Karva Chauth falls about nine days before Diwali. It is the most important fast observed by Hindu women of North India. On this day married Hindu women offer prayers seeking the welfare, prosperity, and a long life of their husbands.,,
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.Henna or Mehndi is considered to be auspicious for married women, and is a necessary part of the Karva Chauth ritual. It is believed that married woman who get dark color from mehendi will get a loads of love and caring from her groom. It also denotes prosperity and good luck. Women get intricate henna designs applied on their hands before they get down to the actual rituals. Most traditional henna patterns consist of very simple shapes - circles, triangles and lines are the most basic. These shapes can be combined to create a very intricate pattern and a very beautiful henna designs on the palm and feet of women.
For Karva-Chouth, women would buy new Karvas (clay pots) and paint them on the outside with beautiful designs. Inside, they would put bangles, candy and other sweets, make-up items and even clothes. The women (god-friends or god-sisters) then would visit each other on the day of Karva-Chouth and exchange these Karvas. Season-wise, in terms of harvest, it is a good time to exchange the gifts any way.
So Karva Chouth is basically once a year occasion to renew and celebrate this relationship ,between go,d-sisters. It,,, had a tremend,ous social and cul,tural significance once ,when world lacked the ,ways to com,municat,e or move ar,ound easily
