The idea behind Karva Chauth is very sweet and noble, and some very intelligent person must have thought of it long ago. Girls (sometimes barely teenagers) used to get married, 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. Her own parents and relatives would be quite far and unreachable. There used to be no telephones, buses and trains long ago. People had to walk almost a whole day to go from one place to other barely twenty miles apart. Once the girl left her parents' home for in-laws, she might not be back before more than a year's time.
Thus the custom started that, at the time of marriage, when bride would reach her in-laws, she would befriend another woman 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. Note that the bride's friend would usually be of the same age (or slightly older), married into the same village (so that she would not go away) and not directly related to her in-laws (so there was no conflict of interest later). As a religious duty on their part, bride's in-laws would pre-appoint (even before the bride reached there) a suitable and reliable woman for this job (as the bride's would-be friend).
Once the bride and this woman had become god-friends or god-sisters, they would remain so all their lives and recognize the relation as such. 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. Moreover, bride's parents would treat her friend just like their own daughter. And in the new village -- where there daughter would spend her life -- they would have another social contact in addition to the bride's in-laws. This new relationship could always come in handy for them in emergency situations involving their daughter and her in-laws or husband. Emotionally and psychologically, it would be very healthy and comforting for the bride to have her own 'relative' (god-sister) living next door in the strange and new village. What a fantastic idea it was!
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 of starting this holy friendship between two god-sisters was essentially the day of bride's marriage to him. Thus praying and fasting for him by his wife during a celebration of her relationship with the god-friend would be quite logical.
A few days before Karva Chauth, married women would buy new karvas (spherical clay pots) -- 7"-9" in diameter and 2-3 litres capacity -- and paint them on the outside with beautiful designs. Inside (filling the karva half to three-quarters), they would put bangles and ribbons, home-made candy and sweets (rice krispees etc.), make-up items (mascara etc.), and small clothes (e.g. handkerchief). The women (god-friends and god-sisters) would then visit each other on the day of Karva Chauth or immediately afterwards, and exchange these karvas.
Have a Happy Karva Chauth Day!
