Karva Chauth originated as a social and seasonal festival, but
somewhere down the line the festival deviated from its original form.
The word Karva Chauth, is composed of Karva - meaning a clay pot - and
Chauth (from char meaning four) corresponding to the fourth day after
the Full Moon in Kartik month (of Hindu calendar) following the Autumnal
Equinox.
This time of the year is just after the harvest of Kharif (monsoon)
crops and people are usually in a festive mood. They like to remember
and meet their relatives and friends, and exchange gifts with them.
Diwali is a similar seasonal festival - in addition to having religious
significance - that is nine days after Karva Chauth.
The idea behind Karwa Chauth is very sweet and noble. In olden days
girls were married at a very early age and used to go and live with
their in-laws in other (often very remote) villages. Everyone would be a
stranger there for the new bride. If she had any problems with her
husband or in-laws, she would have no one to talk to or seek support
from. Modes of communication/transport were not very developed and hence
it was not easy for her to approach her parents and relatives.
Thus the custom started that, at the time of marriage, when bride would
reach her in-laws, she would befriend another woman (of similar age)
there who would be her friend (kangan-saheli) or sister (dharam-behn)
for life. It would be like god-friends or god-sisters. Their friendship
would be sanctified through a small Hindu ceremony right during the
marriage.
Once the bride and this woman had become god-friends or god-sisters,
they would remain so throughout their lives.. They would also treat each
other like real sisters. During any difficulty later in life, involving
even the husband or in-laws, these women would be able to confidently
talk or seek help from each other.
Thus Karva Chauth started as a festival to celebrate this friendship
(relationship) between the once-brides and their god-friends
(god-sisters). Praying and fasting for the sake of husband came later
and is secondary. It was probably added, along with other mythical
tales, to enhance the festival. In any case, husband would always be
associated with this festival, because the day on which this holy
friendship between two god-sisters started was essentially the day of
bride's marriage to him. Thus praying and fasting for husband by his
wife during a celebration of her relationship with the god-friend would
be quite logical.
