Divine Vastu Tips
for ‘Karwa Chauth’ 2013
(October
22, 2013)
‘Karwa Chauth’ in 2013 will be celebrated on 22nd
October. It is an annual Hindu festival where married women
observe fast for the well-being and long life of their husband. The day falls
on the fourth day of Kartik month in Hindu calendar, just nine days before
Diwali. In western calendar, the festival generally falls in the months of
October and November. The tradition of observing fast on Karwa Chauth is keenly
followed by married women with much fervor and gaiety. For long life and
wellbeing of husbands, wives passionately observe this auspicious strict fast
and abstain from food and water for the whole day. The fasting ritual during
Karwa Chauth signifies the unending love, respect and devotion of a wife
towards her husband. They specially pray to Goddess Gauri (Parvati) for the
well-being of their husband. These festivities are aimed towards strengthening
the bond between a husband and a wife. Unmarried girls observe this fast for
the desired husbands or for the fiancé.
‘Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha’:
Though
there are many legendary stories connected with this festival but the most
popular one goes that a long time ago, a merchant had seven sons and one
daughter. His daughter was married and visited her maternal home for
celebrating Karwa Chauth with her mother and sister-in-laws. When her brothers
were having meals at night, they asked their sister to also join the dinner.
But sister replied "brother, moon is yet not visible, so I'll have my
dinner after looking at moon". Brothers were worried about the health of
their sister. Thus, after hearing response of sister, brothers went out in
colony, ignited fire, and fixed a round sieve in front of the light of that
fire. They made an illusion that the light coming out from sieve is light of moon.
Sister couldn't understand deceive of brothers and offered water to illusion of
moon thinking it was the real moon. However, her sister–in-laws knew that false
of their husbands and also told about this cheat to their sister, but she
ignored and proceeded further for completion of Karwa Chauth Vrat and ate meals
without looking at the real moon in sky. This of her deed made Lord Ganesha and
Goddess Karwa completely unhappy. And due to her false, her husband soon met to
death. She realized and repented for her mistake and prayed Lord Ganesha to
forgive her. In return, she was asked to observe Karwa Chauth Vrat carefully
next year which was the only way to find her husband alive. The story shows
that if women are bent on her devotion and love towards her husband, she will
be blessed with a wonderful married life, no matter how many tests and
hardships she might endure. Likewise, married women observe Karwa Chauth fast
every year with depth of their heart and with complete devotion for long life,
prosperity and goodwill of their husband.
Preparations for ‘Karwa Chauth Vrat’ and Rituals of
the Pooja:
On Karwa
Chauth day, ladies wake up early in the morning and take bath after their daily
routine. A small wooden platform is established at North–East corner of home
and is wrapped with red piece of cloth. Image of Karwa Chauth and idols of Lord
Ganesha and Shiv-Parvati are established on wooden platform. Karwa Chauth
calendar can also be purchased from market. Pooja thali is prepared keeping
‘roli’, ‘kumkum’, ‘chandan’, raw rice, ‘diya’ (lamp), flowers, and
‘dhoop-batti’. One ‘Karwa’ (clay pot) is filled with water and kept near image
of ‘Karwa Mata’ on the wooden platform. Some women also fill Karwa with wheat.
Mouth of the Karwa is covered with a small clay plate and kept sugar with money
or a coin on it. Four ‘Chini Karwa’ (sugar pots) are kept at another corner of
wooden platform. ‘Chini Karwa’ are sent by in-laws of married women. Cosmetics,
Sari or money is also kept near wooden place for giving it to their
mother-in-law after the completion of fast. Beautiful colorful ‘rangoli’ is
also crafted surrounding the wooden platform. First Pooja (worship) is offered
to Lord Ganesha and oath of fasting is taken.
Breakfast:
The fast
starts with a festive breakfast (‘Sargi’) which is to be had early in the
morning before sunrise (4a.m.). The ‘Sargi’ may be consist of COCONUT, SAVIYA,
MITHAI, ALMONDS, FENIS, JALEBI, and milk. It is very important to the newly wed
girls/women as they get a gift pack from their home (mother’s side). The gift
pack is traditionally known as “Baya” which contains almonds, ‘matthis’ and
some gifts. The ‘Baya’ should reach the girl’s house before evening. It is a
traditional that the ‘Sargi’ should be sent or given to the woman by her
mother-in-law.
