Hindu Festivals of India - Karwa Chauth

Ahoi Ashtami

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:27:00 +0000

Ahoi Ashtami - 2012 (Nov-6-12) (अहोई अष्टमी)

अहोई अष्टमी का व्रत बच्चों के लिए रखा जाता है। इस दिन माताएँ सुबह से शाम शाम तक निर्जल व्रत रखती हैं और तारों को अर्ग देकर अपना व्रत खोलती हैं।

अहोई पूजा का कैलेंडर

Rangoli for the Festive Season

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 10:41:00 +0000

Rangoli for the Festive Season

Beautify your Homes with traditional rangoli's on this festive season.

Rangoli not only helps decorate your home but also adds a definite value to your home decorations & festivities.

This Diwali, decorate your homes with exquisite & colorful rangoli.

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:27:00 +0000

Karva Chauth Pooja Thali Decoration

The fast of Karva Chauth is loaded with intricate rituals and customs. Thus, all the arrangements for the pooja material are done prior to the festival. One of the most important parts of this Pooja is the decoration of the Pooja thali so that every material is specified in accordance with the required quantity and order. It is also important because the decorated thali forms an important component of the Karva Chauth puja. These Pooja thali are interestingly decorated by the women who observe fast to give their Pooja thali an exclusive and special look.

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:23:00 +0000

Karwachauth 2012 - 2nd Nov. 2012

Here's wishing all the ladies who will be fasting for their husbands on this Karwa Chauth - Good Luck & all the best. Hope you are blessed with the best of success in your marital lives. God bless you all.

Mehendi on Palms & Feet, Adorned with best of jewelry and clothes, its a dream for every married hindu woman, to fast for her husband's long life.

Karwachauth is a festival celebrated by all married Hindu women. They observe a fast for the long life of her husband and in the evening, they adorn bridal makeup.

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 07:09:00 +0000

Upcoming Hindu Festivals in 2012 (September to November)

30-Sep-12	Sunday	Pitr-paksha (Shradh) Begins
15-Oct-12	Monday	Pitr-paksha (Shradh) Ends
16-Oct-12	Tuesday	Navaratri Begins
21-Oct-12	Sunday	Durga Puja Begins
23-Oct-12	Tuesday	Navaratri Ends
24-Oct-12	Wednesday	Dusshera
29-Oct-12	Monday	Lakshmi Puja
3-Nov-12	Saturday	Karwa Chauth
12-Nov-12	Monday	Dhan Teras
13-Nov-12	Tuesday	Diwali
28-Nov-12	Wednesday	Kartik Poornima

Akshaya Tritiya 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:07:00 +0000

Akshaya Tritiya or Akshaya Tritiya or Akkha Teej is one of the most auspicious days for Hindus. Akshaya Tritiya 2012 date is Apr 24, 2012. Akshay Tritiya is celebrated on the third day of the first half of the Hindu month of Vaishakha (Vaishakha Shudda Tritiya or Thadiya). As per the Hindu traditions and culture, Akshay Tritiya is considered as the most significant day to perform sacred deeds (Punya Karya).

In Sanskrit, the meaning of Akshay is “never diminishing”. As the meaning says, on the day of Akshay Tritiya people never feel the dearth of happiness or bliss.

What is the Importance & Significance of Akshay Tritiya as per the Hindu Astrology?
According to the Hindu Astrology, especially in terms of Muhurtas, Akshaya Tritiya is considered as one of the three most auspicious Muhurtas (Sade-Teen Muhurat). One is the first thithi of the Chaitra Month (Ugadi Day), second is the tenth thithi of the Lunar month Ashwin or Aswayuja masam (Vijaya Dashami Day) and the third one is the third thithi of Vaishakha masa, the Akshaya Tirtiya Day. It is also referred as Unboojha Muhurat.

What is the Importance & Significance of Akshaya Tritiya as per the Hindu Mythology?
As per the Hindu religious texts and epics, the Thretha Yuga was started on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, Hindus also observe the birthday of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarantion of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.

