Talking about the preparations for the pious day Big B, yesterday, wrote on his blog:
The ladies have gone to bed early. Its ‘Karvachauth' tomorrow, the day they shall pray for the long and prosperous life of their husbands. They will be up by 4 am for the ‘Sargi', when decked in all their fineries they shall have specially cooked food and then fast the entire day, till they see the moon at night.
The men shall be sent to various vantage points by the evening, to try and spot the moon so the ordeal that their wives have been through, eases. The moon is not seen by the ladies directly. They will see it through a sieve. The sieve that sifts the flour before it is moistened and baked to make our ‘roti'.
‘Divas' made of the ‘ata', or the moistened flour shall be thrown over the shoulder as they put their backs to the moon, a small prayer will follow, they shall touch the husbands feet and finally will be fed by his hands ; generally an Indian sweet meat.
During the day there will be a narration of the reasons why the fast is held and the mythological stories shall be backed by the playing of specially recorded songs for the moment, if the group of ladies that collect at a common house, are not accustomed to singing it themselves.
For most of the day, the wives shall remain dressed in bridal clothing. Those that are not married, often follow this routine in order that they may get good husbands.
Indian culture and custom are so endearing and warming to the heart. I guess every culture has something in it that
stands out, that brings joy and happiness with it, else it would not be called culture or tradition.
How wonderfully our forefathers and their forefathers thought about these customs and how wonderfully generation after generation has followed it through with belief and resolve. What are we in this generation believing in ?
What is our resolve ? And what are we leaving behind for those that will come after us in the generations to come. Our teachings and our scriptures are elements that have been foremost in the efforts made to carry forward.
Customs and rites have been through the years, classical music in India because it is not written has passed from one master to the pupil, as have dance forms.
This tradition of passing on, of teaching and educating the next generation has to some extent protected these old and valued crafts. But what exactly are we leaving behind other than this.
