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In the Hindu calendar, October and November are filled with festivals and celebrations. Following Navratri and Dussehra, preparations for Diwali and Govardhan Puja begin in full swing. However, nestled between these major festivals is Karwa Chauth, which holds special significance for married women in northern India. Karwa Chauth, in particular, is a day when women fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying for the health and longevity of their husbands.
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In addition to rituals and prayers, many households prepare traditional meals to break the fast. Among the many dishes, kadhi chawal, a yoghurt-based curry served with rice, holds a special place. This year, Slurrp spoke to married women who have been observing Karwa Chauth for decades to explore the tradition of making Kadhi Chawal. Each household has its own unique style of preparation, accompaniments, and rituals. Through this article, we take you through the Karwa Chauth experience, from fasting to feasting.
Significance Of Karwa Chauth Fasting
For many women, it is a day filled with rituals, fasting, love, and devotion. Women wake up early in the morning, before sunrise, to eat their sargi, a special meal prepared by their mothers-in-law to help sustain them throughout the day.
"My sargi always includes dry fruits and sevai. These light yet nourishing foods help me get through the fast without feeling too drained," says Mrs. Meena Nigam from Uttar Pradesh, who has been observing the fast for 24 years.
The Ritual Of Karwa Chauth Katha In The Evening
In the evening, after a long day of fasting, women gather to listen to Karwa Chauth Katha, a story that explains the significance of the fast and the rituals involved.
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"For the last 4 to 5 years, I have been hosting the katha at my home. Married women from the neighbourhood dress up in sarees or lehengas, adorned with jewellery and mehndi on their hands, and come to listen to the story. An elderly woman from the community narrates the story while each woman brings a pot of water with a handful of rice. As they listen, they drop one or two grains into their pots. Later, the Jal is offered towards the sun by each woman, and the leftover rice is mixed into the Jal in the Karwa (an earthen pot) during the 'Arghya' ceremony, after which it is offered to the moon," shared Mrs. Poonam Kaushik, who has been observing the fast for 26 years.
Why Kadhi Chawal?
Once the fast is complete and the moon is sighted, women break their fast with a meal that is both soothing and nourishing. Kadhi chawal, a comforting dish made of a yoghurt-based curry and rice, is a common choice for many households.
“After listening to the story (katha ), I start preparing kadhi chawal in the evening itself. It’s a family tradition to break the fast with this dish because it’s light, comforting, and easy to digest after a long day without food,” explains Mrs. Asha Sharma, who has been fasting for 32 years.
Kadhi chawal’s simplicity and warmth make it an ideal meal to reintroduce food into the body after hours of fasting, providing nourishment without being too heavy.
Personal Touches And Special Ingredients
While kadhi chawal is simple in nature, each household has its own unique way of preparing the dish. Many women learn the recipe from their mothers or mothers-in-law, adding their own touches as they continue the tradition.
“My mother taught me how to make kadhi chawal when I got married. I use a special Rajasthani hing (asafoetida) that adds a different aroma and flavour. I also use khada masala (whole spices) for extra richness,” shares Mrs. Pushpa Chauhan from Ghaziabad, reflecting on her 23 years of Karwa Chauth celebrations.
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Others, like Mrs. Kavita Kaushik, bring even more variation to the dish: “I like to make kadhi with a double tadka. In the second tadka, I add tomatoes and Kashmiri red chilli, and I simmer tender pakoras in the kadhi. It adds depth to the flavour and makes the dish even more satisfying.”
Cooking On An Empty Stomach: The Challenges And Motivation
Cooking on an empty stomach can be difficult, but many women are motivated by love and devotion to their families. Despite fasting, the joy of breaking the fast with loved ones keeps them going in the kitchen.
"I don't have a problem with an empty stomach, as I don't feel too hungry, but water is something I really crave," says Mrs. Meena Nigam, who has been observing the fast for 24 years.
Breaking The Fast: Rituals And Accompaniments
When the moon is sighted, women offer Arghya to the moon by pouring water as a prayer for their husbands' long lives. After this, the fast is broken with a light meal.
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"I start by drinking water and then have something light, usually a piece of sweet brought by my husband, before sitting down to enjoy kadhi chawal," shares Mrs. Pushpa Chauhan.
Each family has its own preferences and traditions when it comes to the accompaniments served with kadhi chawal. "We serve dahi bhalle, puri, and pua (also known as pitaua in Uttar Pradesh) with kadhi chawal to make it a complete meal," says Mrs. Meena Nigam. Furthermore, Mrs. Lalita Mishra and Mrs. Pushpa Chauhan add, "In our home, we always serve dry aloo sabzi (also known as aloo bhujia) with kadhi chawal."
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Sweet Indulgence
A festival is incomplete without a sweet indulgence. While many women prepare kadhi chawal at home, sweets are often purchased from local shops. "Most of the sweets, like kaju barfi and laddoo, are bought by our husbands from the sweet shop. It saves time and still adds a sweet touch to the day," concludes Mrs. Pushpa Chauhan, Mrs. Lalita Mishra, Mrs. Kavita Kaushik, Mrs. Meena Nigam, Mrs. Poonam Kaushik, and Mrs. Asha Sharma.