As mentioned in the Vedas, on the day of Akshaya Trithiya, along with Lord Ganesha Sage Veda Vyasa initiated writing the great epic, Mahabharata. Puranas describe the day of Akshaya Trithiya is the birthday of Lord Parasurama (Lord Parasurama Jayanthi). The Hindu scriptures and other sacred texts explained the greatness of Lord Parasuram.

On the day of Akshaya Tirtiya, Lord Shri Balarama Jayanthi (birthday of Lord Sri Balaram) is also celebrated. Balarama was the elder brother of Lord Sri Krishna. Lord Balaram is significantly known with his weapon ‘Hal’. Lord Balarama is also referred as one of the Dasavatara, ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

What are the Rituals, Customs and Traditions of Akshay Tritiya?
Akshay Tritiya festival is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Worship of Lord Vishnu on Akshay Tritiya eradicates and removes one’s sins and makes him free from all sorrows. Puranas described that Devotees who perform Sri Maha Vishnu Puja on Akshay Tritiya may attain salvation.

In some regions, devotees keep fasts on Akshaya Tritiya. As per the Puranas, charity of food, clothes and other edible material on Akshaya Tritiya is also considered as most important ritual of the festival. There is a ritual to perform Goddess Tulsi Puja on Akshay Tritiya in some regions of India.

Significance & Importance of Festivals in India

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:06:00 +0000

In simple terms, India can be described as the soil of festivals. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that in this country, one can find frequent festivals throughout the year.One such important festival of India is Karwa Chauth. This festival is defined as one of the most important festivals among the married women.

It is mainly considered as the festival of northern India, but nowadays, each and every region of India celebrates this festival with tremendous enthusiasm and dedication. Especially the married women observe this occasion with utmost dedication and devotion. Karwa Chauth is the festival that is observed by the married women for the longevity and enormous prosperity of their husbands.

Married women observe stringent fast on this day and offer prayers to Goddess Gauri in the evening time. They break their fast only after performing the Karwa Chauth puja and after having a look at the full moon. The date of Karwa Chauth falls in the month of Kartik as per the religious Hindu calendar. It falls on the day fourth, the day of waving moon in the month of Kartik.

The festival of Karwa Chauth is celebrated nine days before the Diwali celebrations. The date of Karwa Chauth usually falls in between October and November. Karwa Chauth 2011 date is 15th of October. At the time of Karwa Chauth celebrations, there is a different festive mood in the air. This festival is considered as really auspicious as it reflects the importance of a sacred relationship that is marriage. It reflects the pure and loving relationship of a husband and a wife. Traditional clothes (that too in bright colors); accessories, jewelries and henna are some of the most important components of the Karwa Chauth festival. It is a Hindu festival and is followed by the married women very religiously as per the norms and customs of Hindu religion.

Karwachauth - 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 07:23:00 +0000

Karwachauth is a festival celebrated by all married Hindu women. They observe a fast for the long life of her husband and in the evening, they adorn bridal makeup.

Karwachauth 2012 is on Nov 02, 2012

The festival of Karwa Chauth is celebrated mostly by North India. This event is growing bigger with each passing day. In addition to the traditional items such as henna, beauty products and fashionable clothes, the demand of special eateries are also gearing up. Nowadays, Karwa Chauth is more of fun than a serious festival.

Hartalika Teej

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:26:00 +0000

Just like Karwa Chauth.. Fast Hartalika Teej is also celebrated by Indian Hindu Women to wish for a long and successful life of their Husband and Kids.

Hartalika Teej is the biggest of the various variation of Teej. Hartalika Teej falls on the third day of the first fortnight of the month of 'Bhadra'. It is a three-day festival which is celebrated by women in honor of Parvati Ma. On this day, womenfolk keep fast for long and conjugal life of their husband. Hartalika Teej fast proceeds without even drinking a drop of water. By rigorous fasting and praying to Goddess Parvati on Hartalika Teej, married women are blessed with healthy life of their husband while the unmarried girls are said to be blessed by a husband like Lord Shiva.

