Are you observing Karva Chauth fast for the first time after your engagement? Know the rules, method of worship and important customs related to sieve

The holy festival of Karva Chauth is mainly kept by married women to pray for their husband’s long life, unbroken good fortune and happiness and prosperity. However, due to changing times and deep faith, the trend of observing this fast has increased rapidly even among those girls whose marriage has been fixed or engagement has been done. Keeping a fast for the well-being of your future spouse is considered a symbol of love and dedication. But according to the scriptures and social beliefs, there are some basic and very important differences in the rules for married women and virgin girls who observe fast after engagement. If you have also recently got engaged and you are going to observe this fast for the first time, then it is mandatory to know the special rules and worship method related to it.

The meaning of engagement is that it is believed that the relationship between two souls and families has been fixed, but until the seven rounds of marriage and the marriage ceremony are not completed, from the religious point of view the girl does not fully attain the status of a married woman. For this reason, some relaxations and changes have been made in the rules of fasting:

• Fruitful fasting instead of waterless fasting: Married women observe Nirjala (without food and water) fast from sunrise to moonrise. But it is not considered mandatory for girls observing fast after engagement to observe Nirjala fast. If they wish, they can keep the fast by remaining fasting and taking only water or fruit food (milk, fruits, juice). If your health permits, take a pledge to observe Nirjala fast only.

• Sargi’s rule: On Karva Chauth, mother-in-law gives sargi to her daughter-in-law before sunrise. After the engagement, if the in-laws agree, the would-be mother-in-law can send sargi, which includes fruits, dry fruits, sweets and clothes, to her future daughter-in-law. If sargi does not come from the in-laws’ house, the girl can start the fast by consuming light food or fruits given by her mother.

• Sixteen adornments and symbols of marriage: Unmarried or engaged girls are prohibited from applying vermilion on their forehead, wearing mangalsutra and wearing toe rings, because these are worn only after marriage. You can do satvik makeup by wearing new traditional clothes (like red, pink, yellow or any auspicious colored lehenga or suit), applying mehendi, bangles, bindi and kajal. Avoid wearing black and white colored clothes.

On the day of Karva Chauth, worshiping at an auspicious time in the evening has special significance. Girls observing fast after engagement should keep some special things in mind while preparing the puja thali:

• Establishment of Outpost: Spread a clean stool in the north-east (northeast) direction of the house and place a red or yellow cloth on it. Install the idols of Lord Shiva, Mother Parvati, Kartikeya and Lord Ganesha or the picture of Karva Mata on the post.

• Worship material: Decorate the puja thali with earthen karwa (or copper/brass pot), akshat, kumkum, roli, flowers, incense, lamp, sweets and fruits.

• Story listening: Light a lamp and worship Lord Ganesha and Mother Gauri methodically. After this, listen to the traditional fasting story of Karva Chauth or read it yourself.

• Wishful Prayer: Ask Goddess Parvati for the blessings of love, trust, harmony and long life of your future husband in your future married life.

The biggest confusion remains about whether one should look at the moon or the stars after engagement, and whether a sieve can be used.

• Breaking the fast by offering Arghya to the star: According to the ancient beliefs of Hindu religion, unmarried or engaged girls offer Arghya with water after seeing the first bright star (Venus or Pole Star) that appears in the sky in the evening instead of the Moon. They can break their fast only after offering Arghya. They do not have any strict compulsion to wait long for the moon to rise.

• Do not use strainer: Married women first look at the moon through a sieve and then after seeing the face of their husbands through the same sieve, they drink water from his hand. Since the marriage has not been consummated yet, according to the experts of the scriptures, the ritual of seeing the betrothed girls through a sieve should not be performed. If you want to break the fast after seeing the moon, then offer water directly to the moon or star in the sky and pay obeisance to it.

• How to break the fast: After offering Arghya, offer obeisance to God in the home temple and seek blessings by touching the feet of your parents or elders in the house. After this, break the fast by consuming water and sweets and eating satvik food. If your fiancé is present nearby, he can offer you water; In case of living far away, this moment can be shared through video call by knowing about each other’s condition and taking blessings.

1. Family consent first: Before following any religious tradition, understand the beliefs of your parents and future in-laws. In some families, there is no custom of keeping Karva Chauth before marriage, hence, take a vow of fast only with the consent of both the families.

2. No compromise with health: If you are studying, working or are not used to staying hungry the whole day for the first time, then do not cause unnecessary pain to the body. Emotions and devotion are important in fasting, not harshness.

3. Avoid the ritual of changing Karva: Married women exchange Karve seven times during the puja. This ritual is only for married women, hence engaged girls should avoid participating in the ritual of getting the hair done.

4. Keep a positive and calm mind: On the day of fasting, stay away from any kind of debate, negative thoughts or anger. Spend the day with peace and devotion, wishing well for your future life.