it carry within it the roots of patriarchy?
In Indian society, a woman’s identity has long been tied to her marriage—her happiness, reputation, and even existence often defined by her husband. His life was seen as her blessing, his death as her curse. Festivals like Karwa Chauth thus became symbolic of a woman’s dedication, sacrifice, and tolerance. Yet we must ask: is this a celebration of love or a cultural justification for linking a woman’s worth to her husband’s life?
For today’s educated women, the reasons for observing Karwa Chauth often differ from those of the past. Many see it as a symbol of love, companionship, and emotional connection. The growing number of men who now fast alongside their wives marks a welcome change. However, Karwa Chauth has also become increasingly commercialized—a glamorous cultural event shaped by TV serials, films, and social media, where the essence of the tradition risks being lost.
Historically, Karwa Chauth was a communal festival that brought women together. They would visit one another, fill earthen pots with water, and sing traditional songs like “Karwa Chauth ka vrat hai bhai, mat bhooliyo Karwa lana.” It was a celebration of sisterhood and shared strength. Today, the simplicity of those gatherings has been replaced by a display of luxury—gold pots, expensive jewelry, designer sarees, and curated social media reels. Adornment has overshadowed devotion.
Still, dismissing such traditions as superstition would be unfair. Every culture has its soul, and the spirit of Karwa Chauth—love, devotion, and faith—cannot be ignored. What is needed is a modern interpretation that aligns with equality, freedom, and mutual respect. If a wife fasts for her husband’s well-being, the husband should equally wish for his wife’s health and happiness. That reciprocity represents true love.
The religious or mythological origins of Karwa Chauth are not clearly established. “Karwa” means an earthen pot symbolizing water, and “Chauth” means the fourth day. Some scholars suggest that the fast originated among military families—wives fasting for the safe return of their husbands from war. Others see it as a means of social bonding among women. In essence, its roots lie as much in community and emotional solidarity as in marital devotion.
In the modern context, Karwa Chauth represents both love and social pressure. On one side, it is a beautiful expression of commitment; on the other, it can serve as a reminder of gender expectations. This duality prompts reflection—does love demand sacrifice? Is loyalty proven only through fasting? Has this festival transformed into a celebration of equality, or does it still echo patriarchal norms?
Over time, however, the festival’s form has changed. Today, many husbands also observe the fast, and many couples celebrate it as a ritual of togetherness. This evolution shows society’s gradual movement toward equality. The essence of the festival remains love, but its meaning now includes shared respect and partnership.
The challenge is to balance tradition with modern values. Karwa Chauth should not be reduced to mere ritual or spectacle. It should be a celebration of sincere love, devotion, and emotional connection—free from social compulsion. Every woman should have the freedom to choose whether to fast or not, for love is measured not by sacrifice but by mutual respect and understanding.
If this festival allows couples to reflect on their relationship, appreciate each other’s sacrifices, and deepen their bond, then Karwa Chauth will truly fulfill its purpose. Ultimately, it is not just a festival for a husband’s long life, but a symbol of stability, sensitivity, and the enduring strength of two souls united in love.
(Dr Priyanka Saurabh
Research Scholar in Political Science, Poet, Freelance Journalist, and Columnist
Ubba Bhawan, Aryanagar, Hisar (Haryana) – 127045)