Hartalika Teej is on 10th Sep-2010

Hartalika Teej Vrat..

‘भाद्रस्य कजली कृष्णा शुक्ला च हरितालिका ।’

भाद्रशुक्ल ३ को ‘हरितालिका’ का व्रत किया जाता है। शास्त्रमें इस व्रतके लिये सधवा, विधवा सबको आज्ञा है ।

पुर्वी उत्तर प्रदेश , मध्य भारत , राजस्थान , बिहार और झारखण्ड आदि प्रांतो में भाद्रपद शुक्ल तृतीया को सोभाग्यावती स्त्रियाँ अपने अखंड सौभाग्यकी रक्षा के लिए बड़ी श्रद्धा , विश्वास और लगन के साथ हरितालिका व्रत ( तीज ) का उत्सव मनाती हैं ।

जिस त्याग - तपस्या और निष्ठा के साथ स्त्रियां यह व्रत रखती है वह बड़ा कठिन है । इसमे फलाहार सेवन की बात तो दूर रही , निष्ठावाली स्त्रियाँ जलतक नहीं ग्रहण करती । इस व्रत में मुख्य रूप से शिव-पार्वती तथा गणेशजी का पूजन किया जाता है ।

इस व्रत को सर्व प्रथम गिरिराजनंदिनी उमा ने किया , जिसके फल स्वरुप भगवान् शिव पतिरूपमें प्राप्त हुए थे । इस व्रत के दिन स्त्रियां वह कथा भी सुनती हैं , जो पार्वतीजी के जीवन में घटित हुई थी ।

संकल्प - ‘मम उमामहेश्वरसायुज्यसिद्धये हरितालिकाव्रतमहं करिष्ये

My Karwachauth

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:22:00 +0000

Hi Friends,

Karwachauth this year has been really great and eventful as usual. With lots of blessings from seniors & support from friends & family, we have all finally managed to have a great time. Share your experiences on how karwachauth was celebrated at your home & society. You may also send in your photographs, videos whatever you feel like sharing to me @ my email and I will surely share them online.

Thanks

Karwachauth Celebrations

noreply@blogger.com (Neha) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:37:00 +0000

The day of Karva Chauth is celebrated mostly amongst the entire North Indian community settled either in India and other parts of the world. The most important aspect of this day is that a dawn to dusk fast is undertaken by the North Indian ladies and seeing the moon they finally break the fast. The fast is unique perhaps because nowhere in the world does a wife go without food or water just to pray for the longevity and well-being of her husband.

In modern day, with all the trappings of commercialization attached, Karva Chauth, the big fasting day has turned into a full-fledged event. The event is growing bigger with each passing day. Karva Chauth celebrations promise to grow bigger with each passing year. The Halwais, the Mehendi and Churiwallis have traditionally been busy on this auspicious day. But joining the bandwagon in recent times are the beauty parlour owners, the event managers and the restaurant owners. Karwa Chauth Celebrations in India

Recipes for Karwachauth

noreply@blogger.com (Neha) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:22:00 +0000

Depending upon family tradition the menu of food is decided for Karwachauth. However, some important festivities do call for some sweets, specially homemade sweets, are a call for the day. So why not try a hand at some of the yummy & mouthwatering recipes for the day.

Shaahi Rabri
Ingredients:
- 1 kg full cream milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4-5 green cardamoms
- 12-15 almonds - blanched and shredded
- 2 tbsp pistachios - blanched and shredded
- vark (Silver leaf) - optional

Method:

Bring the milk to a boil in a wide, heavy based pan or a kadahi and add the sugar and cardamoms and simmer over low heat, till thick (at least half should evaporate)
When thick enough, add sugar and cardamoms.
Simmer some more, when done, the colour changes to a beigeish cream.
Shut off the heat. When cool, transfer on to a serving dish, put the silver leaf on the top and garnish with the nuts. Chill and serve.

