I visited India, mainly to see one of the most popularly celebrated festival-Diwali, but luckily I got acquainted with another religious festival that holds special place in the hearts of Hindu married women. Yes! I am talking about " Karwa Chauth". It was relatively a new word for me and a very new occasion.Through sources, I came to know that Karwa Chauth falls about nine days before Diwali. On this day married Hindu women offer prayers seeking the welfare of their husbands.

Since I was living with Meenakshi, my Indian friend, I happened to see some of the special moments shared by her parents. Meenu or Meenakshi , a good friend of mine, was posted in US with me, about 3 years back. Since we were working on the same project, we became good friends. But due to some personal problems, she had to come back to India.

Meenu's mother was a motherly figure for me in India. She detailed me that Karwa Chauth is a fast undertaken by married hindu women who offers prayers seeking the welfare, prosperity, well being of their husbands.

On the very day, Meenu' s mom got up early in the morning ( around 4 am.). She had her meal early in the morning. " Aunty! why did you had your meal so early in the morning?" I asked. "Coz, child! for the rest of the day, I won't consume any food or water" She replied. She told me that the fast is very difficult to observe as it starts before sunrise and ends only after offering prayers and worshipping the moon, which usually rises at about 8.45 p.m. No food or water is to be taken after 4 a.m. or after sunrise. The fast is broken once the moon is sighted and special rituals and prayers marking the day have been offered.

" Wow! You people keep fast for your husbands" I exclaimed. This was something very new to me. " Yep! some times for our boyfriend!" sighed Meenakshi and she laughed.

As I observed, many females gathered on the very evening, dress up in special clothes. New brides wear their bridal outfits and others wear outfits woven with gold. Bangles and other jewellery are worn and special henna patterns are applied on the hands.

In conversation with Meenu, I came to know that on Karwa- Chauth the fasting women from neighborhood, usually gather in a group and narrate mythological stories illustrating the importance of fasting on Karwa Chauth. After the moon rises, the women try to spot its reflection in water. Then, they pray for their husband's safety and long life, and finally break their fast.

" You know! What Karwa Chauth have really commercialized now. Earlier, it is used to be very personal but due to liberlization, every thing in India has commercialized but emotions haven't changed. The Indian women feels the same for their husbands till the end of their life. Look at my parents!" Meenu pointed.