Henna:
Henna or
Mehandi is said to be auspicious for a married woman, and is an important part
of the Karwa Chauth ritual. However, its more auspicious if the woman gets
henna designs applied on her hands a night before.
Dressing Up:
Women
should be dressed up in a traditional way with jewelry and cosmetics similar to
that of the bridal make-up (‘16 Shringaar’ namely Bindi, Sindoor (Vermilion),
Maang-Teeka/Mangal-Sutra, Kaajal, Nath or Nose Ring, Haar or Necklace, Ear
Rings, Mehandi or Henna, Bangles, Armlets, Rings, Hair style, Waist Band,
Paayal or Anklet, Itra or Special Fragrance & Bridal Dress). However, it’s
very important to avoid dull colors on this day; bright, positive colors are
the order of the day!
The ‘Pooja’:
During the
Karwa Chauth ritual (evening), women sit in a circle with idol of Goddess
‘Gauri’ (made of earth & cow dunk or an idol of Goddess Parvati) along with
Karwa in the center. The Karwa is placed next to the idol, on a hoisted
platform. Then, every woman must apply ‘tilak’ on the idol to seek her
blessings and pray for a blissfully long married life. Thereafter, an older
woman of the group should recite the Karwa Chauth Katha (story), once the story
is over; other women must rotate their ‘thalis’, reciting the Karwa Chauth
song.
Once the
Pooja is over women are allowed to have tea or a glass of water. They then have
to wait for the Moon to come out, to break the fast. Remember, fasting women
cannot eat anything.
Breaking the ‘Karwa Chauth’ Fast:
The women
await the rising of the moon. Once the moon is visible, a fasting woman, with
her husband nearby, view the reflection of the moon in a vessel filled with
water, through a sieve, or through a cloth or ‘dupatta’. Then water is offered
to the Moon, to secure its blessings. She then turns to her husband and views
his face indirectly in the same manner and then receiving the first bite of
food and water from the husband. In some regions, the woman says a brief prayer
asking for her husband's life. It is believed that at this stage, spiritually
strengthened by her fast, the woman can successfully confront and defeat death.
Vastu Perspective and ‘Karwa Chauth’:
In Nature,
all five elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space) are in balance. Vastu
Shastra is the architectural science that can create maximum harmony in a
relationship through a unique process of balancing the five elements in your
home. It allows for the beneficial energy to be readily available to support
your desire for peace, happiness, and fulfillment.
Each of
the five elements is associated with a direction and each direction has a
particular influence on us. Different aspects of relationships are most
optimally supported in a specific direction. When there is stress caused by
finances, sexual imbalances, overwork, inability to communicate, children, and
health challenges, relationships do not thrive. The North-East area
of your residence is associated with the Water Element and can influence the
growth of your relationships. The South-East area of your home is
associated with the Fire Element. The South-East influences the
energy needed to have lively relationships due to the Fire Element.
The South-West area of your residence is associated with the Earth
Element. The South-West influences the stability of your relationships. The
North-West area of your home is associated with the Air Element. The North-West
influences the ability to create and communicate. The Central
area (Brahmasthan) of a residence is associated with the Space Element. If
this area is open there will be good communication in relationships. If there
is clutter, restroom, a kitchen or no open space in the central area of a home,
there will be disagreements.
According to Divine Vastu, if the fast is kept
correctly, it not only benefits the marriage but also brings prosperity for the
whole family. Follow these Divine Vastu tips for ‘Karwa Chauth Pooja’ to make
the ritual more fruitful:
1. While eating ‘Sargi’ or ‘Baya’ in the early morning (4
a.m.) try to sit in North-East direction to get positive cosmic energy and
blessings of planet Jupiter.
2. Between 12p.m. to 3p.m. spend your time with family
and friends preferably in South-East direction to warm up personal relations
due to the presence of ‘Fire Element’ in this direction but avoid sitting with
husband in this direction.
3. After listening the ‘Vrat Katha’ at about 4p.m., spend
time with your husband in South-West direction to give stability and growth to
this relationship.
4. At the time of ending the ‘Vrat’, water offerings
(‘Arghya’) and prayers to the Moon, select North-West corner to get blessings
of Moon planet to enhance love and stronger relations with the husband.
5. You should face the North-East or East direction
during the puja.
6. Avoid keeping ‘puja-sthal’ in the bedroom.
May ‘Karwa Chauth’ 2013 Bring
Immense Elation in Your Life!
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