Note: You can add condensed milk to it to save you from cooking too long, in which case of course, you will have to adjust the sugar also.

Besan ke Laddoo
Ingredients:
- 2 cups gram flour
- 1/2 cup ghee
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp powdered green cardamom
- few almonds-blanched, slivered, to garnish
- few pistachios-blanched, slivered, to garnish

Method:

In a kadahi, melt the ghee and add the gram flour.
Stir-fry over low heat. It takes about 30 minutes for the flour to get cooked through and it gets a pasty look when done. The colour should be a light brown.
Shut off the heat and leave the mixture to cool completely. If it does not cool entirely, it becomes moist when sugar is added.
Add the sugar and cardamom and mix well by rubbing it with your open palm against the base of the bowl. Rub till blended thoroughly.
Shape into tight, hard balls, pressing hard at every stage. At the final stage, keep it pressed a little longer, so that the surface becomes smooth.
Decorate the top of each ball with almonds and pistachios.
Can be stored for almost 4-6 weeks.

Rava Laddoo with Khoya
Ingredients:
- 200 gm rava (semolina)
- 200 gm powdered sugar
- 200 gm khoya (grated)
- 100 gm ghee
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
- 1 tbsp chopped dried fruits
- silver leaf

Method:

Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a pan and roast the rava over a low flame until golden in color.
Heat the rest of the ghee and saute the khoya till it collects together (stir continuously).
When the khoya cools, blend all the ingredients together and make small balls.
Garnish with chopped nuts and decorate with silver leaf.

Karwachauth Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Neha) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:19:00 +0000

Karva Chauth song sung by women while exchanging thalis. Karwa Chauth festival is widely celeberated by North Indian women and the puja song sung by punjabi women, while they exchange thalis seven times. They place 'Bayna / Baya' in the thali....

Karva Chauth Songs,Songs on Karwachauth,Karvachauth Puja Song,Karwa Chauth Song

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Henna for Karwachauth

noreply@blogger.com (Neha) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 07:34:00 +0000

Ritual of Henna / Mehendi for Karwachauth
Mehendi or Henna has its own significance in India. It is like a tradition in India, and women adorn their hands and feet by using Henna Mehndi. Henna Mehandi is basically a paste that is obtained from the leaves of henna plant. It has a special place in the lives of married women (suhagans) who usually apply this on the occasions like Karwa Chauth.

Henna is considered an auspicious symbol of good fortune for married women, in the Indian culture. Here is a belief in India that the women whose mehendi has left a dark color will get plenty of love and care from her husband. It is said that Henna Mehendi also gives a lesson to a new bride that she should do her best to delight her husband and in-laws, like Henna Mehendi itself do for her by providing its lovely color to her hands and feet.

Not only traditional henna, but henna tattoos also are in vogue nowadays. Fancy henna tattoos, for hands, feet, belly, face, back, upperarms wherever you ask for, are available in the markets.

Check out some of my favourite henna patterns:

Karwa Chauth Rituals

noreply@blogger.com (Neha) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:35:00 +0000

KarwaChauth is one such occasion when most married Hindu women in North India seek the blessings of God for their husband's long life. Karva Chauth is observed on the fourth day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin, which is also called Kartik according to some calendars.

Though it is a day marked with neither food nor water, this festival is quite popular among the newlyweds. A few days before the festival, markets are full of items needed for the festival. The preparations for this festival start a week in advance. Appointments are made with beauty parlours, hands are decorated with intricate mehendi designs and jewelery and cloth merchants do a brisk business.

Karwa Chauth Rituals & Festivities

Karwa Chauth Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Neha) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 06:21:00 +0000

Inspite of being one of the toughest fast, Karva Chauth is always looked forward and is welcomed by married woman with great fervor. One of the reason behind this joy and happiness is the golden chance of receiving expensive and beautiful gifts from their husbands and relatives. As this festival is considered very important for married women, all the symbols that reflects the marriage status of a woman is in high demand such as jewelery, bangles, henna, sarees, lehnga choli and many other traditional gifts.

Gifts given on the Karva Chauth day is an expression of love between man and wife. Karwa Chauth is particularly special for a newly-wed woman who gets decked up in her bridal finery. The most common gifts given on this day range from new clothes, sweets, jewelery to anything that can make a married woman feel happy and satisfied. During this festive occasion, jewelers and apparel makers get into the act, with special collections and designs at every price point imaginable. Thus, women observing a fast for the well-being of their husbands are rewarded with gifts by their husbands, mothers-in-law and other relatives. Karwa Chauth Gifts,Karwa Chauth Gifts Online,Karwa Chauth Gift Ideas,Send Karwa Chauth Gifts

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Karwa Chauth Calendar 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Neha) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 06:18:00 +0000

Karwa Chauth is evidenced with the infinite love and devotion of wife for husband and her willingness to sacrifice for his well being. The day which marks the emerald celebrations in various parts of the north India, falls on the chaturthi tithi after the full moon in the month of kartik as per the Hindu calendar. Many sacred scriptures like Dharma sindhu, Nirnay sindhu, says that the Karva Chauth fast should be observed at moonrise (chandrodaya vyapini) and poorvaviddha. It is considered to be a good sign if its tritiya viddha. If it is visible during the both days then one should take the first one but in case it is not visible on both days then it would be right to keep fast on the second day. The Karwa Chauth fast is observed on the Kartik ki Chouth which is the 4th day of the dark moon and falls 9 days before the Deepavali festival, sometime in October or November.

When is Karwachauth,Karwachauth Date 2010,Karwa Chauth Calendar,Karva Chauth 2010

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Bindi

noreply@blogger.com (Neha) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:46:00 +0000

Importance of Bindi
The bindi is one of the most fascinating of all forms of body decoration. Hindu Women attach a very great significance to this ornamental mark on their forehead, apart from its decorative importance. It is not just an ornamental decoration, it signifies their marital status. The bindi is worn on the forehead between the two eyebrows -- a spot considered a major nerve point in human body since ancient times. The bindi is also commonly known in various Indian languages as 'tika', 'pottu', 'sindoor', 'tilak', 'tilakam', and 'kumkum'.

A bindi is usually a small or a big eye-catching round mark made on the forehead as adornment. However, with changing times & fashion trends, this round-red mark has changed many faces / shapes & designs. Women not only want to go in for stone-studded Bindis, they also also on the lookout for a more designer look, with colors matching their dresses. Here are a few designer bindis, you might want to check out & adorn yourselves with, this karwachauth.

Karwa Chauth Thali

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:38:00 +0000

Karwa Chauth Pooja Thali Decoration

As we all know Karwa Chauth is celebrated with great pomp and show by all the married Hindu Ladies, in various parts of the globe. It is an auspicious festival that brings fortune as well as well being alongwith long life for the husband if his wife observes this fast with full faith.

Since Karwa Chauth Pooja has a lot of significance, an equal significance is given to the Puja Thali Decoration. Karwa Chauth is loaded & associate with a lot of intricate rituals and customs. Thus, all the arrangements for the pooja are done prior to the festival or prior to the pooja.

One of the most important part of this Pooja is decoration of the Pooja thali so that every material is specified in accordance with the required quantity and order. It is also important because the decorated thali forms an important component of the Karwa Chauth puja.

The Pooja thali are interestingly decorated by the women who observe the fast to give their Pooja thali an exclusively attractive look.

The Karva Chauth Pooja Thali, better known as Baya / Bayna, consists of the roli, vermilion, sacred water (gangajal), dry fruits like almonds, pistachios etc., earthen clay pots, diyas and different types of sweets.

The Thali may be a silver thali, brass thali or a steel thali depending. In this Thali, every Pooja material is kept separately in small bowls. During the Pooja this thali is needed while the story is being narrated. After the puja, this thali is presented to the eldest member of the family who blesses the lady i.e. the thali is given to mother-in-law by her bahu.

The Pooja Thali can be decorated in accordance to the creative skills and arts known to the decorator as there is no specific rule and regulation to how the thali should be decorated. Some people decorate thalis for puja by making ritualistic decoration like rangoli and alpana while some people opt for floral decorations with the help of flowers, leaves, color and multicolored pulses.

So go ahead & decorate your Pooja Thali / Plate as per your desire & liking.

Karwachauth Story

noreply@blogger.com (Neha) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:52:00 +0000

Karwachauth Katha in English
Story of Karwa Chauth (To be told on Karwa Chauth in the Evening, while doing pooja, before offering water to the Moon)

The Hindi Story, has been translated in English for the benefit of those who are unable to read Hindi Language. :-)

It is said that in a village, seven brothers and one sister were staying with their parents (money lender). The sister was youngest among them. That's why everybody adored her.

When she was 10 or 12 years of age they married her. After marriage on first karwa chauth, she came to her mother's house. Her mother-in-law affectionately sent sargi for her. She put mehendi/henna on her hands along with her mother and bhabhis (brother's wives) and had sargi in the morning before sunrise and observed a nirjal fast (without taking water).

By the evening the brothers got worried that how can their small sister live without food and water till night. They consulted among themselves and decided that we will create artificial moon for their sister.

Two brothers went to the forest and burnt cowdung coal. The other two brothers went home and said let's go sister the moon has risen. All her bhabhis (brother's wife's) kept quite. Sister said "let's go Bhabhi the moon has risen, lets worship the moon and offer ark (water is offered to the moon) to it. All the Bhabhis said "So early only your moon could have risen, You may go."

She was not only young but also simple hearted, she really thought everyone's moon rises separately.

She hurriedly took the pooja material to the terrace. There in the forest one brother was standing with a sieve in front of the cowdung coalfire, so from distance she thought that the moon is rising from behind bushes.

She offered her worship and ark to the moon and came back home. As soon as she started eating Puya's, she received a message from her in-laws that her husband is seriously ill suddenly.

On hearing this, the Girl's father and brothers along with her rushed to her in-law's house. There her husband was seriously ill. Every body was worried.

Hakim (auyarvedic Dr.), Doctors were called but nobody could understand the illness.

Then the family enquired from priests and Astrologers. They told them that this has happened because the girl has eaten puya's, after seeing the artificial moon i.e. before sun-rise. Now the only solution is that till the next year karwa chauth, the girl should take good care of her husband, then keep fast on Karwa Chauth and exchange karwa with Gaur Maata and make her say "le suhaagan karwa le","de suhagaan karwa de". Then her husband will be well and will live long. On hearing this, the girl decided to take good care of her husband for one year.

Next year when Karwachauth arrived, her mother sent sargi for her. As per the tradition, she did sargi and kept her fast. Her mother also sent material for baya/bayna, karwa and money.

In the evening, all married ladies dressed up wore chunari, making preparation for the pooja, she waited to exchange karwa with Gaur Maata.

When the first Gaur Maata arrived. The girl held her feet and pleaded her
"O'Gaur Maata, Please exchange karwa with me."

After lot of pleading Gaur Maata sat with her and said
"Sister of seven brothers karwa le",
"Jo bhukhi naa reh sake (who can't stay hungry) karwa le",
"Jo payasi naa reh sake (who can't stay thirsty) karwa le",
"Jo Chalni meh chaand dekhe (One who see moon in sieve) karwa le."
She begged her again and again to say "Le Suhaagan Karwa Le" Gaur Maata said, "I won't say this. My other sisters will come, you make them say." And after saying this, she went away.

After some time 2nd Gaur Maata came and she also went away saying what the earlier one had said. In this way they came one by one when the ninth Gaur Maata came, the girl was worried. When she begged her again and again and held her feet, then Gaur Maata said," when my youngest sister will come, you ask her, I will not say. My sister is scary looking but good at heart, don't let her go, make her say it."

After some time 10th Gaur maata came. She had dark complexion, had big teeth, horrible face and was wearing lot of jewelry. When she heard the small girl pleadings, she sat down with her to exchange karwa and like other Gaur Maata's said
"Sister of seven brothers karwa le",
"Jo bhukhi naa reh sake (who can't stay hungry) karwa le",
"Jo payasi naa reh sake (who can't stay thirsty) karwa le",
"Jo Chalni meh chaand dakhe (One who see moon in sieve) karwa le."

The girl fell on her feet and said "O' Mother please forgive my mistakes, Please say "Le suhaagan karwa le". If you will say this , my husband will live. I will always worship you. Please bless me.

On girls repeated pleading, Gaur Maata felt pity for her and said-Let it be so and said "Le suhaagan karwa le" and the girl said "de suhaagan karwa de". Then, the same thing was repeated by both of them in reverse order. When they said this ten times Girls husband was well again. Everybody touched Gaur Maata's feet".

Hey Gaur Maata jaise aapne saahukaar ki kanya ka suhaag diya, waise hi sabko dena

Sab Milke Bolo .. Karwa Chauth Mata ki Jai, Gaura Maata Ki Jai
Hey Chauth Maata Saubhagya, Putra aur Achal Laxmi Sabko Dena, Mangal Karna aur Kalyaan Karna !
Jai Ho Maa!!

Henna & Henna Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Neha) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:37:00 +0000

As we discussed in our earlier post, the concept of Solah Shringaar is not complete without Henna or Mehendi as is commonly known in India. All the married woman who observe the holy fast ofkarwa chauth enthusiastically throng to parlours & mehendi walas a night before observing the fast, so that the colors of henna adorn their beautiful hands & feet. Some even apply mehendi a day before, so that the color darkens and appears at its best on the final day. Just as we discuss the importance of mehendi for a married woman, why not check out some of the beautiful henna patterns or mehendi designs:

Ecstatic, Beautiful, Mehendi Designs for Beautiful Hands:-

Solah Shringaar

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:08:00 +0000

For an Indian bride or a Hindu married woman, the importance of solah (16) shringaar is utmost. Specially on her wedding day and all subsequent such ocassions & festivals when she vows to relive all the promises of her wedded life. Different kinds of beauty rituals are associated with the solah shringaar specially on her wedding, all her friends & relatives gather together to put together the bride at her best, with all the adornments consisting of solah shringaar.

Making up the bride with all her adornments consist totally of 16 different adornments, which adorn her from tip to toe and cover every part of her body. This is how she is supposed to be dressed for all the subsequent ocassions after her marriage, specially each Karwa Chauth.

Dressing up for karwachauth, reminds every woman of her wedding day, as this is one day when she dresses up in her wedding attire (i.e. the dress which she wore for her marriage) which can be either her bridal lehenga choli or her bridal saree. The Solah Shringaar consists of the following adornments:-

Bindi
Sindoor
Maangteeka
Anjana / Kajal
Nath / Nose Ring (attached with Gold Chain)
Haar / Necklace / Mangalsootra
Karn Phool / Earrings
Henna / Mehendi (Hand & Feet)
Choodiyan / Bangles (Maroon or Green Color)
Baajuband / Arm Band
Aarsi / Thumb Ring / Hath Phool (a bracelet which has rings for all 4 fingers as well as thumb)
Keshapasharachana / Hairdo (Braid with Flowers for an accentuated look)
Kamarband / Waist band
Payal & Bichuas (Anklets & Toe rings in Silver Metal)
Itar / Perfume
Bridal Dress (Bridal Lehenga Choli / Bridal Saree or Bridal Salwar Kameez)

Karwa Chauth Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:36:00 +0000

Karwa Chauth Songs / Geet

As is the ritual, for every pooja their is an arti which is sung along to please the Lords. For Karwa Chauth Pooja also, ladies sing along a song for each completed ritual, be it after the pooja & while exchanging their thalis & karwas or while offering water (jal) to the 'moon'.

Karwachauth ke Geet (Songs for Karwa Chauth)

After the Pooja, the ladies (performing the pooja) exchange their thalis and karwaas (karwadas), during this time, they sing this song.

Once the moon rises, following song is sung while offering water (jal) to moon / Chandrama ko ark dete samay ka gana:-

First Karwa Chauth

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:10:00 +0000

Karwa Chauth is of great importance for married Hindu women and this festival is also a big occasion for Newly married women, who are fasting for the 1st time, i.e. their first Karwa Chauth Fast. It is by far the most important fast for her & also for her family members. All relatives & immediate family members give a lot of importance to the new bride who is observing her 1st karwa chauth fast. She is showered with lots of gifts & blessings for a happy & successful married life. Gifts pour in from her maternal (mayka) side as well as in-laws (sasural).

Sargi
As is the tradition with many Hindu families, the ladies observing fast have to wake up early morning before sun-rise and have a lavish / sumptuous meal so that all day she is able to spend without food & water. This meal is known as Sargi. The 1st sargi is prepared by the Mother-in-law and is very elaborate which includes sweets, sevaiyan and other delighful delicacies. Mother-in-law blesses her daughter-in-law who is observing karwa chauth with blessings like “Sada Suhagan Raho”, meaning “May you be blessed with a happy & blissful married life”. She also gifts her with Sarees, Jewelry & Other Suhaag items (viz.. Sindoor, Bangles, Bindi, Bichue, Payal / Anklets).

Baya / Bayna
Just like Mother-in-law gifts various items in the form of Sargi, the daughter-in-law presents her mother-in-law with Baya or Bayna. When the girl is observing her 1st karwa Chauth, this Baya or Bayna come from her Mother's Home (Mayka). The 1st bayna usually consists of salted mathris, dry-fruits, sweets and gifts for all close family members. This Bayna is a little more special when the daughter is observing her first Karva Chauth. Mothers of newly wed daughters bring gifts for all her family members. Some utensils are also included in the baya which are to be distributed amongst women who join the newly-wed on her first Karva Chauth Puja.

Maa Parvati ki Aarti

noreply@blogger.com (Natasha) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:44:00 +0000

Maa Parvati Ki Aarti.. Lyrics

Jay Pārvati Mātā, Maiyā Jay Pārvati Mātā.,
Brahm Sanātan Devī, Shubh Phal Kī Dātā.
Om Jay…

Arikul Padm Vināsani, Jay Sevak Trātā,
Jag Jīvan Jagdambā, Harihar Gun Gātā
Om Jay…

Singh Ko Vāhan Sāje, Kundal Hai Sāthā.
Dev Vadhū Jaha Gāvat, Nritya Karat Tā Thā.
Om Jay…

Satyug Shīl Susundar, Nām Sati Kahlātā.
Hemānchal Ghar Janmī, Sakhiyan Rangrātā.
Om Jay…

Shumbh Nishumbh Vidāre, Hemānchal Syātā.
Sahas Bhujā Tanu Dharike, Chakr Liyo Hāthā.
Om Jay…

Srishtī Rūp Tū Hī Jananī, Shiv Sang Rangrātā.
Nandī Bhrangī Been Lahī, Sārā Madmātā.
Om Jay…

Devan Araj Karat Ham, Chit Ko Lātā.
Gavat De De Tālī, Man Mein Rangrātā.
Om Jay…

Shri Pratāp Ārati Maiyā Kī, Jo Koi Gātā.
Sadā Sukhī Nit Rahtā, Such Sampatī Pātā.
Om Jay… !